The story just gets cuter because apparently, Brooks told Yearwood that she could open for him if he ever made it big. And she did! Never in their wildest dreams did they foresee their futures as massive country stars. They probably wouldn’t have believed you at the time if you told them they would both go on to be Grand Ole Opry members. While they were immediately drawn to each other, they were in other relationships and wanted to make those work. Despite the bad timing, when you know, you know. Brooks said in an interview on the Ellen Degeneres Show that he felt like someone meeting his wife. He was right. And his debut album would change both of their lives.
Brooks stayed married to his Oklahoma State University college sweetheart and first wife Sandy Mahl for 13 years. During their marriage, the couple welcomed three daughters — Allie Colleen, Taylor Mayne Pearl, and August Anna. During that time, Yearwood divorced her first husband, musician Chris Latham as well as second husband, Bobby Reynolds. After years of remaining close friends and collaborating musically, both stars were finally free to act on their feelings for each other after Brooks’ first marriage ended in 2001.