The Highs (and Lows) of Living La Vida Lohan

It's a big day for Lindsay Lohan — she turns 28 years old! As we celebrate Lindsay's birthday, let's put aside her family drama, addictions, DUIs, arrests, and rehab stints. Instead, try to remember the first time you saw her. Was she a sweet pip-squeak oozing with talent in Disney's The Parent Trap or pop culture's queen bee in Mean Girls? Was she cracking jokes with the likes of Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live or getting praise from costars Meryl Streep and Jane Fonda? All that and everything in between reminds us there's a lot more to Lindsay than the tough times splashed across magazine covers. Nearing the end of her wild 20s, Lindsay seems determined to get back to work. As we await Lindsay's upcoming stage debut in Speed-the-Plow on London's West End in September, take a trip down memory lane with the moments that made us love the actress and root for her! Source: Getty/John Sciulli

The cutie-pie redhead burst onto the scene in 1998's The Parent Trap.
Disney

The cutie-pie redhead burst onto the scene in 1998's The Parent Trap.

How did she play twins? How did she master the British accent? We were instantly obsessed.
Disney

How did she play twins? How did she master the British accent? We were instantly obsessed.

She debuted her pizzazz on <b>The Tonight Show</b> in '98.
NBC

She debuted her pizzazz on <b>The Tonight Show</b> in '98.

It was the first — and last! — time Jay Leno messed up her name.

After a four-year break from film, Lindsay costarred with Jamie Lee Curtis in Disney's Freaky Friday remake.
Disney

After a four-year break from film, Lindsay costarred with Jamie Lee Curtis in Disney's Freaky Friday remake.

In a music video for the movie, Lindsay showed us she had total pop star potential.
Disney

In a music video for the movie, Lindsay showed us she had total pop star potential.

Then, in 2004, Mean Girls captivated us . . . and we fell for Lindsay. Hard.
Paramount Pictures

Then, in 2004, Mean Girls captivated us . . . and we fell for Lindsay. Hard.

When the DVD came out, we watched it over and over until lines crept into our daily conversations.
Paramount Pictures

When the DVD came out, we watched it over and over until lines crept into our daily conversations.

And we couldn't get enough of this pack. Lindsay was their leader, and we followed everything they did.
Getty | J. Merritt

And we couldn't get enough of this pack. Lindsay was their leader, and we followed everything they did.

She finally went for it in the music world, releasing Rumors in 2004.

She finally went for it in the music world, releasing Rumors in 2004.

She graced the cover of Elle in 2005, and we totally thought American Vogue would eventually happen for her.

She graced the cover of Elle in 2005, and we totally thought American Vogue would eventually happen for her.

Source: Elle

Then came the massive fame. In 2006, she went out with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, and we would have died to be with them.
Bauer-Griffin Online

Then came the massive fame. In 2006, she went out with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, and we would have died to be with them.

Meryl Streep bonded with Lindsay after Prairie Home Companion, and we saw a teen who just wanted love.

Meryl Streep bonded with Lindsay after Prairie Home Companion, and we saw a teen who just wanted love.

She brought on huge laughs by playing a rather mature version of Hermione when she hosted SNL for the first time.
NBC

She brought on huge laughs by playing a rather mature version of Hermione when she hosted SNL for the first time.

She shared the screen with Jane Fonda in Georgia Rule. Jane said she was a "fantastic actress" but often late to set.
Getty | Jim Spellman

She shared the screen with Jane Fonda in Georgia Rule. Jane said she was a "fantastic actress" but often late to set.

Things were getting rough for her in 2009, but she kept a smile on her face.
Getty | Mike Franklin

Things were getting rough for her in 2009, but she kept a smile on her face.

For a while there, it looked like she found true love in Samantha Ronson. She showed us how committed she could be.
Film Magic

For a while there, it looked like she found true love in Samantha Ronson. She showed us how committed she could be.

She was still in trouble with the law in 2010, but she made sure to be camera ready at her court appearances.
Getty | MARK RALSTON

She was still in trouble with the law in 2010, but she made sure to be camera ready at her court appearances.

Lindsay returned to SNL in 2012, forcing us to watch "The Real Housewives of Disney" on repeat.
NBC

Lindsay returned to SNL in 2012, forcing us to watch "The Real Housewives of Disney" on repeat.

She showed us her hunger to work when she played Elizabeth Taylor in Liz & Dick.

She showed us her hunger to work when she played Elizabeth Taylor in Liz & Dick.

Source: Lifetime

Sporting blond locks, she scored some major comic relief on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in early 2012.
NBC

Sporting blond locks, she scored some major comic relief on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in early 2012.

She was hesitant to tell Oprah about her addiction issues in 2013, but it was the most we had seen her try in a long time.

She was hesitant to tell Oprah about her addiction issues in 2013, but it was the most we had seen her try in a long time.

Source: OWN

<p>And in this <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/34178629">teaser for her new show</a>, Lindsay seems to heed Oprah's advice.

<p>And in this <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/34178629">teaser for her new show</a>, Lindsay seems to heed Oprah's advice.

Is this when Lindsay turns it all around? Tune in to her OWN premiere on March 9 to find out. Source: OWN

After lying low, she got us nostalgic with a <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/34037549">Mean Girls reunion</a>.

After lying low, she got us nostalgic with a <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/34037549">Mean Girls reunion</a>.

When Lindsay's show premiered, she got more personal than we expected.

When Lindsay's show premiered, she got more personal than we expected.

Source: OWN

And she spoke the truth.

And she spoke the truth.

Source: OWN

She was a good sport when Jimmy Fallon threw water at her.
NBC

She was a good sport when Jimmy Fallon threw water at her.

Seriously, her March 2014 Tonight Show appearance was a hoot and a holler. We can't wait to see what she brings to the London stage in September. Break a leg, Lindsay!