Erin Bates and Chad Paine have been going strong since 2011. Erin, who is one of Bringing Up Bates' Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Bates' 19 kids, and Paine met at an Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) Valentine's Day banquet in February 2011. The pair ended up crossing paths again in April 2011 at a conference and started pursuing a relationship. Erin and Chad got engaged in August 2013 and tied the knot that November. After experiencing a miscarriage in 2014, Erin and Chad welcomed son Carson in 2015, followed by Brooklyn, Everly, Holland, Finley, William and Henry in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025, respectively. Erin Bates' Family and Friends Offer Support Amid Septic Shock Recovery Following the birth of their seventh child, Henry, in August 2025, Chad revealed that Erin faced serious health "complications" after welcoming their son. "We wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and support you have given on our behalf," Chad wrote via Instagram in September 2025. "It's been a week since our miracle, Henry came into the world. He is doing well in the NICU and is our bundle of happiness. We had asked for prayer for recovery for Erin due to complications. Her labor was longer and more intense than previous births. She has been fighting through it and has been such a light and sweet testimony of grace to nurses, staff and doctors alike. We are all moved by her kindness and gratefulness in the midst of pain." Chad went on to say that Erin "developed a severe UTI and kidney infection" leading her into "septic shock." Keep scrolling to learn more about Chad and Erin's relationship timeline through the years: 2011 Chad and Erin met at an IBLP Valentine's Day banquet that February, but didn't officially start dating until they reconnected at a conference a few months later. "We met at a Valentine's banquet, which is kind of special because I think we were meant to be," Erin recalled during an episode of Bringing Up Bates in December 2014. "I vaguely remember seeing him there because my family was singing and I was doing some of the music and he was taking pictures. The next night is when we officially met because his family invited our family over for dinner. As soon as I walked in the door, it was love at first sight." 'Bringing Up Bates': A Comprehensive Guide to the Bates Family The twosome became good friends before starting a romance following a conference in Texas. "Later on that year, I think we met at a conference down in Texas, she was playing for the event," Chad added. "Through that week long event down in Texas, I got to know her a little bit better, her family a little bit better and from then on we kind of pursued a relationship." December 2012 Courtesy of Erin Bates/Instagram On the Bates family's blog, the family announced that Chad had officially asked Erin to court a.k.a. the "pre-engagement stage of their relationship." "We couldn't be more excited to watch God work in their relationship and we are so happy they have chosen to share their special moments with family and friends," they wrote in January 2013. August 2013 The pair announced their engagement. November 2013 Courtesy of Erin Bates/Instagram Chad and Erin tied the knot after nearly two years of dating. "On November 2, 2013, we watched the daughter that we still view as a little girl romping around our living room floor, bringing smiles to all, suddenly grow up and launch a new beginning of her life as MRS. PAINE!" the Bates family's blog shared at the time. "What an incredible emotional journey of joy, excitement, love, and yes, tears too! Our hearts are so full now that it's hard to imagine how life could have been any better!" Stars Who Struggled to Conceive Children Share Their Fertility Issues March 2014 Less than one year after tying the knot, Erin and Chad suffered a miscarriage. "We know that God knows what's best...and we are trusting Him for that even though it's hard, even through the tears, even through the questions...
God is still good and He is still faithful," the couple wrote in a blog post at the time. "One day we will get to see our baby and maybe then we will understand God's plan more perfectly and more fully...but until then, we simply must trust Him!" May 2015 Courtesy of Erin Bates/Instagram Erin and Chad welcomed son Charles, who goes by Carson. "Words cannot describe the joy we feel," the pair said in a joint statement to People. "The pregnancy has been filled with times of excitement and gratitude, but also with many fears about Carson's safety." August 2016 The lovebirds welcomed daughter Brooklyn. "It was a 'dream birth' for me (because I got an epidural)!" they wrote via Instagram alongside a picture of the newborn. "It has been such a special time bonding with our new little princess! God definitely answered by prayers!" PDA! Wine! Whitney, Carlin and Erin Bates Share Parenting Dos and Don'ts March 2018 Courtesy of Erin Bates/Instagram Nearly two years after giving birth to Brooklyn,