These Triplets Took the Same Photo Every Year, and the End Result Will Surprise You

This is the picture that started it all. It began the story of the world watching and waiting to see how these three boys would grow up every year of their lives. At the time, Karin Scholtz probably didn’t know that her picture would launch such a beloved story.

Was it the fact that the babies were just naturally adorable, or did the matching outfits help? Who wouldn’t fall in love? But the boys would soon grow and look totally different.

Celebrating your children’s 2nd birthday is always a significant milestone. You’ve moved past the sleepless nights of the infant phase and now face the so-called “terrible twos.” However, the terrible twos don’t seem so terrible when you see it from the perspective of these triplets.

Only a year has passed since the last photo, yet they look so different it’s almost hard to recognize them. Their joyful expressions and the love captured in this moment make it clear that every phase of their growth is worth celebrating.

The third time’s a charm; it looks like that was all it took for Karin to make this birthday photograph a cherished tradition. They were going strong for three years, and she was determined to keep it going.

One of the cutest parts of her photos is that she always ensured the triplets were in coordinating outfits. In their third birthday picture, they were wearing matching Snoopy pajamas. The joy and love captured in these moments are truly heartwarming.

As the boys grew up, it became clear that they were starting to develop their own unique personalities. While they still looked very similar, with matching outfits and hairstyles, their individual facial expressions were becoming obvious.

She always managed to gather her kids for a photo shoot in creative and cute locations, making each picture unique. Their coordinated outfits and the charming settings added a layer of magic to these treasured memories.

You don’t always have the unique ability to see children grow up as quickly as you can with the Scholtz triplets. When they turned five, you can see that a few changes have occurred.

They still seem like happy little kids, but they don’t appear thrilled about the idea of taking a photo together. Their personalities are starting to shine through and becoming their own people. This photo captures a perfect moment of transition.

The kids seemed genuinely excited to take another photo for their sixth birthday. Unlike their fifth birthday, where they looked less than thrilled, they are eager and ready for it to happen here. They are also back to wearing fully matching outfits. Now, their birthday outfits feature bright prints and vibrant colors.

You can almost start to see their facial features changing more distinctly between the kids at this age. Their enthusiasm and colorful outfits add a joyful vibe to this photo, capturing another precious moment.

You have to admit that Karin really knew how to dress her kids. Each and every outfit they wore throughout the years was stylish and unique, even though they were wearing the same thing. This year, she decided to let them dress just a little bit differently.

They all still had to wear the overalls, but the shirts and sweaters underneath were allowed to be slightly different. She had a knack for balancing style and coordination, making each photo a delightful snapshot of their growing personalities.

Eight years of birthday photos certainly called for a special celebration, as seen in this delightful photo. The boys are all bedecked in polka dots, each wearing slightly different shades and colors, yet their outfits still maintain a cohesive look.

You can also notice that the boys have slightly different haircuts. This photo marks another year of growth and highlights these birthday traditions’ playful and joyful nature — the combination of their coordinated outfits and the boys’ evolving personalities.

Considering everything that had happened leading up to their 9th birthdays, it’s surprising and beautiful to see the children smiling so broadly in this photo. The year prior, there was a tragic gas leak in the house that caused their childhood home to burn down.

Thankfully, the family was safe, but they had to move to a temporary trailer while they waited for a permanent home to be available and ready. This photo captures a birthday celebration, a moment of triumph, and hope for the future.

Celebrating a 10th birthday is always a big moment, especially involving a group of identical triplets like the Scholtz triplets. One of the boys, Peter, saved money to buy a camera, and they were excited to use it for this occasion.

They took the picture with a self-timer to commemorate their 10th birthday. The joy and pride on their faces are evident, making this photo a memorable keepsake that marks a decade of cherished memories and the beginning of a new chapter in their journey.

By their 11th birthday, the triplets’ lives had undergone significant changes. The most notable change was that Peter, the first of the boys to do so, had found a girlfriend.

His brothers, Mark and Dennis, weren’t too fond of Eva, feeling she was disrupting their close bond. Peter doesn’t seem too disturbed by his brothers’ resentment of his new girlfriend. On the contrary, he seems quite proud and eager to show everyone.

By their 12th birthday, the triplets had learned that nothing stays the same forever. Unfortunately, Peter was diagnosed with epilepsy and spent much of his early teenage years in hospitals and doctor’s offices. His brothers remained supportive, drawing on their strong bond to help Peter stay healthy.

Despite this challenging news, the boys’ spirits remained high. They smile happily in their birthday photo, showing that even significant changes and hardships couldn’t bring them down. Their resilience and unwavering support for each other are genuinely heartwarming.

Peter coped with his epilepsy diagnosis by maintaining a positive outlook and relying heavily on his family’s support. His brothers offered constant encouragement, helping him stay active and engaged. Peter also found strength in routine and the care from his medical team.

Despite frequent hospital visits, treatments, and disturbances to his school life, he focused on activities he enjoyed and stayed connected with friends and family. This strong support network and his resilient attitude helped him navigate the challenges of his condition.

