It has officially been 20 years since Never Been Kissed hit theaters on April 9, 1999. The film’s star, Drew Barrymore, still loves the film as much as she did two decades ago. In honor of the movie’s anniversary, Drew took to Instagram to pen a sweet message to the film that was the “first official movie” for her production company, Flower Films.

“All we wanted to do was make something that felt like the way so many of us feel growing up,” the 44-year-old said of the film she did with her producing partner, Nancy Juvonen. “It’s raw and ridiculous, beautiful and helps you decide what is important and what isn’t.”

Drew Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen during "Never Been Kissed" Los Angeles Premiere
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In the hit drama, Drew starred as Josie Grossie, a baby-faced junior copywriter at the local newspaper who takes on an assignment where she is forced to go undercover as a student at her former high school to research the lives of teens in order to better inform their parents. The well-devised plan began to fall apart when she decides to take her brother’s advice on how to be part of the popular crowd — which only led to a series of complications.

Drew went on to explain that Never Been Kissed continues to be one of the most beloved movies thanks to the relatable storyline. “We also loved humor. And if pain isn’t mixed with insane laughter, than it doesn’t work,” the mom-of-two explained. “Humor and humility are linked like besties! And everyone feels vulnerability while they are figuring out who they are and what they stand for.”

Ahead of the 20th anniversary, Drew opened up to Vanity Fair about why creating Josie’s character was so important. “I wanted to make a movie that encompassed how girls feel,” the brunette beauty said. “We’re vulnerable, and we try to be brave. We don’t always feel like we fit in. How do you celebrate who you are at the end of the day for who you really are, not who you think you’re supposed to be? And, you know, we all want a little romance at the end of the day. That film is so close to my heart and I am still Josie Grossie.”

Drew Barrymore stars in the movie "Never Been Kissed."
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In retrospect, Never Been Kissed paved the way for the rest of Drew’s career in film production. Now, the Santa Clarita Diet star creates movies that she used to dream of during her younger years. “Starting my own production company in 1995 was my way of trying to make my dreams come true,” Drew gushed to the outlet.

“For me, Flower Films was a great way to work with people I loved, we could have so much fun, but we could create stories that I thought were important to tell,” the Golden Globe winner added. “Stories about girls and for girls. I wanted to feel like I could watch things that recognized how I felt inside as a girl.”

Like Drew said: “Josie Grossie forever!”