Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright really went all-in for their son Cruz Cauchi’s 5th birthday, despite the divorce that’s still sitting in the background. They’re co-parents and exes, sure—but on April 12, the day belonged to Cruz, and both parents made that pretty obvious.
Jax, who’s an alum of The Valley, posted a flood of photos to Instagram on Cruz’s birthday. In the pictures, Cruz is front and center—hanging on Jax’s back in a swimming pool, laughing, smiling for individual snapshots. The caption was all dad-mode: “I can’t believe you’re already five. You have brought more love and laughter and meaning to my life than you can ever possibly imagine, especially these past two years,” he wrote. “Every time we are together, it’s the best part of my life.”
Then he kept going, getting even more personal. “Being your dad is the greatest gift I have ever had. I am beyond proud of you – your strength, your big heart, and the way you see the world amazes me every single day. You want me to be better every day,” the Vanderpump Rules alum continued. Jax also vowed to be there for Cruz—“protecting, guiding you, and loving you more than anything in the world”—before ending with a big wish for the day: “Happy birthday, buddy. Let’s have the best day ever!”
On his Instagram Story the same day, Jax shared more from their super special time together. There were photos of him and Cruz looking at sea animals at the aquarium—one of those everyday moments that suddenly feels dramatic just because it’s the kid you’re celebrating. After that, they grabbed a bite to eat. “Best day with my best bud,” he wrote over one photo, and over another: “My five-year-old.”
Brittany also posted on April 12, and her tribute matched the energy—maybe even more photos than you’d expect from a normal birthday post. She shared pictures from Cruz’s 5th birthday party, including recent snapshots from a farm-themed celebration. According to her post, she transformed her backyard into a country oasis that felt connected to her Kentucky roots, with guests playing in a ball pit, jumping in a bouncy house, and feasting on food. You can almost hear it, too—the kind of backyard noise that comes with kids bouncing around, even if you’re just scrolling on your phone.
In her caption, Brittany wrote what she clearly wanted to say without any polish: “Mommy loves you so much, and I am so proud of you every single day! You are pure magic and light up everyone’s life that knows you,” she noted. She added that Cruz is “so beautiful, so smart, so talented, so unique, and soooooo wonderful!!” Then came the part that hits hardest for a lot of parents: “I can’t believe how fast time flies. You make me a better and happier person every single day. I love you so much Cruz!”
All of this comes after Brittany opened up about the very real, sometimes messy rhythm of co-parenting with Jax. She appeared on The Valley After Show after The Valley Season 3, Episode 2, and admitted that co-parenting “literally depends on the day.” “Some days are good and just fine,” she explained. “Other days are just the same.” She also said she hasn’t been to Jax’s new place yet, but they do keep in touch. “But I make him send me videos before I let Cruz go over there,” she noted—though she’s also seen effort from him, even calling out that he’s taken toys from her house to his. “And I’m just like, ‘Just buy your own.’ But whatever; it’s for my son, so I don’t care. But he’s definitely trying when it comes to that.”
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