Although at 12, the boys were undoubtedly shocked to discover that one of their brothers was struggling with epilepsy, they probably did not anticipate that it would lead to Peter staying back a year in school.

For the first time, the boys were separated, with Dennis and Mark moving to middle school while Peter stayed back to learn at his own pace. It must have been challenging for the boys, who were always very close, to be separated after being so attached for so many years.

Although it was sad to see the triplets separated for a year as Peter struggled with his health, luckily, it was only temporary. By the time they turned 14, things were pretty much back to normal, and they were all in the same school again.

As they grew into teenagers, they no longer had to wear matching outfits, but the birthday sign announcing their age remained. Their hairstyles had also changed, making each look more unique and easier to tell apart.

Have you ever seen a more ’90s photo? These three brothers fully embrace what it was like to be a teenager back then. They have beaded necklaces, fringed hairstyles, and the typical sweatshirt garb.

Not only are they in their teens, but they are growing up in the ’90s. The boy in the middle seems to be embracing the boyband look more than the others, enjoying every bit of it.

Hair is a clear way to express yourself, and the Scholtz triplets seemingly decided that 16 was the year to individualize. They each chose a different hair color, straying from their classic blond. How do you think they decided who got what color? Did they each want a different color or fight over it?

Dennis chose to stick with his natural blond. How long do you think the dyed hair will last for these young boys? Will it last into their 17th birthday, or was it only for their sweet 16?

It seems that the brightly colored hair was just a brief phase while they were turning 16. When the triplets turned 17, they returned to their natural hair colors. They no longer wore matching outfits but still held the sign announcing their age. Some things never change!

In this photo, the three boys look a lot alike. While you can see many differences in other birthday photos, it’s hard to differentiate them in this one.

Eighteen came quickly for these boys, and it was suddenly time for them to graduate and go their separate ways. They had to decide on careers, colleges, and general lifestyle choices. How could they make these decisions without each other? Mark wanted to be a teacher, Dennis wanted to be a sports masseuse, and Peter wanted to study architecture.

After graduation, they would each pursue their individual goals. Graduating high school was a big moment for these boys, yet they still made sure to capture their annual birthday photo.

Although all of the young men had chosen different paths in life, they still reunited on their birthday each year to keep the tradition of the yearly birthday photo alive. On their 19th birthday, there was a scary event where Peter had one of his worst epilepsy seizures.

Despite the incident, they managed to smile and take a nice photo. These triplets knew they would always have each other. They were always there for each other, which is an absolute comfort.

After Peter’s seizure, the triplets rallied around him with unwavering support. Dennis and Mark stayed calm and ensured Peter was safe and comfortable, following the steps they had learned to manage such situations. They reassured Peter that everything would be okay.

Once Peter felt better, they helped him relax and recover, ensuring he didn’t feel alone or scared. Their strong bond and understanding of Peter’s condition allowed them to handle the situation with care and compassion.

In case you haven’t realized yet, these boys wanted to stick together through thick and thin. Although Peter was scared to fulfill his dream of traveling to Germany to study alone due to his health, his brothers decided to make it possible. As a group, they moved to Berlin and started studying together to ensure Peter could fulfill his life dream.

This beautiful picture of brotherhood was taken on the triplets’ 20th birthday. They took the photo themselves in Germany, capturing their unwavering support and unity.

Although it wasn’t Mark and Dennis’s original plan to relocate to Berlin for education, they wanted to stick by their brother, Peter, and ensure he fulfilled his dream without risking his health due to his epilepsy diagnosis. Peter was apprehensive about moving to Berlin by himself, as he had planned, as epilepsy is unpreventable and unpredictable.

A flare-up of symptoms can happen at any time, ranging from less severe seizures to life-threatening symptoms. Thankfully, Mark and Dennis were happy to assist their brother in reaching his desire.

Although they seemed to have abandoned the idea of wearing matching outfits in all of their birthday photos, they still kept the tradition of being relatively coordinated, at least on their 21st birthday.

They also changed their hair slightly in honor of this important year in their adulthood, making for a curlier, shaggier look. As per their usual, the three brothers smile happily in their photos. This year, their vibe captured their youthful spirit and the joy of being together.

The young men continued their tradition of taking yearly birthday photos as the years went by. They were all still studying in Berlin, living their best lives with the best support system a young adult could ask for. It seemed like nothing could go wrong, and everything worked in their favor.

You can see the happiness. The boys still look pretty similar, even though they have different haircuts. Their bond remained strong, and their annual photos captured their physical growth and the deepening of their relationships.

With their studies coming to a close, it looked like the boys would have to prepare to leave Berlin and head back to their home country and family home. One of them decided to grow his hair out even longer, but other than that, things looked relatively the same.

They were excited to continue their adventure back home. However, their anticipation was mixed with uncertainty about the future. They had grown accustomed to their life in Berlin, and the transition back home was bound to bring new challenges.

