Ryan Reynolds’ Sweet Mother’s Day Tribute to Blake Lively

Ryan Reynolds is not shy about letting the world know how he feels about Blake Lively — and this Mother’s Day, he made sure everyone heard it.

The Deadpool & Wolverine star, 49, took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday, May 10, to pour out a tribute to his wife of nearly 13 years. Over two photos of the couple together, set to the soaring notes of Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition,” Reynolds wrote: “I appreciate this mother beyond measure. She is kind. She is fearless. She’s the absolute love of my life — and to our four little kids, she’s the life of their love.”

That last line alone. Reynolds and Lively share daughters James, 11, Inez, 9, and Betty, 6, and son Olin, 2.

A Moment of Celebration After a Long Battle

The timing of Reynolds’ post wasn’t lost on anyone. It came just one week after Lively, 38, reached an out-of-court settlement with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, 42, on May 4 — days before their trial was set to begin on May 18.

Lively had filed a lawsuit against Baldoni on December 31, 2024, alleging sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and an orchestrated smear campaign against her. Baldoni denied her claims and filed a countersuit of his own, which was later dismissed. By the time settlement talks concluded, the case had been significantly narrowed — a federal judge had dismissed several of Lively’s claims, including the sexual harassment allegation, leaving primarily retaliation and contract-related claims on the table.

Rachael Bennett, a certified family law specialist and senior attorney at Sullivan Law & Associates, told Us Weekly that the last-minute timing was no accident. “The risk of putting the outcome in a jury’s hands becomes too dangerous for at least one, and here, probably both sides,” she explained. “The settlement came right after the judge dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s claims… That changes the leverage dramatically once those bigger emotional claims are gone.”

Lively and Baldoni released a joint statement through their attorneys acknowledging the resolution. “The end product — the movie It Ends With Us — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life,” the statement read. “We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard… It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

Reynolds Had Already Made His Feelings Clear

Reynolds’ Mother’s Day post wasn’t the first time he’d publicly stood in Lively’s corner. Back on April 19, he appeared on Today and told journalist Willie Geist simply: “I’ve never in my life been more proud of my wife.” He didn’t elaborate. He didn’t need to.

Sunday’s Instagram tribute felt like a quieter, more personal extension of that same energy — less about the lawsuit, more about the woman.

Blake’s Own Tribute Was Just as Beautiful

Reynolds’ post came shortly after Lively shared her own Mother’s Day tribute — this one to her mom, Elaine Lively. The Simple Favor star wrote over a photo of her mother: “Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who chooses joy, every day, no matter what. The strength and defiance in that is something I’ll always appreciate, especially the older I get.”

She continued: “She isn’t just beautiful, she creates beauty, with her hands, her stories, her playfulness, her creativity, her incredible ingenuity and her love. I’m so grateful, now and forever to have been shaped by your heart full of love, optimism and magic. You make the ordinary extraordinary. I love you. Thank you mama.”

Reynolds and Lively first met in 2010 on the set of Green Lantern and married on September 9, 2012. Whatever the past several months have looked like behind closed doors, Sunday felt like a family choosing to exhale — and celebrate the people holding them together.