Erin Elise (Bates) Paine is the third of Gil and Kelly Bates' nineteen children. She is married to Chad Paine. Together they have six children: Carson, Brooklyn, Everly, Holland, Finley, and William.
Early Life
Erin Elise Bates was born on May 2, 1991, to Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Callaham. She was the couple's third child, and they went on to have sixteen more children after her. "We have a lot of fun together," Erin said of having so many siblings. "We do everything together. We laugh together. We cry together. It's like having best friends around all the time."[1]
As a young adult, Erin said that she felt she matured faster than most kids do due to the role she played in helping take care of her younger siblings.[1] She also spoke highly of her childhood, saying:
“Looking back on my childhood and the way that my parents raised me, I can’t think of anything that was negative. Everything, looking back, is really positive, and we made the best memories, and yes, we may not have had a television or things that most kids might have, but at the same time, we substituted that for playtime with dad. Or, you know, playing games as a family or making memories. So, I don’t feel like we missed out on anything and, actually, I think we were smarter because of it. Instead of watching TV and being consumed with video games and stuff like that, we would read books and now all of us kids really have such a love for reading and I think that was very wise of my parents."[2]
Childhood Education
Along with her siblings, Erin was homeschooled growing up. As part of her schooling, Erin took piano lessons.
Erin was raised as an active participant of Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Life Principles, but has denounced this institute as an adult.[3]
Family
See also: Erin Bates and Chad Paine Wedding
Courtship
Erin met Chad Paine at a Valentines Banquet in 2011. Over the next two years, the couple got to know each other. In the fall of 2012, Chad asked Erin's father, Gil, for permission to court Erin, and he said yes.[4] On December 4, 2012, Chad took Erin to Gatlinburg, where he asked her to court while riding the skylift. Aftewards they had dinner at The Peddler Steakouse.[5]
Engagement
On August 5, 2013, Chad and Erin had lunch at Calhoun's with Erin's parents. Then they took a stroll on a dock that led to a swing.[6] After swinging for awhile, they headed to Whitestone Country Inn in Kingston, TN. They went on a canoe ride before getting dressed up and going on a horse and buggy ride to a gazebo where Chad had set up flowers, his guitar, and the ring box. In the ring box, Erin found a note that said "I finally worked up the courage!" When she read it, he knelt down and pulled the ring out of his pocket. He proposed, and Erin said yes.[7]
Wedding
Erin married Chad Paine on November 2, 2013, in Tennessee.[8] Erin's bridesmaids were sisters Alyssa and Carlin Bates and family friends Becky Keilen and Abby Paine, with sister Tori Bates serving as the maid of honor. Although Erin also asked her older sister, Michaela Bates, to be in the wedding, Michaela declined because she didn't want to stand up in front of such a large crowd. One of Erin's brothers, Zach, was a groomsman in the wedding as well. Erin's sister, Callie, served as the flower girl.[9] Erin's wedding was coordinated by Kim Nafziger. Her aunt, Kim Adkins (who works at Gallery Florist in Mebane, NC), provided all of the floral arrangements, wedding bouquets, and reception decore. Another aunt, Kay Mount, from Ringgold, GA, made the cakes. A number of other family friends contributed and prepared food.[10]
Honeymoon
For the first few nights of their honeymoon, Erin and Chad stayed a cabin called "Moonlight and Roses" in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Then they flew to Shannon, Ireland, where they stayed at the Oak Wood Arms Hotel for a night. They spent the rest of their honeymoon in a rented house on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. The two were struck by the beauty of all of their locations.[11]
After getting married, the two moved into a house in Clinton, Tennessee.
