Modern Family fans collectively sighed in adoration over the reunion of cast members Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his TV daughter, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons.
Ferguson played gay father and husband Mitchell for the entire series since it started in 2009.
The role of Mitchell and his husband Cameron Tucker's adopted Vietnamese daughter Lily was played by Anderson-Emmons from the third season of the show until its 11th and final season.
Last week, Ferguson saw his now-grown "pretend daughter" in her high school musical production, and he shared a photo commemorating their reunion.
He wrote in the caption:
"Got to see my talented pretend daughter @aubreyandersonemmons in her high school production of THE BURN."
The 48-year-old actor shares two children, Beckett and Sullivan, with his husband, lawyer Justin Mikita.
Ferguson recalled how his TV daughter was nearly the same age as his real-life son Beckett, who is 3, when he first began working with Anderson-Emmons.
He continued:
"It's crazy to think Aubrey was just a few months older than Beckett when I met her! Look at her now!!!"
"Congrats, Aubrey! You were SO great! Love you! You make a pretend papa proud."
Anderson-Emmons, who is now 16, expressed her gratitude.
@jessetyler/Instagram
Ferguson responded with:
"Love you kiddo."
@jessetyler/Instagram
Friends and colleagues got all the feels from Ferguson's post.
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
@jessetyler/Instagram
Even though the show wrapped over three years ago, Modern Family cast members have not become distant off-screen.
Ferguson's onscreen hubby Eric Stonestreet paid him a long-overdue visit.
In a fun Father's Day post, actress Sarah Hyland, who played the eldest sibling of the Dunphys, paid tribute to all her dads: her dad, father-in-law, and Ty Burrell, who played Phil Dunphy.
A TV family that pretends together stays together.
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