Thomas Rhett is best known for his chart-topping country songs, but with millions of followers on social media he has developed an even bigger fan base. Through social media platforms Thomas Rhett is known for the beautiful moments he shares of life with his wife, Lauren Akin, and their daughters Willa Gray and Ada James.
In 2017, while they were expecting daughter Ada James, Thomas Rhett and Lauren adopted toddler Willa Gray from Uganda. The story of bringing Willa Gray home with them was long and complicated, but the moment they finally did was one the family will never forget. Thomas Rhett described the final hours, saying, “On the way to the airport, it was like Christmas Day.”
Since then, Thomas Rhett and Lauren have shared many images and reflections that have inspired people around the world. Their candid discussion of adoption and their work with the nonprofit Love+One International offer a beautiful look at the reality and need for adoption.
For National Adoption Awareness Month, Thomas Rhett opened up to E! News about the journey to adopting Willa Gray and the family’s hopes to adopt again. He told the news outlet, “For me and Lauren, it was one of the most amazing but also challenging experiences of our lives and it is something that totally changed our lives for forever.” He added, “Willa Gray is literally the joy of my world. I cannot imagine living my life without Willa Gray today.”
He explained that the adoption process should not be taken lightly but people should also not underestimate the need and importance of adoption. He told E!, “It’s one of those things that you should really think hard about, but also know that if you do it, you are giving somebody a chance at a life they may not have had otherwise.”
And, as for the future, Thomas Rhett says they are definitely open to another adoption. He told E!, “[It’s] something we will more than likely do again.” He quipped, “Lauren wants a million kids so we need to get back on that train.”
Although the abortion industry promotes the lie that whether or not a child is “wanted” determines that child’s Right to Life, the truth is that every child is a unique person with inherent dignity. As such, each child deserves not only Life but also a loving family. When tragic circumstances prevent a child’s biological parents from raising him or her, adoption is a loving option for all involved. The heroic sacrifice of birth parents who place their child with an adoptive family cannot be overstated.
Pro-Lifers are often falsely accused of being “pro-birth,” as if Pro-Life people only care about preborn children and abandon them once they are born. This is demonstrably false. Pro-Life organizations across Texas and around the world support mothers throughout pregnancy and for years after the child is born with material, social, and community resources.
The commitment of Pro-Lifers to loving and honoring all lives is also personal. When we asked Texas Right to Life followers on social media if they would adopt a child who was at risk of being aborted, the responses were overwhelming. Not only would people consider the scenario, but many people had already adopted children.
The importance of adoption and the countless Texans with stories like Thomas Rhett’s are why Texas Right to Life has long championed reforms to make adoption more efficient and affordable. National Adoption Awareness Month is a time to celebrate the families who have been brought together through the loving choice of adoption and to assess how far we must go to ensure that every child is welcomed into Life and the loving family they deserve.
How has adoption impacted your life?