Motherhood
Erin got pregnant soon after getting married with a due date in October of 2014, but in March of 2014, they discovered that the baby had stopped developing early on.[12] Erin had to have a D&C.[13] Erin suffered multiple miscarriages after that. Doctors were able to determine that Erin suffered from a blood clotting disorder, and would require medication to carry pregnancies to term. Erin spoke of her struggles in an interview:
"Going through a miscarriage is one of the hardest things. You build up all these expectations, and you prepare, and you have the date in your mind, and it's just heartbreaking when that ends. It's like your world's been crushed. When you go through something difficult, it just makes you all the more strong and it makes you look to each other for comfort. It made us look to the other people who had gone through difficult situations and really, hopefully, encouraged them through it, as well."[14]
Erin and Chad showing off a sonogram photo while pregnant with Carson
On January 23, 2015, the couple announced that they were pregnant again. Erin suffered from a lot of morning sickness during this pregnancy: “For the first four or five months, I was completely incapable of doing anything. I was so sick that I had to stop teaching piano lessons, stop doing pretty much everything. I pretty much stayed in bed the whole time. I told Chad, ‘I felt like I’ve had the flu for months and months!’ ”[14] On March 6, 2015, Chad and Erin announced that they were having a boy.[15]
Erin with her parents and husband shortly after giving birth to Carson
On May 14, 2015, Erin gave birth to her first son, Charles Steven "Carson" Paine IV in Knoxville, TN. "Words cannot describe the joy we feel, the pregnancy has been filled with times of excitement and gratitude, but also with many fears about Carson's safety."[16]
On February 14, 2016, Chad and Erin announced that they were expecting their second child, who was due that summer. [17] They later said that their second child, who they would name Brooklyn Elise, was due in August. [18]
At 5:42 am on August 6, 2016, Erin gave birth to her second child, Brooklyn Elise Paine. Brooklyn weighed 6 pounds and 6 ounces.[19]
Erin and her family announcing they were expecting another child
On October 17, 2017, Chad and Erin announced that they were expecting their third child, a daughter named Everly Hope, with a due date of April 28, 2018. “We are overjoyed to be adding baby Everly Hope to our family this April, She is already loved and adored so much. Our hands are full with two little ones-the giggles, slobbery kisses, and yes, the diapers! We know it will be quite an adventure, and we are definitely anticipating her arrival. We are grateful, so very grateful.”[20]
At 4:12 am on March 30, 2018, Erin gave birth to a daughter, Everly Hope Paine. She weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces and was 18 inches long. In a joint statement, Erin and her husband Chad said, “She has already been smothered with love and kisses, and our hearts are so thankful to God for a healthy little baby girl. Seeing Carson and Brooklyn’s faces light up at the sight of their sister brought us to tears. It feels like we are experiencing a little bit of heaven on earth right now.”[21]
On June 6, 2019, Erin and Chad announced that they are expecting their fourth child, who is due in December of 2019.[22] On July 25, 2019, they announced that the child will be a daughter named Holland Grace.[23]
At 5:24 am on November 26, 2019, Erin gave birth to Holland Grace Paine. She weighed 5lbs 5oz.[24] Of the birth, Erin and Chad said “Our hearts are overflowing with happiness and love as we embrace our newest gift, Holland Grace. The thrill of welcoming a baby into a family never gets old, and with the added excitement of big brother and sisters, the thrill has only escalated!”
On August 24, 2021, Erin and Chad announced via People that they were expecting their fifth child in January 2022. This pregnancy comes after Erin lost one full ovary and "most of the second" due to complications from Covid-19.[25] On October 21, 2021, Erin and Chad announced via their Youtube channel that they were expecting a little girl, who they had named Finley Marie Paine.[26]
Erin and Chad with newborn Finley
On January 18, 2022, Erin gave birth to Finley, and shared the news via their Instagram account.[27]
On May 13, 2023, Erin and Chad announced via their YouTube channel that they were expecting their sixth child later that year.[28] On June 17, they announced that their sixth child was a boy and that his name would be William Gage.[29]
Erin with newborn William
On October 30, 2023, Erin gave birth to William, 5 weeks early.[30]
Health
On February 7, 2021, Erin announced via Instagram, that she'd had three surgeries over the past few months due to ruptured ovarian cysts and extensive bleeding. This resulted in the removal of one ovary and a majority of another, leaving her with approximately one-third of an ovary that was scarred from the surgery.[31] In an interview with Us Weekly published on February 26, 2021, Erin disclosed further details, explaining that she'd contracted COVID-19 twice and after the second occurrence she'd been having "female issues". She described having symptoms such as mood swings from unbalanced hormones and night sweats "almost like when you go through menopause." She explained that for her to get pregnant again would be a "huge miracle" which saddened her and Chad as they'd discussed having at least 10 children.[32] In 2023, in a Q&A on her Youtube channel, Erin said that doctors told her she has the egg supply and fertility of a 50 year old women.
