Mom's best friend was a cat when she was little, now her daughter is following in her footsteps

When Kerry Hjelmgren was 5 years old, her mother gave her a tiny orange kitten named Rusty. Rusty was her best friend for over 20 years, and when Kerry had her very own daughter, she wanted her to have a best friend like Rusty too.

kerry and her cat rusty
Kerry Hjelmgren

In June 2016, Kerry took her daughter Esther to adopt her very own fur friend.

Just like mom, she too choose an orange tabby and named him Peanut.

It was love at first sight.

esther and peanut
Kerry Hjelmgren

esther holding peanut
Kerry Hjelmgren

"She has adored him since the moment when we told her we were taking him home, and he would be her very own cat," Kerry told The Dodo. "The morning following Peanut's adoption, I woke her up with him purring next to her on her pillow. She woke up instantly and exclaimed so proudly, 'Mama, this is my baby kitty!'"

esther cuddling peanut
Kerry Hjelmgren

The two continue to grow and cuddle together. They're the best of friends.

"The fact that he has grown quite a lot over the past four months doesn't faze either one of them — her arms just get fuller."

esther and peanut growing together
Kerry Hjelmgren

They do everything together. Play, eat, sleep, watch T.V., and Peanut even guards her during bath time.

The love they share for one another is incredible.

esther and peanut playing
Kerry Hjelmgren

"He likes being babied as much as she loves babying him. These two are quite inseparable these days."

esther and peanut together forever
Kerry Hjelmgren

Just like mom did decades before, Esther will grow up with Peanut right by her side.

"This girl and her cat brighten our lives every day," Kerry said. "I like to think that Rusty sent Peanut for us, so we could witness the same love all over again."

mom and daughter holding their cats
Kerry Hjelmgren