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- Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren (Gregory) Akins, met in first grade.
- The best friends-turned-sweethearts married in 2012 at age 22.
- Their love inspired Thomas's hits "Die a Happy Man" and "Marry Me."
- The couple has three daughters: Willa Gray, whom they adopted from Uganda, and Ada James, whom they had shortly after. Lennon Love followed in 2020.
- Lauren and Thomas just announced that daughter number four has arrived!
Where would we be, without the love of a woman?
Travis Tritt asked the question, but it seems Thomas Rhett knows the answer.
Thomas, 31, wrote his chart-topping hit, "Die a Happy Man"—a story about a man's need for nothing more in life than his woman's "crazy love"—for and about his wife, Lauren (Gregory) Akins, 32. The song became the most-played country tune on the radio for six straight weeks and has since earned a number of accolades including two Academy of Country Music Awards.
His next big success, "Marry Me," from the Billboard Music Award-nominated album Life Changes, was also inspired by his real-life love story.
The country star's relationship with Lauren, a philanthropist with a nursing degree, is nothing short of inspirational. Here's everything you need to know about their love story, marriage, and adorable children.
How did Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins meet?
Thomas and Lauren have known each other since they were first graders in Valdosta, Georgia. They attended church camp together at 13, and briefly dated at 15. Although their first attempt at a relationship didn't work out, they remained "best friends," Thomas told Taste of Country.
In their late teens, Lauren and Thomas got into serious relationships with other people. "I almost married someone else, and she did too," said Thomas in an interview with CBS This Morning.
Luckily, his future father-in-law interceded. "Her dad called me and said, 'If you don't come over here tonight and tell Lauren how you feel about her, then I'm going to tell her how you feel about her," Thomas told CBS.
After Lauren ended her former relationship, Thomas says he "moved in for the kill."
"We kissed, and that was it. We dated for probably six months, and we got engaged," he explained.
When did Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins get married?
The childhood sweethearts wed in 2012, at age 22. Thomas's dad, country songwriter Rhett Akins, said the wedding left little doubt that the couple is "beyond in love."
"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," he told The Boot.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Oahu—having no idea they'd be back to the island's North shore in 2015, to shoot the music video for Thomas's fifth consecutive No. 1 single. Even though Lauren isn't one for the spotlight, her husband knew he had to cast her in "Die a Happy Man."
"It was inevitable for her to be in [the video] because I wrote the song for her and about her," Thomas told People.
Everything about the video—the barefoot dancing, flirty teasing, and impromptu kisses—is real, he explained. "We love to let people in on our lives and be an example of what it means to be in love," he told CBS. His fans loved it: the video now has well over 200 million views.
How many kids do Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins have?
In February 2017, the couple shared plans to expand their family in a simultaneous announcement of both an impending adoption and birth. They brought their first daughter, Willa Gray, home from Uganda three months later.
Their second daughter and first biological child, Ada James, was born Aug. 12, 2017.
"I can't believe that we have two daughters!" Thomas captioned an Instagram post he shared the next day. "My wife @laur_akins labored almost 36 hours. She is by far the strongest human being I have ever met and I have a new found respect for moms around the world."
Just after the Akins crew doubled in size—in just five years of marriage, no less!—Thomas released another album, Life Changes. The title track is about his family, and the most successful song, "Marry Me," is also based on his marriage.
Life changes, indeed! When Lauren wasn't busy supporting Thomas's music career, she was juggling motherhood with charitable efforts, including a new jewelry line that benefits Ugandan communities. But it wasn't long before the couple made another exciting announcement.
"We decided we didn’t have enough princess dresses around the house so we’re adding another Akins baby girl to the family early next year," Lauren revealed on Instagram in July 2019. "Despite Thomas Rhett’s initial shock (swipe to see video 😂) we are absolutely over the moon for our baby girl!" Lennon Love joined the family in February 2020.
The latest member of the family arrived on November 15, 2021, Thomas and Lauren announced on Instagram. Welcome to the world, Lillie Carolina!
Thomas wrote, "Lillie Carolina Akins 😍 born November 15th. 7.5 pounds of pure joy🙌 @laur_akins you are my hero. Watching a child being born is legit a miracle. 4 under 6 here we go!"
