Thomas Rhett is an accomplished country singer and songwriter, winning awards like Country Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year. Some of his most recognizable songs are Die A Happy Man, Marry Me, and Unforgettable. Most people don’t know that Thomas’ father was also a country music singer. Thomas actually didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps after seeing what stardom did to his family, but he and his wife Lauren somehow make it work.
Thomas and Lauren are one of Hollywood’s sweetest couples. They are real with their fans, are always positive and uplifting, and have the cutest family you could ask for. But who is the couple behind the scenes? Here are 20 surprising facts about Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins’ relationship.
20 Thomas And Lauren Met In Kindergarten
While it’s not common for most celebrities, Thomas Rhett actually met his wife when they were just kids. Thomas and his wife, then known as Lauren Gregory, were in the same Kindergarten class at Goodpasture Christian in Madison, Georgia. They didn’t become friends until they were in sixth grade.
19 They Were Best Friends Growing Up
Thomas and Lauren didn’t become good friends until they were in sixth grade, despite going to school together since kindergarten. They had ups and downs for much of their relationship, throughout middle school and high school, but always remained friends. Thomas said that he really noticed her long before Lauren started paying closer attention to him.
18 Thomas And Lauren Went To Church Camp Together
Both Thomas and Lauren have been outspoken about their faith and the way they live (and how they are choosing to raise their family). They also talk often about attending church on their social media channels. So it comes as no surprise that they actually attended church camp together when they were 13 years old.
17 They Briefly Dated When They Were Teenagers
Don’t get too excited, because this part of their love story isn’t the "happily ever after". The country star and his now-wife actually dated when they were 15 years old. Unfortunately, their brief romance only lasted six months before the duo called it quits, choosing to remain best friends.
16 Their First Kiss Was On A Trampoline
The couple had their first kiss during their brief dating stint. And the funniest part is that it actually took place on a trampoline. Although it does seem fitting for a couple of 15-year-old kids. It must not have gone very well if they broke up not too long after.
15 Both Of Them Almost Married Someone Else
While Thomas and Lauren remained close friends, they did start to date other people when they were in their late teens. Thomas recalls, “Mitch Barnes invited her to junior/senior banquet. And that was the turning point. I was crushed.” They both entered into serious relationships, to the point that they almost married other people.
14 Thomas Got A Surprise Phone Call
The two love birds actually owe their happily ever after to Lauren’s father. Thomas recalled the phone call, saying, "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.” And the rest is history!
13 Quickly Moving Relationship
After finally landing the woman he had been chasing for over a decade (when she ended her current relationship), Thomas wasn’t going to waste any time. "We kissed, and that was it,” Thomas recalls. They only dated for about six months before he proposed and decide to snatch Lauren up for good.
12 Thomas Proposed With A Wine Bottle
If you thought they were the cutest couple ever, you haven’t even heard the best part of Thomas and Lauren’s love story. He enlisted the help of his mother and invited Lauren to her favorite Italian restaurant in Nashville. Then he wrote, “Marry Me?” on a wine bottle, in silver Sharpie!
11 She Wrote Her Answer In Sharpie
Of course, Lauren had to answer the proposal in an appropriate manner. Although writing his proposal in Sharpie wasn’t conventional, it didn’t phase Lauren at all. She wrote back in Sharpie, “Well, duh, yes!” Thomas said, “Somebody cued ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Frank Sinatra, and we danced in this little cigar room. It was pretty awesome.”
10 They Were Only 22 Years Old When They Got Married
After getting engaged so quickly, Thomas and Lauren decided to just go right into getting married as well. The “Die A Happy Man” singer married the love of his life when they were only 22 years old. After they tied the knot, they ended up going to Oahu for their honeymoon.
9 Not Everyone Believed In Them
Even though the couple were certain they were making the right choice in getting married at such a young age, not everyone believed in them. But they quickly won everyone over. Thomas’ dad said, "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.”
8 Luke Bryan Gave His Full Support
Apparently Luke Bryan was one of the only supporters of their young love. Thomas’ father recalls, “Everybody told him no, this is not what he should do– except Luke. He called Luke three or four times, and Luke was like, ‘Buddy, if you’re in love and you want to get married, then do it.'”
7 They Have Set Strict Rules When They’re Apart
Apparently the secret to an amazing marriage, when you’re a country star, is to set rules. Thomas said that they try to talk at least three to four times a day when he is on the road. One of his most important rules is that he keeps his distance from other women, even in his music videos.
6 Lauren Doesn’t Love All His Songs
Lauren Akins is usually her husband’s number one fan, even supporting him from afar when necessary. However, she’s not going to pretend she likes a song when she doesn’t. Apparently, Lauren hates “Make Me Wanna” with a passion and is continually asking Thomas to take it out of his setlist permanently.
5 Thomas And Lauren Fight Like Cats And Dogs
Both Thomas and Lauren like to be open with their followers and don’t want to put on a fake front and pretend they’re perfect. Thomas admits, “If you hang out with me and Lauren, you know our relationship. You know that we fight like cats and dogs, but you know that we’ve fought like cats and dogs since we were like 10 years old.”
4 Thomas And Lauren Love To Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Lauren admitted that she loves Valentine’s Day and tries to make it special. Luckily, Thomas goes along with her plans! Lauren said, “Regardless of where we are in the world, Valentine’s Day for us is chocolates, heartfelt letters in a Valentine’s card, a good movie, flowers, and time alone with just us two.”
3 They Adopted A Daughter From Uganda
Thomas and Lauren’s first child, Willa, was adopted from Uganda. It was a long process because they had to foster for a year before they could bring her home. They originally decided to adopt because they were having trouble getting pregnant. Once they saw Willa they knew that she was meant to be theirs.
2 Life Changes Quickly
Life doesn’t always go as planned, as Thomas Rhett sings in his hit song, “Life Changes.” Right before bringing home Willa, the couple found out that Lauren was pregnant with another baby girl! Their sweet family doubled in size in just a few short months, adding two babies under the age of two.
1 He Wouldn’t Die A Happy Man Without Lauren
Thomas has said that Lauren is the inspiration for everything he does and she makes him a better person. While she is obviously the inspiration behind his hit song, “Die A Happy Man,” many people don’t know that Lauren asked him to write the song. So we wouldn’t even have this song without Lauren.
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