Country music star Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins have entered an exciting new chapter in their lives, welcoming their fifth child together, a baby boy named Brave Elijah Akins. The couple shared the joyful news on their Instagram account on Friday, February 27, along with a series of touching photographs capturing the early moments of their son’s life.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Thomas-Rhett-and-Wife-Lauren-Akins-Welcome-Their-Fifth-Baby-Together-022726-89fa14e35f8a4046845bd7c72ea320e0.jpg)

In their announcement, the couple expressed their overwhelming love for their newborn. “Welcome to the world Brave 🩵💚🩵,” they wrote, demonstrating their excitement in a heartfelt caption. The images included a tender photo of Brave peacefully sleeping while cuddled next to a stuffed animal, evoking a sense of calm and love within their growing family.

Brave was born last week, nearly two weeks early, and weighed close to 10 pounds. The couple thanked their good fortune for his early arrival, with Akins stating, “thank you Jesus this big boy didn’t wait another 2 weeks to be born 😍.” The post also displayed expansive moments from Akins’ labour, featuring Rhett providing support as she prepared to give birth. One poignant photograph captured Rhett affectionately kissing Akins on the forehead, a testament to their strong bond during such an intimate occasion.
Akins highlighted Rhett’s pivotal role during the delivery, describing him as her “biggest champion in labour & delivery.” She praised her husband for aiding in the delivery process and conveying the exciting news to those present in the room. In her touching words, she recalled Rhett’s joyful announcement, “It’s a BOY,” along with her own emotional reaction to the arrival of their son. To conclude her heartfelt message, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have their baby, stating, “Your four sisters are smitten and we are completely over the moon in love with you, big Brave boy 🩵🌙🩵.”
Brave joins the couple’s four daughters: Willa Gray, aged 10; Ada James, aged 8; Lennon Love, aged 6; and Lillie Carolina, aged 4. The arrival of a baby boy marks a noteworthy change in their family dynamic, which had been predominantly female until now.
The couple previously revealed that they chose not to find out their baby’s gender prior to the birth. Thomas Rhett spoke about the uncertainty in an interview with Taste of Country, saying, “It’s terrifying for me, but there’s not many surprises left in this world, and I feel that’s one that you kinda get to be surprised with, if you choose to.” This choice reflects their desire to embrace the unpredictability and joy of parenthood.
Additionally, they hinted that they might consider pausing their family expansion after welcoming Brave. Rhett joked about their family size, stating, “I mean, five has kind of always been our number,” suggesting that anything beyond this would require significant adjustments, including possibly investing in a larger vehicle.
The couple first shared the news of their newest pregnancy in August, releasing an announcement video that included an updated version of Rhett’s hit song “Life Changes.” In the video, he expressed the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a father yet again, saying, “Big wrench got thrown in the plans that we thought we had.” This candid moment provided fans a glimpse into their playful yet thoughtful approach to the challenges and surprises of family life.
Rhett and Akins’ love story began in childhood, with the couple first meeting in elementary school. Although they briefly dated during their teenage years, they reconnected in 2011 and became engaged six months later. The pair tied the knot in October 2012, cultivating a relationship that has flourished over the years, filled with love, laughter, and now, a growing family.
Overall, the couple’s warmth and joy in welcoming their son Brave have touched many, shining a light on the beauty of family connections and the joys of parenting. As the Akins family embarks on this new journey with their baby boy, they continue to embrace the changes and challenges that come with each unique chapter of life.
