Tashera Simmons is still celebrating her ex-husband DMX’s life. Simmons turned 50 on Saturday (April 10) one day after the multi-platinum rapper died of a heart attack inside of the White Plains Hospital in Westchester, NY.

Simmons was reportedly nearby while X was in the ICU as he fought to stay alive on life support. The couple have four children together, who also visited their father before his untimely death. On Instagram, Simmons shared a heartfelt video montage that included a voiceover message.

“Happy, happy birthday to me. April 10, 1971. Wow, what a ride. What a journey. As I close up the last 50 years of my life, I rejoice and I thank God for everything it has taught me. The journey that it took me through. The hurt, the pain, the triumph, the resistance, the resilience, the learning lessons, the relationships, the power,” Simmons said as photos from her childhood and wedding to DMX flash on the screen. “I celebrate my life today grateful to God for the 50 years He has given me. But now I also celebrate my ex-husband, my best friend, my spiritual partner, my mentor. But I also thank God for his life and his peace. And his journey and his life lessons that were passed on and that will live on for generations to come.”

The couple met each other in 1989. They married in 1998 and were officially divorced in 2012. At one point in his life, the late rapper hoped to stop using drugs and avoid trouble with law enforcement, so he could raise a family with Tashera.

“Happy 50th birthday to me,” Mrs. Simmons captioned her post. “With much prayer, pulling, crying and a roller coaster of emotions. I couldn’t bring myself to just celebrate and close the last 50yrs of my life with out celebrating the life of one of the most important person in the world to me, my Ex-husband.”

“I know today is my day,” she continued. “But I also understand that God is love. So When God allowed me to open up my eyes and granted me the gift of life, I realize more than ever, that was my true gift today. Glory be to God!! I am so grateful to God and Honored from the bottom of my heart, For the opportunity while on this Journey called life to join hands in marriage with a true disciple and Angel of God to do life with when we did. Everything we went through was necessary. It made me the woman I am today. As I enter a new chapter in life, I don’t walk in it the same. Life is so fragile and special at the same time! My life lessons have raised me up to be a Mighty warrior of God! Loving, resilient and strong!”