Hilary Duff Shares a Sweet Message for Her Lookalike Son Luca on His 13th Birthday – Photos

The "Younger" star opened up about how often people share their thoughts on what kind of person her son is, offering a glimpse into her life as a mom of a teenager.

Hilary Duff celebrated a special milestone as her son, Luca Cruz, officially became a teenager. Fans were quick to join in, flooding the comments with well-wishes and admiration for the proud mom and her lookalike son.

On Thursday, March 20, the 37-year-old marked her son's 13th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post containing a series of touching photos. The pictures captured moments from Luca's early days as a newborn, through his toddler years, and as a caring big brother spending time with his sisters.

"Wow- is time ever a thief. I thought ten years of being a mom felt wild…yet here I am at my son’s 13th birthday. I can’t go anywhere without people telling me what a nice kid Luca is. Sweet, heart facing forward with the coolest point of view," she gushed.

The actress reflected on her son's growth and highlighted Luca's passion for soccer, his talent for drawing, and his gift for writing.

She also noted his newfound interest in history and expressed admiration for his knowledge, which often surpassed her own due to her unconventional schooling experience.

"It’s so cool to see his interest shift, his confidence grow…his sure footedness and knowing being learned. My only son. I love you more than the moon and as far as all the stars in the sky [sic]," she continued.

Hilary Duff highlighted the moments she treasures most with Luca, from simply hanging out and exchanging texts to having late-night kitchen chats.

She also shared her joy in driving him around, cheering him on at soccer games, and bonding over their favorite hip-hop tracks, including songs by Kendrick Lamar and Lil Tecca.

"The kind of big brother you are is the best Your smile is the best Your humor is the best. you being fully YOU is the best. Being your mom is the BEST HAPPY 13 Angel, forever standing by to cheer you on. ♥️-mom,[sic]" the proud mom of four concluded.

Fans quickly joined Hilary, celebrating the milestone and gushing over how much Luca resembles his mom. One fan couldn't believe the striking resemblance, saying, "Baby, that's your male twin. Okay? You spit him right out!" Another echoed the sentiment, "Img [sic] he looks just like you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️"

The similarities were undeniable, with someone else pointing out, "He is the spitting image of you! Same smile and everything, so sweet! 💕💕💕 happy birthday Luca!" More fans concurred sweetly, "He is so your mini-me @hilaryduff!! Such a cute kid! Happy Birthday, Luca! 🎉🥳🎂"

Another fan was amazed by how much Luca had grown, writing, "Stop lying he was a toddler like 2 days ago." Others were equally surprised, with one fan remarking, "How is he this tall already?! Happy bday [sic] Luca!! 🥳"

Luca is the eldest child and only son of Hilary, born on March 20, 2012, during her marriage to ex-husband Mike Comrie. Hilary is also a proud mom to three daughters, Banks Violet, Mae James, and Townes Meadow, whom she shares with her husband, Matthew Koma.

Banks was born on October 25, 2018, Mae on March 24, 2021, and Townes on May 3, 2024. While Hilary's acting career spans four decades, it is her role as a mother that makes her shine the brightest.

Becoming a mom at a young age came with its challenges for Hilary. Without friends who had babies yet, she often felt isolated. However, with years of working behind her, stepping into motherhood seemed like a natural progression.

She had always known that being a mom would be her top priority, leaving her feeling both prepared and uncertain. But the real fear set in when she became pregnant, as countless "what ifs" clouded her mind.

After welcoming her son, she experienced a significant loss of identity for the first year and a half. It wasn’t necessarily negative, but moments of sadness crept in as she adjusted to how all-consuming motherhood could be.

Life at home with a baby looked far different from what she had imagined, at times overwhelming and isolating, yet undeniably beautiful. Today, the actress believes that balancing parenthood and work is all about timing and setting priorities. She acknowledges that while it can be tough, compartmentalizing is key.

"I think working is so great as a parent. I appreciate my kids so much more when I've had adult time, and I've used my brain in other ways or my energy towards my art," she shared. By pursuing her passions outside of motherhood, she finds fulfillment in both her career and family life.

"I just love watching my kids form into their own individual unique selves. I love my loud household with mayhem and the craziness and all the love and all the dirt," she enthused.

Additionally, Hilary noted that her experience as a mom of four has made parenting feel smoother. She finds the family’s schedule and dynamic to be natural, and she feels confident in her role as a mother. The actress believes everyone’s personal needs are well met, and their family feels complete.

"And actually everybody gets along really well. Well, Banks and Mae maybe fight the most right now, but they're the closest in age," she revealed.

When it comes to parenting with her husband, she said, "I love [parenting] with my husband. I love feeling like hugs and cuddles can make everything better." Matthew and Hilary take turns being the firm parent. Duff acknowledged that she can sometimes be quicker to set boundaries, especially after a day filled with constant “mom” calls.

She shared how, during a trip to Paris, the kids shifted their attention to Matthew, calling for “dad” just as much. While Matthew initially found it amusing, he soon understood the overwhelming experience. Generally, Hilary believes their strength as parents lies in their ability to step back and assess where they’re needed most.

With this approach, she embraces the pressure that comes with juggling daily responsibilities. This helps her find fulfillment in the moments when, despite the chaos, everyone is fed, happy, and tucked in at the end of the day.

Furthermore, as much as the kids often gravitate towards her, she finds it endearing that her husband doesn’t take it personally, at least most of the time. She admits that while it occasionally stings for him, he remains supportive, always stepping up to help when she needs to head out the door.