Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins first encountered each other during their time in elementary school.
NEED TO KNOW
- Thomas Rhett has been married to Lauren Akins since 2012.
- The couple met during their childhood and had a short relationship in high school before they got back together in 2011.
- Rhett mentioned that Akins has been the source of inspiration for several of his songs.
It’s no secret that Thomas Rhett loves his wife, Lauren Akins.
A Grammy-awarded country musician has consistently spoken about how his high school love serves as a source of inspiration — and influences his successful music. He mentioned in an August 2024 press statement regarding his seventh studio album,About a Woman,that the song “Beautiful as You” dealt with him wondering why someone “as amazing” as her was with him.
“There was a day a few years ago when I was looking at my wife and I thought, ‘Why in the world did you pick me?’ ” Rhett said in a press release, according toABC NewsI have the privilege of being with someone who could effortlessly grace the cover of a magazine, and I get to witness her in every aspect — as a partner, a mother, a friend, and even a philanthropist.
He said, “I just feel as if I’m sitting in the front row at near-perfection, if you know what I mean.”
The couple, who first met as children in elementary school, had a short relationship during their teenage years before getting back together in 2011. After six months, Rhett proposed, and they got married in October 2012.
Throughout their marriage, they have welcomedfour children:Willa Gray Akins, Ada James Akins, Lennon Love Akins, and Lillie Carolina Akins. In August 2025, Rhett and Akins revealed thatshe was pregnant with their fifth child.
Who is Thomas Rhett’s wife? Here’s all the information you need about Lauren Akins and her connection with the country musician.
She’s from Tennessee
Similar to Rhett, Akins is also from Nashville. Although they both attended the same elementary school, they didn’t become friends until sixth grade. Rhett saidBritish GQ in June 2019, he stated that his emotions for Akins were powerful at that time.
Although the feeling wasn’t returned in sixth grade, I already knew I was in love with her,” he said to the source. “I know that seems hard to believe, but it’s true.
She is a writer and charitable individual.
In August 2020, Akins published her autobiography,Live in Love, which detailed the ups and downs of her relationship with Rhett and how she set aside her nursing career when his music success began in 2013. She mentioned that writing the book “was like therapy.”
“There’s significant pressure to show that you have an ideal life, along with a perfect family and marriage, particularly on social media and when in the public spotlight,” Akins said to the Muara Digital Team in 2020, noting that being open about their challenges gives them “the freedom” to be authentic.
Besides her book, Akins also holds the position of vice chairman on the board forLove One Internationala non-profit group that assists children and families in Uganda.
They began a relationship during their high school years.
Rhett told Taste of CountryIn September 2012, he revealed that he and Akins were in a relationship for six months when they were 15. Although the romance was short-lived, the two “stayed best friends” after they broke up — untilone fateful nightat her sister’s commencement celebration.
In a July 2019 conversation with Holly Gleason forHITS Daily Double, the “Life Changes” artist mentioned that he told his future father-in-law that he had loved his daughter since high school. When Akins’ dad threatened to tell her if he didn’t, Rhett chose to take a risk.
“It was a total Ryan Goslingmoment,” he said to Gleason. “I told her, ‘I just want to kiss you once. If you don’t feel anything, we can return to being friends.’
They tied the knot in 2012.
It goes without saying, the couple never returned to being friends. After dating for six months, Rhett proposed to Akins by giving her a wine bottle with “Marry Me” written on the label.
“I took the bottle and wrote my reply on the label, ‘Well duh, yes,’ ” she said in a 2020 interview.Instagram ReelThey got married less than a year later on October 12, 2012, during an outdoor ceremony in Nashville.
They are the parents of four daughters (and another child on the way!)
The high school sweethearts have welcomed four children into their family during their marriage. After meeting Willa in a Ugandan children’s home, Rhett and Akinsadopted herIn May 2017, three months later, Akins welcomed their daughter, Ada, then Lennon was born in February 2020, and Lillie arrived in November 2021.
Akins and Rhett revealed on Instagram in August 2025 that they are expecting a childtheir fifth child, and that there were “some really excited big sisters” in their family. The country singer previously told the Muara Digital Team in April 2021 that his wife “haswanted five kids for forever.”
So I’m certain we’ll have at least that many,” Rhett said. “I would really like a son. But on the other hand, I’ve become so accustomed to being a ‘girl dad’ that I honestly don’t know how I’d handle having a boy!
Rhett has composed several songs regarding her
A significant portion of Rhett’s family-oriented music catalog is a homage to his deep affection for Akins. He told the Muara Digital Team that the hit song “Die a Happy Man” was written “for her and about her,” and later mentioned that the entire albumAbout a Woman was influenced by his spouse.
Each of these songs reflects my relationship with my wife across various stages,” he said to the Muara Digital Teamgust 2024. “There are tracks about being 16, others about being 19, and some about being 25, as well as ones that represent where we are now. Additionally, there are a few that focus on love for the future.
Read the original story onMuara Digital Team
