Serena Williams Makes Her First Post-Birth Appearance to Honor Gigi Hadid

Serena Williams has been nothing short of ecstatic when it comes to sharing every aspect of her life as a new mom. The only thing that can even come close to matching that excitement? Apparently, it’s Gigi Hadid.

In her first public appearance since giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on September 1, Williams stepped out at Glamour‘s 2017 Women of the Year Awards to introduce honoree Hadid. “Gigi, you’re one of the few people on this planet I would leave my baby for one night,” the tennis champ told the packed crowd at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre on Monday night.

The feeling, naturally, is mutual. “Serena, I just want to say you have been such a beautiful light in my life for so many years, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to call you my friend.” Hadid said after she took the stage to accept her award. “I love you so much, so thank you.”

And while this is our first glimpse of the new mom in person, Williams has been relatively visible on social media over the first two months of Alexis’ life. The athlete, who posted frequent updates throughout her pregnancy, has been equally vocal now that her daughter has made her world debut about everything from buying diapers for the first time to her hopes and dreams for her baby girl, detailed in an emotional open letter.

Related: Serena Williams’s Newborn Daughter, Alexis Olympia, Makes Her Instagram Debut

Model Gigi Hadid Reveals the Secret to Her Signature Runway Walk: