Sweet sixteen looks a little different when your parents are Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.—but at its core, it’s still all about family, laughter, and love. The Hollywood couple, who’ve been married for over 20 years, recently celebrated their daughter Charlotte’s milestone birthday, and the celebration had fans smiling almost as much as the birthday girl herself.
On September 19, Gellar marked her daughter’s big day with a heartfelt Instagram post that blended humor, nostalgia, and motherly pride. The 48-year-old actress shared throwback photos of baby Charlotte alongside the reveal of her jaw-dropping gift: a sleek black Jeep Rubicon wrapped in a giant red bow. Not your average sweet sixteen present, but then again, Charlotte isn’t your average teen.
“16 years ago today, you made me a mom,” Gellar wrote. “A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. Charlotte, you are that and so much more.” She praised her teen for her strength, kindness, wit, and originality before ending with the kind of mom-joke only Gellar could pull off: “I’m equally excited to finally be your passenger PRINZEss.”
A Peek Inside the Party
Gellar also gave fans a glimpse of Charlotte’s birthday bash, which included sparklers, balloons, and of course, that shiny new ride. The vibe was a mix of sparkle and grounded family tradition that mirrors how Sarah and Freddie approach parenting.
Despite their Hollywood résumés, the pair have always emphasized keeping things normal for Charlotte and her younger brother Rocky, 12. That means rules, routines, and plenty of unplugged family time.
The Family Philosophy: Food, Fun, and No Phones
Earlier this year, Sarah told E! News that dinner is sacred in their home. Phones stay off the table, and the focus stays on the conversation. “It’s a moment of connection,” she explained, emphasizing how important it is to slow down and be present as a family.
That doesn’t mean the Prinze-Gellar household is all structured. There’s plenty of room for fun, too, which includes board games, basketball in the driveway, and activities that encourage their kids to live beyond their screens. “Having activities for these kids is really important because it does give them something outside where they’re not on these devices,” Sarah shared.
A Love Story That Keeps on Giving
It’s hard not to smile at this family milestone without thinking back to where it all began. Sarah and Freddie first crossed paths on the set of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" in 1997, and by 2002, they were married. More than two decades later, their love story has evolved into one of Hollywood’s rare long-haul success stories.
Whether it’s cooking dinner together, keeping phones off at the table, or cheering their kids on in activities, they’re modeling balance.