Lily Collins has officially become a mother, sharing the exciting news of her first child’s arrival with her followers on Friday.
The Emily In Paris star posted an adorable photo of her newborn, Tove Jane McDowell, to her Instagram, along with a heartfelt message about the birth.
Welcoming Baby Tove Into the World
Lily Collins, who is married to filmmaker Charlie McDowell, shared the joyful news with her fans, writing, “Welcome to the center of our world, Tove Jane McDowell.
Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way.
We love you to the moon and back again.”
In her Instagram post, Lily included a sweet snapshot of Tove lying peacefully in a soft bassinet, her tiny body nestled in a beige onesie, with a gray knit hat decorated with delicate floral designs.
The photo also showed a personalized blanket with Tove’s name stitched in gold, adding a personal touch to the special moment.
According to reports, Tove was born earlier this week via surrogacy in Northern California, and Charlie’s parents, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, were seen visiting the newborn shortly after her birth.
Lily and Charlie’s Surrogacy Journey
The couple had kept their surrogacy journey private, only revealing the details after Tove’s birth.
Their decision to use a surrogate came after the couple had previously expressed their desire to start a family.
Charlie shared in an October 2024 interview that they were looking forward to expanding their family, adding, “We would like to move into that next stage, so we’ll see when it happens!”
The couple’s desire for children seems to have been inspired by more than just personal goals.
Their daughter’s first name, Tove, is a tribute to the Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, best known for her beloved Moomin series.
Lily has long been a fan of Jansson’s work and even co-hosted a podcast exploring the Moomin stories in 2023.
She shared her admiration for Jansson’s writing, stating that the themes of equality, nature, and adventure resonated with her deeply.
A Romance That Began in 2019
Lily and Charlie’s love story began in 2019 when they met during the development of the film Gilded Rage, a project that ultimately didn’t come to fruition.
However, their professional connection quickly blossomed into romance.
Lily shared on Live With Kelly And Ryan that when she met Charlie, she knew he was the one, saying, “It was one of those situations where I knew the second I met him that I wanted to be his wife one day.”
Their relationship grew stronger, and by late 2019, the couple adopted a rescue dog named Redford.
Their romance became even more public in 2020 when they got engaged.
Lily shared a photo of the proposal, showing off her engagement ring against the stunning backdrop of New Mexico.
The Couple’s Growing Family and Future Plans
Now, with the arrival of Tove, Lily and Charlie are entering a new chapter of their lives together.
Their love for each other and their growing family is evident in their shared moments, both on social media and in public appearances.
Fans are eagerly following their journey as new parents and celebrating the love and joy that Tove’s arrival brings.
Lily and Charlie’s bond continues to inspire, and they are undoubtedly excited about this new adventure in their lives as a family of three.