It’s quite hard to believe that Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora parted ways six years ago; or at least that’s what anyone will get to feel like when the popular pair reunited on the occasion of their only daughter Ava’s Sweet 16 birthday bash at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles’ Westlake Village. Together, the trio posed as an ideal family that could easily leave eyebrows raised in utter disbelief!

Notwithstanding their divorce in April 2007, 54-year-old Bon Jovi guitarist and the former “Melrose Place” beauty, two years younger, have managed to retain strong bonds of friendship, taking into account the well-being of Ava, now an up and coming actress. Both Ava’s rocker dad and gorgeous-looking Locklear looked to be in tremendous spirits during the birthday celebrations, making the event really memorable for Ava.

Still Good Friends

“Heather and I really respect each other, and we’ve become better friends, I think, now that we’re not married”, the “You Give Love a Bad Name” guitarist clarified recently, making it abundantly clear that the couple were keen to remain friends for the sake of their daughter. While Locklear and Sambora attracted a lot of attention in their black dress, Ava, in sharp contrast, shone in a white dress.

By posing together on a happy note, the family prompted millions of people to go down memory lane and recall how the couple stood witness to a successful married life since 1994, to be joined by Ava three years later. Although the 13-year marriage broke and both Heather and Richie soon found their new partners, what they established in the process is that it’s still possible to remain as good friends after legal separation. While Sambora went after another blond beauty and Locklear’s friend, Denise Richards, Locklear got closer with Melrose co-star Jack Wagner.

Budding Actress

On her part, Ava seems to be pursuing a powerful acting career, making her debut to the film world through ‘This is 40’. “Ever since I was 5 or 6, I’ve wanted to be an actress”, she says, adding she enjoyed drawing widespread attention and would do everything to hog the limelight by remaining onstage. “It was easy to figure out what I wanted to be”, Ava said. As someone who sees her own mother as role-model, Ava has made it a point to be on the set with Locklear as and when possible. “The Perfect Man” was among Locklear’s first movies that Ava happened to visit. Ava rates Locklear’s co-star Hilary Duff as the most awesome person she has ever come across.

Ava has very little to hide when she says that her present aim was to establish herself in Hollywood and follow the footsteps of her famed parents. Although she is very keen to go after what she wishes, the not-so-little girl says it’s only when she’s in front of her family or friends that she turns nervous. “I really only get nervous in front of my family and friends, because I want to impress them. I’m very on top of it with people I don’t know.”