Mark Consuelos has had a lot of roles in his 50 years on the planet.
Star of now-defunct daytime soap opera All My Children. Roles on American Horror Story, Kingdom and The Night Shift (just to name a few). Resident zaddy on Riverdale.
But, as he'd likely tell you himself, none of these gigs even hold a candle to the role of father to his three children with wife Kelly Ripa. After meeting on the set of AMC in 1995—where her Hayley Vaughan fell in love with his Mateo Santos—life imitated art, and the two eloped on May 1, 1996. A year later, they welcomed their first child, son Michael Joseph. Daughter Lola Grace would arrive in 2001, followed by Joaquin Antonio in 2003.
As their kids have blossomed into young adults themselves, with mom sharing stories about their lives on daily television all along the way, the Ripa-Consuelos household has grown into something of a national obsession. Maybe it's their startling good looks or their charming charisma. Maybe it's just the way Lola isn't afraid to read her parents to filth on the internet.
Or maybe it's just the way they seem to truly, deeply love one another.
"We had our kids so young—we'd only been married for one year when we had Michael, so we have had kids pretty much our entire marriage," Kelly told People last August. "So when it comes to an empty nest, we're looking forward to it, honestly—knowing that they'll still be close to us, and they will come home, and we will still have plenty of times together ahead. We love each other—but we also really like each other, and we respect each other. I don't think any amount of college or growing up will take that away from us."
Whatever it is, we can't get enough.
So, wee thought we'd celebrate Mark's big day with a look back at some of his family's cutest moments.
For the first September in at least 20 years that she didn't have a kid to see off to school, Kelly filled the void with a throwback from 2008.
Looks like Michael's about to get the drop on his little sister in this pic their dad shared on Lola's 19th birthday in 2020.
Joaquin is surrounded by love at his high school graduation.
"Looks like @instasuelos just found out he won't be @joaquinconsuelos roommate in the fall," Kelly teased during a trip to Ann Arbor before Joaquin started at University of Michigan.
Kelly took a few days off in March 2022 to watch the Wolverines compete in the Division 1 Wrestling Championships in Detroit.
Still a freshman, Joaquin didn't wrestle this time, but still, Kelly said on Live upon her return, "It took years off my life watching these young men."
The whole family finally made it to Greece and Italy in June 2021 after the pandemic had other plans in 2020.
"Last year's graduation trip for our oldest son and niece was delayed long enough to become a graduation trip for the family newborns as well," Kelly shared.
This family pic from their Mediterranean getaway turned out so well, Kelly made it their 2021 holiday card.
"Happy Easter from the year 2012 because Lola approved this photo," Kelly captioned this throwback, never missing a chance to tease her perpetually appalled teen on social media.
Mark wished the "spectacular women" in his life a happy International Women's Day.
"Happy Valentine's Day to the loves of my life!" Kelly wrote from the heart on Feb. 14, 2022.
Kelly celebrated the fruits of her labor on National Sons Day, Sept. 28, 2021.
Kelly and Mark's eldest child, son Michael Consuelos, 24 at the time, posted this sweet throwback photo of him and his mom on her 51st birthday in 2021, writing, "Happy Birthday, Mom!! I hope you have the greatest day ever. You're a badass and an inspiration to everyone. Also, when I call you a T. Rex, I mean it as a compliment. You should know that by now."
In August 2020, Kelly Ripa shared an epic recreation of an old family photo from 2003 on Instagram. With youngest son Joaquin on her lap and older kids Michael and Lola perfectly in place, we'd say they nailed it despite the fact that, as Kelly noted, "objects may appear larger."
In May 2020, Kelly and Mark celebrated eldest son Michael's graduation—albeit a virtual one, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic—from New York University. Marking the occasion, Kelly wrote on Instagram, "And just like that you graduated college. MJC, the joy and pride you have brought our family is indescribable. I love you with all my heart."
From kids to teenagers! "#tbt 2011 vs. 2019 Les murs sont devenus plus petits," Kelly shared in an Instagram post that showed just how much her kids have grown.
"The Graduate #2019," Kelly wrote on Instagram celebrating Lola's final days of high school.
Kelly receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 was an all-hands-on-deck event.
Kelly matched her son's gown and the flowers at Joaquin's middle school graduation.
When your family is this beautiful, you would likely be posing for selfies more often than not too.
Holidays always bring family together and this famous crew is no exception.
Back in 2003, Kelly and husband Mark Consuelos celebrated the opening night for A Year With Frog and Toad at Maxine's in New York City.
Back in 2001, Mark and Kelly took their son to the ATLANTIS The Lost Empire premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
Whether they are traveling somewhere hot and tropical or cool and snowy, this family always knows how to have a good time.
This story was originally published on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 at 9:20 a.m. PT.