Resume
Education
Erin attended Crown College of the Bible to pursue a bachelors degree in music ministry. Erin borrowed $2,000 from her brother Lawson to help pay for her schooling.[33] Erin was said to be a good student. She graduated magna cum laude on May 5, 2014, and was awarded the Brad Askew Award for Music Ministry. [34]
Music Career
Erin's first album, "Merciful and Mighty" was released on August 27, 2010. It contained 13 tracks, mostly hymns.
In 2012, Erin released her second album, "Down Home Gospel". It contained 11 tracks, mostly hymns.
On November 1, 2015, Erin released a third album, "Comfort & Joy". It contained 12 tracks, all Christmas songs.
On October 27, 2016, Erin released her fourth album, "Lullaby". It contained 12 tracks, mostly children's music.
On January 18, 2023, Erin released her 5th album, "Meditations". It contained 10 tracks, all piano hymns. On January 31, Erin released the same album but with scripture being said over the song. Her husband Chad Paine did the Narrations.
Erin also plays the piano and sings at a number of events, including weddings.
Teaching Career
At some point, Erin taught piano lessons to kids outside of her family.[35][36][37] It is unknown if she still does this.
Television Appearances
Erin appeared on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting many times as a teenager and young adult, with her wedding being the main focus of the 2014 episode "Wedding Bells".
In 2012, TLC aired one season of the show United Bates of America, which focused on Erin's family.
In 2015, UpTV began airing a similar show, Bringing Up Bates, which is currently in its sixth season. Erin is regularly featured on both shows.
Bates Sisters Boutique
On March 18, 2019, Erin, along with her sister Carlin Bates and sister-in-law Whitney Perkins, announced that she was opening a clothing store called Bates Sisters Boutique.[38] The online store officially launched on April 19, 2019.[39] Many of the items sold out within hours.[40] On November 23, 2021, Erin announced she was in the process of leaving the business.[41]
Home Design
In 2019, Erin was hired to help design a house for a couple her husband Chad was doing construction for. The two have shared that they plan to work on projects together in the future.[42]
Chad and Erin Co.
In October 2021, Chad and Erin launched Chad and Erin Co. where they sell ministry tools such as, Man cards/Wallets, Promise Cards, Calendar Cards, ABC scripture cards for kids, Christmas cards and other paper and wood products.
