:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Jenelle-Evans-Jace-16th-birthday-080525-03520288c07e42b9ae83461a34288990.jpg)
NEED TO KNOW
- Jenelle Evans is celebrating her oldest, Jace, on his 16th birthday
- Jace recently returned to living with the Teen Mom alum after time living with dad Andrew Lewis in Florida
- Jenelle is also mom to son Kaiser, 11, whom she shares with ex Nathan Griffith, and daughter Ensley, 8, whom she shares with ex-husband David Eason
Jenelle Evans is celebrating the man her son is becoming.
The mom of three and reality TV alum, 33, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram in celebration of son Jace’s 16th birthday. Janelle’s parenthood journey was first documented on 16 & Pregnant and later on Teen Mom.
“To the young man that made me a mother 😭🎉🎂 #HappyBirthday Jace, 16 years young!” she began.
“You’re the most ambitious and caring boy I know. Seeing you get through trials and tribulations of life and still come out on top makes me so proud! ❤️.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Speaking with PEOPLE last month, the mom of three opened up about Jace’s return to North Carolina — where she resides with son Kaiser, 11, whom she shares with ex Nathan Griffith, and daughter Ensley, 8, whom she shares with ex-husband David Eason — after time living with his dad, Andrew Lewis, in Florida.
“He’s doing good, he’s back at home, he’s not living with his father,” she shared of the teen. “He’ll be starting 11th grade. And he’s just been, you know, he’s been getting into skateboarding recently, so that’s his thing.”
Jenelle shared that it’s been “really crazy” watching as her firstborn son “transitions from a little boy to a young man.”
“It just flies by so quick,” she shared. Laughing, she added, “So I’m just really cherishing every moment I can before he turns 18 and decides to leave.”
The mom of three is embarking on her own new chapter, with her divorce from David Eason being finalized last month.
“After a really long and draining process, my divorce from David is official,” Jenelle told PEOPLE in a statement.
“This chapter has been heavy, but I’m walking away from it with clarity, strength and so much love for my kids,” she continued. “My focus is on them and our future and I’m just thankful to finally have peace and a fresh start.”