SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg has passed away, he was 57. Nickelodeon tweeted a moment of silence for Hillenburg which resulted in a very sweet and sad thread from SpongeBob fans.

Full transparency, this editor and her children may have gotten a little teary upon hearing this news.

*sniff sniff*

Who is cutting onions in here, dangit?!

So cool.

And so sad.

Icon indeed.

RIP Stephen, and thank you for giving us SpongeBob SquarePants.