Youtube
In 2022, Chad and Erin started regular posting to their YouTube channel where they post content of their family from cooking videos, house projects, homeschooling and other family events as well as Erin's piano music.[43]
Move to Florida
In January 2023, Chad and Erin along with their kids moved to Florida from Tennessee. They moved to join a starting church and live on a mini farm with goats, chickens and other animals.[44]
Wedding Involvement
Erin has been involved in the following weddings:
- pianist: her brother Zach Bates's wedding to Whitney Perkins (12/14/13)[45]
- bridesmaid: her sister Alyssa Bates's wedding to John Webster (5/24/14)[46]
- pianist: her friend Jill Duggar's wedding to Derick Dillard (6/21/14)
- pianist: her friend Jessa Duggar's wedding to Ben Seewald (11/1/14)
- matron of honor: her sister Michaela Bates's wedding to Brandon Keilen (8/15/15)[47]
- pianist: her friend Joy Duggar's wedding to Austin Forsyth (5/26/17)[48]
- matron of honor: her sister Tori Bates's wedding to Bobby Smith (12/16/17)[49]
- pianist: her sister Josie Bates's wedding to Kelton Balka (10/5/18)[50]
- matron of honor: her sister Carlin Bates's wedding to Evan Stewart (5/25/19)
- pianist: her brother Trace Bates's wedding to Lydia Romeike (10/1/22)[51]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://archive.knoxnews.com/entertainment/family/bates-clan-of-21-calls-east-tennessee-the-place-to-be-for-raising-large-families-ep-361093476-357153211.html
- ↑ http://people.com/tv/bringing-up-bates-star-erin-bates-paine-on-her-pregnancy-and-miscarriages/
- ↑ http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1113745/two-bringing-up-bates-stars-denounce-duggar-family-ministry
- ↑ http://chadanderin.com/2013/01/08/my-best-friend/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/01/a-special-day/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/08/engaged-and-in-love/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/08/erins-engagementpart-2/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/11/chad-and-erin-paine/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/12/chad-erins-ceremony/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/12/wedding-prep/
- ↑ http://chadanderin.com/2013/12/28/our-honeymoon/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/03/in-heaven/
- ↑ http://chadanderin.com/2014/03/17/our-little-ange/
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 http://people.com/tv/bringing-up-bates-star-erin-bates-paine-on-her-pregnancy-and-miscarriages/
- ↑ http://chadanderin.com/2015/03/06/our-little-boy/
- ↑ http://people.com/tv/bringing-up-bates-erin-paine-welcomes-first-child/
- ↑ http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1112963/bringing-up-bates-chad-erin-baby-no-2-news-exclusive
- ↑ http://chadanderin.com/2016/05/04/springtime/
- ↑ https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2016/08/08/bringing-up-bates-stars-chad-and-erin-paine-welcome-new-baby-girl/91032508/
- ↑ http://people.com/tv/bringing-up-bates-erin-chad-paine-expecting-baby-girl/
- ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/bringing-up-bates-erin-and-chad-pain-welcome-baby-no-3/
- ↑ https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2019/06/06/bringing-up-bates-erin-pregnant-chad-paine-expecting-fourth-child/1243266001/
- ↑ https://hollywoodlife.com/2019/07/25/bringing-up-bates-erin-whitney-baby-names-genders/
- ↑ https://people.com/parents/bringing-up-bates-erin-paine-chad-paine-welcome-daughter-holland-exclusive/
- ↑ https://people.com/parents/erin-bates-pregnant-chad-paine-expecting-fifth-baby-exclusive/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoDbhsrcxwA
- ↑ https://imgur.com/3BMBjqx
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I-4rh6CDTQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLX10j3d-M
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CzDGs4Vsk0T/?img_index=1
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CLAl20hrduX/
- ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/erin-bates-having-another-baby-would-be-miracle-after-surgeries/
- ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/US/tennessee-family-20-relies-thrift-teamwork-make-ends/story?id=14364190
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/05/erins-graduation-2/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/1V5kBsNSje/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/yalEwDlUHI/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/wxHmpflUH6/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKO-K0F1Zl/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BwdAGNqh3I9/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BwgCTDlB6jx/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CWokEmgLZ05/?utm_medium=copy_link
- ↑ "Shall We Dance?". Bringing Up Bates. UPtv, College Park, 17 Oct. 2019.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/@ChadandErin/videos
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/@ChadandErin/videos
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/01/zach-whits-wedding-ceremony/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/07/alyssas-wedding-continued/
- ↑ http://www.batesfamilyblog.com/2015/08/bates-keilen-wedding-pics.html
- ↑ http://www.joncourville.com/blog/2017/10/18/a-duggar-wedding-with-tlc-joy-anna-austin-forsyth
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/BringingUpBates/videos/920968848071030/
- ↑ https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2018/10/08/bringing-up-bates-josie-kelton-wedding/1509102002/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CjOAhiUL_gV/