Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins’ love story is one for the books. The couple met as kindergartners, but it took them about 15 years to realize that they were life partners — and they haven’t turned back since.
The country superstar and the Live in Love author started dating in 2011 after reconnecting at a party for her sister. They were engaged within six months and married the following October.
“When I saw them stare at each other the entire 20 minutes they were saying their vows, it’s like these two people are meant to be together. They are beyond in love,” the groom’s father, Rhett Akins, told Country Weekly at the time. “Everybody there that had doubted or wondered if they were too young, all the doubts are gone now.”
After honeymooning in Hawaii, Rhett and Akins tried to start a family. However, the pair struggled to conceive, so they began looking into other ways to have children. Akins visited Uganda in 2016 and quickly developed a bond with a baby girl named Willa Gray. She and Rhett returned to the African country a dozen times over the 12 months that followed before formally adopting the then-18-month-old.
In the middle of the process, the Grammy nominee and his wife found out that she was pregnant. Their daughter Ada James was born in August 2017, only three months after Willa came home to the U.S.
“There is nothing more fun than being around my children,” Rhett gushed to ABC News Radio in June 2019. “I can only imagine it gets more fun the more that you have.”
And with that said, they became a family of five in February 2020 when Akins gave birth to another daughter, Lennon Love.
Scroll down to see a timeline of Rhett and Akins’ relationship!
The pair met in kindergarten when they were in the same class at Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, Tennessee.
Courtesy of Lauren Akins Instagram/Instagram
Rhett and Akins briefly dated in the 10th grade. He was head over heels in love, but she ultimately decided they would be better off as friends. “She was just like the all-American, friendliest, nicest. She was tall, blonde, beautiful, pretty much the total package for any dude from sixth grade all the way through high school,” Rhett recalled to The Tennessean in February 2016.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Rhett and Akins nearly got engaged to other people in college. But then, he attended her sister’s graduation party in 2011 and confessed that he still had feelings for her.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
The hitmaker proposed to the former nurse in December 2011 by writing “Marry Me” on a wine bottle with a Sharpie marker over dinner at her favorite Nashville restaurant, Giovanni.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Rhett and Akins tied the knot in October 2012 during an outdoor ceremony in Nashville.
Al Powers/Powers Imagery/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
The lovebirds enjoyed a trip to Italy in September 2014. “Me and @lauren_akins peacing out of the country! Here we come Italy,” the entertainer captioned a selfie via Instagram.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Rhett and Akins dressed up as Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, respectively, at a Halloween party in October 2014.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
In July 2015, the couple returned to their honeymoon destination of Hawaii to shoot the music video for the singer’s signature hit, “Die a Happy Man.”
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Rhett cozied up to his “boo” at a college football game in September 2015.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
The musician took to Instagram in October 2016 to commemorate their fourth wedding anniversary. “4 years @laur_akins seriously?! It's gone by so fast,” he wrote. “Love you so much!! Happy anniversary babe.”
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Rhett and Akins adopted their daughter Willa from Uganda in May 2017.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Akins gave birth to the couple’s second daughter, Ada, in August 2017. “I can’t believe that we have two daughters!!” Rhett wrote via Instagram.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
The family of four took a trip to Chicago in July 2018 ahead of Ada’s 1st birthday.
Courtesy of Thomas Rhett Akins/Instagram
Rhett and a then-pregnant Akins brought Willa and Ada to the CMA Awards in November 2019.
AFF-USA/Shutterstock
The childhood sweethearts welcomed their third daughter, Lennon, in February 2020. “Watching our kids meet Lennon for the first time was probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life!” Rhett wrote via Instagram. “Ada James and Willa Gray are going to be the best big sisters on the planet.”
Courtesy of Katelyn Brown Photo/Instagram
Akins paid tribute to Rhett via Instagram on Father’s Day in June 2020, writing, “Thomas Rhett you are the best daddy to our 3 little girls. You keep us steady, constantly entertain us, love us better than anyone could, cook us amazing food, point us to Jesus, (try to) teach us everything about music, make us laugh every single day, and with you leading our family we get to live out the most incredible adventure. Happy Father’s Day honey, you are so loved.”
Courtesy of Lauren Akins/Instagram
The “Remember You Young” crooner celebrated his eight-year wedding anniversary with Akins in October 2020, sharing a sweet photo of her with the couple’s three kids cuddling on their bed. “Happy 8 year anniversary @laur_akins I seriously feel like we got married 6 months ago. I have loved every second of our journey together,” he wrote via Instagram. “No matter how tough it has been at times you are a fighter and I thank you and the Lord every day that you wake up and choose love. You are my rock, my inspiration and the woman that simply just makes life better. I can’t wait to relax with you, take naps with you and crush Netflix with you today! I love you so much honey! Also, I love your shoe choice in the photo haha.”
The New York Times bestseller penned her own tribute to her husband, sharing a photo of the duo standing side by side in The Great Outdoors. “I’ll go anywhere with you babe,” she captioned the snap. “These last 8 years have been the adventure of my dreams. I love you more than any words on Instagram can say. Happy Anniversary.”
Courtesy Thomas Rhett/Instagram; Shutterstock
The “What’s Your Country Song” singer and his wife cohosted the CMA Country Christmas special in December 2020, giving fans a glimpse at their playful relationship. Their daughters also made an appearance during Lady A’s closing performance.
CMA/ABC
Rhett sang about getting back together with Akins after college in his song “Want It Again” from his fifth studio album, Country Again (Side A). “I knew someday you’d find your way back into my arms / So girl, I kept this heart of mine / Somewhere good and safe / I knew you’d want it again someday,” he crooned.
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