Heidi Klum shares rare and never-before-seen throwback photos of daughter Lou on her 17th birthday

Heidi Klum marked her daughter Lou’s 17th birthday with a heartwarming post that featured a photo of the two lying side-by-side when Lou was just a baby. Sharing the adorable picture, the supermodel penned an emotional birthday wish, writing, “Happy 17th birthday my darling Lou. I love you so very much and I am so proud of you and everything you do. Where has all the time gone?” In addition to Lou, Klum is also mom to daughter Leni, 22, and sons Henry, 21, and Johan, 19.

Klum's birthday tribute also featured an adorable throwback photo featuring all four of her then-young children. The supermodel can be seen lying on the bed while cradling a tiny Lou in her arms and holding a young Leni. Her sons Henry and Johan can also be seen cuddled up on each side of the trio.

Another photo in the carousel showed toddler Lou enjoying a meal in her high chair alongside her mother and three siblings at the dining table. These throwback photos highlighted the close-knit bond the now 17-year-old shared with her family growing up.

Heidi Klum also included her 80-year-old mother, Erna, in the birthday celebrations, sharing photos of her posing with baby Lou. Erna has supported her daughter over the years, even occasionally stepping in as a photographer for Heidi’s personal photos. Fans have also frequently pointed out the striking resemblance between Heidi and Erna, often describing the mother-daughter duo as twins in their shared photographs.

In another picture, a young Lou can be seen brightly smiling for the camera. Heidi Klum previously revealed that Lou is the only one of her four children who shares her love for Halloween. The 'Germany’s Next Top Model' host is famous for her annual Halloween bash and spends months planning and perfecting her elaborate costume each year. In 2021, she told PEOPLE that Lou had inherited her love for the holiday, “I was hoping that I would pass this on even to my kids, but out of four, there’s only one that really is going for it, and that’s Lou."

In one photo, Lou and Klum were seen enjoying fun activities in the water. The mother-daughter duo was photographed inside a yellow tube while spending quality time with each other. Klum's tribute to Lou comes just days after they made a joint appearance at Paris Fashion Week, marking Lou's debut at the event.

Klum also made sure to live up to the occasion by including a photo of what appeared to be Lou's past birthday celebration. In the image, a toddler Lou can be seen wearing a birthday hat while seated in a high chair, surrounded by her three siblings, Leni, Henry and Johan.

Perhaps one of the sweetest photos in the slideshow is of Klum and her four young children posing for the camera while wearing matching fuchsia pink outfits. Speaking about motherhood earlier this year, the proud mother-of-four said, "Before being a TV personality, a producer or a UNICEF Ambassador, I am a mother first. Children have always been my number one priority." The supermodel welcomed her eldest daughter, Leni, in 2004. Her ex-husband Seal officially adopted her in 2009. The pair went on to welcome their first son, Henry, in 2005 and second son, Johan, in 2006. Their youngest daughter, Lou, arrived in 2009.