Joanna Gaines has shared a rare video of a momentous occasion for the Gaines family.
Daughter Ella is a high school graduate!
In an Instagram video posted Sunday, May 25, Joanna shows a video of Ella Rose Gaines getting her diploma.
Joanna has put the touching Cyndi Lauper song “Time After Time” under the video, which has audio of Ella’s name being announced as she takes the stage. Then the Gaines crew bursts into cheers. Just before Ella’s name is announced, the camera cuts to a clearly emotional Joanna holding up her phone, videoing the moment. Joanna captioned the post, “So very proud ❤️💙❤️”
The video also shows the Class of 2025 grads shooting streamers in the air and fireworks lighting up the night sky. The video ends with Joanna giving her older daughter a big hug.
Chip Gaines Says “Sky’s the Limit” for Daughter Ella
So what’s next for Ella Rose Gaines?
While older brother Drake Gaines is pursuing a degree in business entrepreneurship at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, less than an hour from Waco where the Gaines live, Ella is another story.
In an interview with Today.com, Chip said that Ella is exploring colleges farther from home.
“We can’t wait for her to decide. Ella has thought about Korea, she’s thought about sunny Southern California,” Chip says. “She’s not going to be in the Central Texas area when she goes on to her next chapter. She seems excited to be able to spread her wings and do something very unique and outside the bubble.”
Chip says Ella is interested in studying business and digital design.
He describes his oldest daughter as “engaged and thoughtful.” And apparently very independent.
“With Drake, we needed to send him to college to teach him basic survival skills, like how to do laundry,” Chip told Today.com. “Ella is on the exact opposite end of the spectrum. It feels like we’re sending this young lady off to become the next president of the United States. It’s very the sky’s the limit with Ella.”
Joanna Gaines Turns to Her Garden for Solace
In an Instagram post that Joanna put up just two hours after posting the graduation video, the mom of five finds comfort during all the changes from both her garden, and her youngest child, 6-year-old son Crew.
In the video, Crew is seen walking through the garden with three yellow ducklings following him closely. Joanna fills a bucket with fresh flowers as Crew and his “crew” help.
In the caption, Joanna writes, “Fun, busy graduation weekend. So hard to believe we’ll have two kids in college this August. I’ll be soaking up this season the best I know how—starting with this summer bouquet from the garden. 💚”
It’s an Emotional Season for Joanna Gaines
Joanna Gaines has been open about how watching her own chicks leave the nest has been emotional for her.
“I was so sad,” Joanna told PEOPLE when oldest son Drake moved out. “I couldn’t believe how it hit me because Chip always says I’m not super emotional. I’m pretty steady. But, I think just the idea that I realize that one move out with that one kid, it triggers something now where it starts feeling everything goes fast.”
And it’s not getting easier with the second one. “How do I prepare my own heart for it?” she continued, referring to Ella leaving for college this fall. “It’s like you’re losing the one that you go on the weekends to get coffee with and shop at the antique stores. I’m like, ‘Where’s my friend going?’ It’s just being okay with the shift and letting go of what was, and just being excited for what’s to come.”
In an Instagram post Joanna put up just days before Ella’s graduation, the Magnolia Network and HGTV star put up a video of youngest son Crew, 6, peeking at a songbird nest on their farm.
In the caption, she wrote, “This songbird must be proud. She created a home and nurtured her babies and then ushered them to fly towards the big blue skies.
Praying for all you mamas who are planning and prepping for graduation.
We did our very best. They will soar.
May we hold gratitude for all that was and carry hope for all that’s to come.✨
Oh what tension and beauty there is in the holding and letting go.”
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Chip & Joanna Gaines Have Another Grad [VIDEO]