The 35-year-old “Marry Me” performer and the 36-year-old author announced on Friday that they’ve welcomed a baby boy named Brave Elijah Akins. Sharing the news in a joint Instagram post, the couple posted a series of intimate hospital photos, including one of Rhett cradling his newborn son and another of Lauren beaming from her hospital bed as she held him close.
In their caption, they introduced little Brave with overflowing excitement, calling him their “precious baby BOY” and revealing he arrived nearly two weeks early, weighing in at close to 10 pounds. They joked with gratitude that he didn’t decide to stay put for those extra two weeks.
Lauren also took a moment to praise her husband, describing him as her biggest supporter during labor and even sharing that he helped deliver their son. She recalled the emotional moment he tearfully — and somewhat stunned — announced to everyone in the room that they had finally welcomed a boy.
The couple said they feel incredibly blessed to have been chosen as Brave’s parents, adding that his four older sisters are already completely smitten and that the entire family is “over the moon” in love.
Friends from the entertainment world quickly flooded the comments with congratulations. Fellow country artist Megan Moroney shared her excitement, while singer Tucker Wetmore and actress Sadie Robertson Huff also chimed in with celebratory messages.
Rhett and Lauren first revealed they were expecting again in August 2025, posting a playful announcement that hinted at the chaos — and joy — of having “five under 10.” The pair are already parents to daughters Willa Gray, whom they adopted from Uganda in 2017, and biological daughters Ada James, Lennon Love, and Lillie Carolina.
The Grammy-nominated singer has often woven his family life into his music, even joking in song about how quickly life can shift gears. Offstage, the couple’s love story stretches back to childhood — they met in first grade, started dating in middle school, and marked 13 years of marriage last October.
Their journey hasn’t been without challenges. In a candid 2024 interview, Lauren admitted she once struggled with resentment over putting her nursing career on hold while adjusting to motherhood and Rhett’s demanding touring schedule. After welcoming two daughters in quick succession — including their adoption of Willa — she said the pressure took a toll on their marriage. The couple eventually sought intensive counseling, which helped them reconnect and rebuild.
Alongside fatherhood, Rhett continues to thrive professionally. He released his seventh studio album, About a Woman, in 2024 and is set to join Morgan Wallen as a special guest on the Still The Problem tour beginning in April.
But for now, it seems the spotlight belongs to baby Brave — the long-awaited little brother who’s already captured his parents’ hearts.