By the time their 24th birthday came around, the boys had received some sad news that their mother, Karin, was struggling with a severe medical condition. Happy that they had returned home from Berlin, they could now spend more time with her.

Peter also had a girlfriend named Suzan, who was a massive support during these challenging moments. Despite difficult times, the triplets wouldn’t miss out on taking their famous birthday photo. This year, their photo captured a moment of togetherness and love.

Karin probably never would have thought 25 years ago that the first birthday photo she took of her triplets would become such a beloved tradition appreciated by people all over the world. Twenty-five years later, the boys still keep the tradition going strong.

They were all living at home to help care for their mother, making it easy to take photos together. At least all of the boys had very different hairstyles at this time of their lives. It is easy to tell them apart (finally) after years of them looking very, very similar.

Have you ever seen so many smiles from a group of siblings? For some people, getting their children to be in the same room together is hard enough, let alone taking a photo together voluntarily. And yet, no matter what was happening, through thick and thin, these boys got together to take their yearly birthday photo.

They posed happily with their smiles and their sign. This tradition, cherished by many, highlighted the importance of family and the simple yet profound act of coming together to celebrate life.

Even though the triplets are smiling in their birthday photo, something was slightly different on their 27th birthday. Sadly, their beloved mother passed away from cancer, leaving them alone with their lovely tradition. They couldn’t let the tradition die for her and their family’s sake.

So, although they may not have felt like smiling, they were determined to take the birthday photo. Of course, she would want them to continue even though she was no longer with them. Their 27th birthday photo became a poignant tribute to Karin.

The tradition of taking a photo every year on their birthday was crucial for the Scholtz triplets as it celebrated their unique bond and documented their growth. Started by their mother, Karin, it honored her memory and provided consistency amidst life’s changes.

The photos created a visual record of their journey, showing their evolution over the years. This simple yet profound ritual inspired many worldwide, highlighting the importance of family traditions and the passage of time. It symbolized their resilience, unity, and the enduring love within their family.

28 was a big year, especially for Peter, as he was about to welcome a new member into the family. His wife was pregnant and would soon give birth to a baby boy named Noah. The brothers were thrilled to grow their family.

It was a shame their mother wasn’t around to meet the new baby. Still, they continued her legacy with a beautiful photo of her three sons smiling happily on their birthday, celebrating new beginnings and cherished traditions.

You can see how much has changed over the years in the lives of these boys and how different they looked in their 9th birthday photo compared to their 29th. Not many people have the luxury of a cute family photo album capturing all the different stages of their lives.

However, these brothers were among the lucky ones, and they kept the tradition going no matter what. Life could get hectic, but they always found time to get together and take their yearly birthday photo.

Thirty years of taking birthday photos together is no joke. The fact that these brothers could get together each year on their birthday to take a photo says a lot. They always ensured they were together in the country on their birthday.

They were not about to lose that tradition as they hit the big 3-0. You can see in their eyes and smiles how happy they were to take this photo together.

It does make it easier to take a photo each year on your birthday when you are all living together in the same house. These brothers stayed in their family home together until they were in their 30s, keeping their bond strong.

Peter and his wife lived there with their young son Noah, and everyone helped raise him together. They all look slightly different in their 31st birthday photo, having decided to grow out their facial hair, giving them a more mature look.

Although 32 years is quite a long time, you would think that if they made it this far, they could continue for the rest of their lives. However, this would not necessarily be the case. Although they had a few more years left of not breaking this tradition, it was closing.

They still had the same sign their mom had made for them as babies, changing the age each year. They decided to stick with the facial hair theme; their hairstyles were similar.

Although the smiles are still strong in the pictures, you can see in the boys’ eyes that they are starting to get bored of the tradition. They have reached the years where things do not change as much.

Life seems more consistent and stagnant, and they are not as interested in taking their yearly birthday photos in the tradition their mother set when they were babies. Yet, they still have a few more years left and will not break the tradition.

This is perhaps the first time you can see a consistent trend with these brothers that shows how they are different, at least in terms of looks. They each have their own unique hairstyle that they seem to be sticking with and have slightly different styles overall.

However, you can still see their love for each other, their bond, and their smiles are the same. Which hairdo do you like best for the brothers? Each one shows a slightly different style.

This is perhaps the first photo where you can see that the men are starting to show some signs of aging. They are still smiling, just like they always do in their birthday photos, but you can see the age lines starting to appear.

They still look great for their age and could easily pass as being in their twenties instead of mid-thirties. Did they know this would be one of the last years they would take their traditional photo?

No one knows why, but 36 was the last year Peter, Dennis, and Mark decided to take their annual birthday photos. No one will ever know whether they just got sick of the tradition or decided to stop sharing it with the world.

However, everyone is happy with the many years they shared their lovely birthday photos with the world. You can still see the love and happiness in their birthday photos, maybe even more than the others. We hope the rest of their birthdays will be as happy as this one.