Hilarie Burton Celebrates Sophia Bush and Their 'Perfect Storm of Sisterhood and Feminine Rage' in 42nd Birthday Tribute

Hilarie Burton is making sure Sophia Bush feels loved on her 42nd birthday.

In an emotional Instagram post on Monday, July 8, the One Tree Hill actress reflected on how the two met. She wrote that Bush, while very different from herself, is exactly what she needed in a friend.

“Once upon a time, in the year of our Goddess -1982 - two little girls were born in the same week, but on opposite sides of the world,” Burton, 42, wrote in her caption. “These little nerds loved school and books and camp and extracurricular activities to pad their college resumes….and they were the same kind of animal. Ambitious. Persistent. LOUD. Dramatic.”

She went on to note that they were “opposites” in every way — hometowns, hair color, height, schooling — and yet they still met each other. She even shared a split photo of each of them as kids side-by-side.

“If there was ever a case of Nature vs Nurture, this was it,” Burton continued. “The older one looked mean and angular and tough. But was a wuss on the inside. Easily hurt. The younger one looked adorable on the outside. But was a f---ing pit bull! Especially if you tangled with one of her chosen family.”

She added: “And so it came to pass that the Universe, in all her infinite wisdom, threw these two together and created a perfect storm of sisterhood and feminine rage and salacious gossip and soft, loving trust. It was perfect. You, @sophiabush , are perfect.”

Burton, whose birthday is on July 1, told Bush that she appreciates the love she puts into Burton’s birthdays, and she wanted to pay it forward.

“For your birthday, I give you gratitude,” Burton wrote. “Thank you for always seeing the deep down me, and protecting her. Even when we were kids you saw through the bulls---. It’s your gift. Clarity. Thank you for all the generosity and silliness and partnership. Everything you touch ends up better. Shinier. Happier.”

Fans may also have some upcoming projects to look forward to, with Burton teasing that the One Tree Hill alums have “so many good things planned.”

“Here’s to more and more and more,” the post concluded. “Happy Birthday to my Owen's sister. #sallyandgillian Xoxoxooxx.”

On Sunday, July 7, Bush kicked off her birthday festivities with friends, sharing a group photo laughing. The slideshow of images largely featured Bush’s new girlfriend, Ashlyn Harris, who she began seeing in October 2023.

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“☀️❤️‍🔥 some summer ❤️‍🔥☀️,” she captioned the post.