Beyoncé Shared a Rare Selfie with Her Kids and a Sweet Thank You Note Ahead of Her Albumby

Photo: Courtesy of Ivy Park

The launch of Beyoncé‘s highly-anticipated seventh studio album Renaissance was preceded by a heartfelt thanks to her children and family.

Posted to her website was a never-been-seen-before selfie of the Grammy-wining artist with all three of her kids—her five-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir, and 10-year-old Blue Ivy. This wholesome photo saw the children asleep in her bed, cuddling up to the star who is sporting a black tank top and a face that said ‘I woke up like this’.

The photo was accompanied by a sweet letter, dedicated to all those who were her pillar while she was creating the album. For her children, she wrote, “I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity, and inspiration.” Beyoncé also thanked her 14-year-long husband Jay-Z for his constant support and patience: “And a special thanks to my beautiful husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio.”

Photo: Courtesy of Beyonce.com

The 40-year-old also thanked her uncle Johnny, who was ironically her “godmother”—a title she gave him due to his constant guidance and inspiration not only over the course of her music-making career, but also her life. Her uncle was the first person to introduce her to the art of songwriting and music culture, setting the grounds for her initial inspiration which is reflected vastly in her new album, as she claims. Beyoncé shared that she felt he had been under the radar for far too long, and wanted to bring him to the spotlight, as he has continued being a major contributor in matters of inspiration to her music.

The musician also gave a shoutout to both her parents—her mother, Tina Knowles, and her father, Mathew Knowles—in a loving message: “Mama, I luhhhh you. To my father, my OG, my first teacher: You inspire me in every move that I make. I love you.”

The Renaissance album will pay host to her artistic abilities and emotional creativity, more than ever before. While the singer’s music has always toed the line between pop and hip-hop, this album takes another approach as it goes down a more soul-searching route in her lyrics.