The time has come! Jake Owen’s girlfriend, Erica Hartlein, gave birth to their first child together on Monday, April 29.
The proud papa announced the happy news on Twitter, writing, “It’s a Willie great day!! Well Happy Birthday to @WillieNelson born on this day April 29th, 1933. Also, happy birthday to my little beautiful daughter, Paris Hartley Owen born today April 29th, 2019. #GodIsGreat.”
It's a Willie great day!!
Well Happy Birthday to @WillieNelson born on this day April 29th, 1933.
Also, happy birthday to my little beautiful daughter, Paris Hartley Owen born today April 29th, 2019.#GodIsGreat
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) April 29, 2019
The country singer, 37, announced in November 2018 that he and Hartlein were expecting. “This’ll throw you guys for a loop,” he told his family during ABC’s I’m Coming Home special. “[We] haven’t told anyone, but Erica and I will be having a little addition to our Owen family.”
The “Down to the Honkytonk” singer is already the dad of daughter Pearl, 6, with his ex-wife, Lacey Buchanan. The little one was born on Thanksgiving in 2012.
Owen announced his split from Buchanan in August 2014, calling it “the hardest thing” he had done in his life.
“I wanted to let my fans know how much I’ve appreciated their support of not only my career, buy my family as a whole. Sadly, Lacey and I have decided to end our marriage,” the Florida native wrote in a statement at the time. “We want to focus on our daughter Pearl and make sure that she has a beautiful life with loving parents. We appreciate you respecting our privacy during this time.”
While performing in Minnesota that same month, the Academy of Country Music Award winner opened up about the breakup on stage.
“I’m going to say this real quick. I think maybe a lot of people would maybe shy away from it,” Owen told the audience. “But I’ve been going through some weird stuff. My wife and I are getting a divorce and this is probably the hardest s–t I’ve ever done in my life. To walk on stage every night and try to pretend like everything is awesome when it really ain’t always awesome.”
Owen confirmed that he was dating Hartlein in April 2017.
