In a Hollywood friendship that defies time, Tom Cruise continues to prove he’s the king of thoughtful gestures. Twenty years after starring as father and daughter in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 blockbuster War of the Worlds, the Mission: Impossible superstar still sends Dakota Fanning a pair of luxury shoes every single birthday – and it’s only getting sweeter.

The tradition kicked off when Fanning, then just 11, was filming the alien-invasion epic alongside Cruise. She turned 11 on set, and Cruise surprised her with her very first cell phone: a coveted Motorola Razr flip phone. “I didn’t even have anyone to call, but I wanted it so bad,” Fanning later recalled with a laugh. Little did she know that gift would spark an unbreakable annual ritual.

As the War of the Worlds press tour rolled on, young Dakota discovered she could finally fit into adult-sized shoes – and she was obsessed. Cruise took note. From her 12th birthday onward, a beautifully wrapped box started arriving each February 23: always shoes, always stunning, and always accompanied by a simple card bearing the exact same six mysterious words, year after year.

“It started because I was so excited about fitting into grown-up shoes,” Fanning shared in recent interviews. “He noticed, and he’s never forgotten. Even now, at 31, the package shows up like clockwork.” She wears them proudly but saves every pair. “I’ll keep them forever – it’s his way of checking in, and it’s incredibly generous.”

Fast-forward to 2025, and the streak is alive and thriving. Just days ago on Watch What Happens Live and The Today Show, Fanning confirmed: “Yes, he still does. Really nice shoes – he’s got impeccable taste!” When pressed about whether Cruise adjusts for her changing size over two decades, she grinned: “He’s adapted perfectly.”

This isn’t just any gift-giving routine. In an industry full of fleeting connections, Cruise’s consistency stands out. While he’s famously estranged from his own daughter Suri, his bond with his on-screen kid remains rock-solid. Fans are melting over the wholesomeness – one X user wrote, “Tom remembering Dakota’s shoe size for 20 years while jumping off planes? Ultimate dad energy!”

Dakota now boasts a Tom Cruise-curated shoe closet that rivals any fashion icon’s. From elegant heels to chic sneakers, each pair tells a story of enduring friendship. And that unchanging six-word note? It’s the cherry on top – short, sweet, and eternally the same, just like their Hollywood fairy-tale bond.

In a world of forgotten birthdays and ghosted texts, Tom Cruise is out here proving chivalry isn’t dead… one perfect pair at a time. Who needs a time machine when you’ve got a friend like that? 👟❤️