Miranda Lambert Didn't Make The First Move When She Met Brendan McLoughlin

Miranda Lambert has had a tumultuous love life throughout the years. As fans know, Lambert seemed to have found her counterpart in fellow singer Blake Shelton — and the two were considered country music royalty. The couple tied the knot in 2011 but ultimately called it quits in 2016 after nearly five years of marriage. "This is not the future we envisioned," they wrote in a statement. "And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends, and colleagues," they added before asking for privacy. Of course, Shelton famously moved on with fellow "Voice" coach Gwen Stefani. At the same time, Lambert had a pretty controversial relationship with Evan Felker, who was married at the time of their romance.

Miranda Lambert appears to have finally found her "happily ever after" with Brendan McLoughlin. Unlike her previous partners, McLoughlin is not involved in the entertainment industry; instead, he served as an NYPD police officer. Lambert loves to beam over her husband, and in an interview with People, the star revealed that she and McLoughlin live a happy and quiet life together on their farm in Nashville. "It's nice to have a partner in that, someone by your side that supports you, loves you and believes in you," she said of her spouse. "He loves me for me. It's a really cool thing to have in my life, at this point in my life."

So how did the two link up in the first place?

Miranda Lambert may not have made the first move when meeting her now-husband, Brendan McLoughlin, but it turns out that McLoughlin didn't make the first move either. So who played matchmaker between the country music superstar and the New York City police officer? Lambert's bandmates — the Pistol Annies — because everyone needs some good wing women. According to People, Lambert and the Pistol Annies were playing a set on "Good Morning America" in 2018 while McLoughlin worked security for the event. "My girlfriends, the Annies, saw him and knew I might be ready to hang out with someone," she told the outlet of the meeting. "They invited him to our show behind my back. They plucked him for me."

The "Little Red Wagon" singer added that another person was in on the set-up. "My security guy Tom, he was in on it too. He said to me, 'He's here. And he's pretty.'" It's no secret that their first meeting led to much more, as the couple tied the knot following a whirlwind two-and-a-half-month courtship. Following the wedding, Lambert gushed to People over how she knew McLoughlin was the one. "I feel like I've been through enough in my life to know what I don't want, so when I know what I do want I snatch it right up," she shared. Seriously... the cutest couple ever!

It's certainly no secret that Miranda Lambert is head-over-heels for her hubby Brendan McLoughlin, as she regularly sings his praises in interviews. So, it's really not breaking news that McLoughlin feels the same way about his blushing bride. Since the retired police officer doesn't take part in as many interviews as his wife, he uses another platform to gush over her — social media. McLoughlin has amassed a following of over 140,000, and most of his Instagram feed features photos of Lambert as he clearly plays the role of a doting husband.

In 2022, McLoughlin shared the couple's engagement photo as he beamed over Lambert on her birthday. "You're the most beautiful person inside and out," he captioned the shot. "You have the biggest heart and show it everyday through your love for others and animals. Can't wait to celebrate many more. Just wanted to say happy birthday and I love you." In another post that year, McLoughlin shared a photo of the two walking the red carpet at the AMA's, and he wasn't short on words to express his thoughts on his wife's career. "Had an amazing evening honoring the most talented woman I know. So proud of you for winning the triple crown award," he gushed over his wife. McLoughlin sure knows all the right things to say to make his lucky lady feel special.