Ariel Winter Gets Emotional in Latest Post

08/31/2017 03:53 pm EDT

Ariel Winter is sharing a message of love and appreciation for her sister, Shanelle Gray, for her older sibling's birthday. The Modern Family star took to Instagram over the weekend to pen a heartfelt letter in which she called Gray her "idol."

The 19-year-old actress shared the snap with the caption: "Happiest of birthdays to my best friend in the whole wide world, my sister @shanelle_gray. You are the most incredible woman in the world and I am so grateful and lucky to have you. Thank you for being my rock, I'll always be yours."

She continued by writing: "You are the most inspiring woman - the most amazing mother, sister, wife and daughter. You are my idol. Thank you for everything you are. I can't wait to celebrate you and shower you with love."

The image shows Winter and her sibling tightly embracing each other in a huge hug with the actress burying her face on Gray's shoulder.

Winter and Gray have had an extremely close relationship over the years. Back in May of 2015, the Dog Years actress was legally emancipated from their mother after years of ongoing drama. Gray then became her guardian and has been outspoken in being supportive of Winter.

Back in June, their mother, Crystal Workman, slammed Winter for the way that she dresses and how she posts risqué photos on the Internet.

"She needs to grow up," Workman said while talking with InTouch Weekly. "I would tell her to dress properly, be the beautiful person she is. I feel sad that she feels the need to expose herself when it's not necessary. Ariel is smart, beautiful and talented. She is a legitimate actress. She does not need to do this. She is beautiful with her clothes on."

Gray was quick to rush to Winter's defense.

"It's just the expectation," Gray said on Page Six. "My mother has always been dreaming of the spotlight, which is why she had two daughters … I think this is her way of keeping her name in the headlines."

Gray continued by saying: "Ariel is wonderful and doing amazing. I'm not concerned at all. She's one of the smartest people I know."

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