Inside Kelly Clarkson’s Relationship With Her Childhood Best Friend

File this one under super adorable. Proving Kelly Clarkson really is the fun and relatable woman we know her to be, the star is still in touch with her childhood best friend and actually got a major surprise from her on TV when she celebrated her 40th birthday. The sweet moment went down in April on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” with the “Miss Independent” singer admitting she had no idea what was going to happen next… cue Mary’s entrance. A clearly shocked Clarkson yelled “Oh my God!” as she ran over to the bestie she met in third grade, embracing her in a big hug before the two reminisced about growing up together. Mary brought along several throwback snaps and shared they went to church and worked at the movie theatre together, as Clarkson revealed they caused such mischief at school that they couldn’t be in the same classroom. “I want you to know on your birthday how much you are loved,” Mary then told the star. Aww!

But it looks like it’s not just Mary who’s had a close relationship with Clarkson for decades. The star has also given her fans a peek at a few of her other friends since childhood, including Ashley Donovan who she tweeted was her Maid of Honor in her wedding to Brandon Blackstock. Us Weekly confirmed the two grew up in Texas, worked at the movie theatre, and then lived in Los Angeles together.