Solange Knowles is on the receiving end of some well-earned love from her son this Mother’s Day.
The singer and actress, 39, shares one son, Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr., aka Julez Smith, with her ex-husband Daniel Smith. The 21-year-old is now a working model, carving out his own career in the spotlight separate from other members of his famous family.
© InstagramOn Sunday, May 10, Julez took to Instagram with a collection of throwback photos of himself with his mom, leading with a snap of Solange on the beach with a baby Julez.
Dressed in a beige cut-out one-piece swimsuit, with her son wearing a white cowboy hat on top of his beach attire, Solange’s resemblance to her older sister Beyoncé came through tremendously, especially in the facial features and the wavy hair.
Her signature style shone through more in several follow-up photos, including her trademark curls, and her couture sensibilities. Julez also included a touching message for his mom.
“My Mom, My Best friend, My Culture Creator. My Cancer Crab Queen. The heartbeat in my heart. The reason I can claim I’m fly. The reason I know what love is. You’ve been there through every moment bad or good. You’ve given me every lesson that I can think of. Love, your son!”
Solange commented on the sweet tribute: “Each memory so vivid, each path we’ve traveled together….I love u tenfold.”
The “Cranes in the Sky” hitmaker comes from a large network of love and motherhood. Her sister Beyoncé is herself a mom-of-three, and she also has two “bonus sisters” in Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, who began living with the Knowles family when she was 11, and her cousin Angie Beyincé, all of whom were raised by Tina Knowles.
Back in 2015, the Matriarch author wrote an open letter to her daughters on Mother’s Day for TIME, in which she penned: “When I was asked to write an open letter to you, I thought about the hundreds of texts and emails that I have sent to you on holidays and on Sundays, when I ask you to say a prayer to thank God for each other.”
© Instagram“Every day, I wake up thinking about how much I love, admire and cherish each of you,” she continued. “I gave birth to two of you, but I have four incredible daughters. Writing this brought to mind all the ways you guys have been such a blessing to me.”
For Solange specifically, she penned: “Solange, I knew when you were born three days late that you would walk to the beat of your own drum. You were always my rebel warrior! Always defending the underdog and fighting for what you believe in.”
© Instagram“I remember you, at 10 years old, started a petition to remove a bad teacher, and your dad and I were so proud of you. I love that you do not let others define who you are, or what you are. Whether in your music, fashion or your life, you truly are your own incredible, unapologetic person! As tough as you are, you will drop everything to take care of someone you love.”