Joanna Gaines had a special reason to gather the troops over the weekend.
This weekend, the Magnolia founder's father, Jerry Stevens, rang in his 76th trip around the sun, for which she reunited with her sisters.
The home renovation guru is originally from Wichita, Kansas, and one of three daughters of Jerry and his wife Nan Stevens, who are also parents to Mary Kay McCall and Teresa Criswell.
In honor of Jerry's special day, Joanna took to Instagram and shared a round of photos of her dad over the years, starting off with the latest from his birthday celebration, which features him sitting on a chair with a birthday cake in front of him, and his wife and daughters standing behind him.
Joanna next shared a photo of him posing with a feast of food made for his special day, followed by one of the two together.
She also included some groovy throwback photos, including of him in military gear as well as classic 1970s garb.
© Instagram"Happy 76th Birthday, Dad!" she wrote in her caption, adding: "Your girls love you so much. We are so grateful for your love, faith, strength, wisdom and kindness. Here's to the very best year yet."
Fans were then quick to take to the comments section under the post and gush over it, with one writing: "You look so much like your dad," as others followed suit with: "Dads are the best. Happy Birthday!!" and: "Happy Birthday! We're so thankful for the many gifts of your talented daughter. Such an inspiration for so many including me," as well as: "Awesome photos, what a full and beautiful life. Happy 76th!"
Joanna's parents Nan and Jerry met while the latter was stationed in South Korea in 1969, and eventually made their way to Waco, Texas.
© InstagramAfter Joanna opened up in her book The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters about her childhood, and growing up in the midwest as the daughter of an immigrant, she also reflected on times when her family received hate and harassment over their Asian heritage.
© InstagramSpeaking with The Hollywood Reporter in 2023, she noted: "Growing up as half-Asian, half-Caucasian, I get what that feels like to not be accepted and to not be loved. That's the last thing I want anyone to ever feel."
"My mom is so tough, but with one look or comment, I would just see her shut down," she recalled, adding: "That's why she didn't know how to help me when I would come home and say, 'So-and-so called me this.' It was also happening to her."
