Home › Closerweekly40

Ree And Ladd Drummond: A Love Story That Began In A Smoky Bar

Alaina April 17, 2025

Hey there, friends! You won’t believe this, but the love story between Ree Drummond, the star of The Pioneer Woman, and her husband, Ladd Drummond, is one for the ages. This incredible couple has been together for over two decades, raising five beautiful children. What’s even more surprising? They first met in the most unexpected place—a smoky bar. Let me tell you their story.

How It All Began: A Night Out in Bartlesville

So, here’s the deal. Ree had just finished college in Los Angeles, California, and was planning to move to Chicago for law school. But before she could take that step, she found herself back in her hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for a little while. One evening, she went out with her girlfriends, and that’s where fate stepped in.

In that dimly lit, smoky bar, Ree spotted Ladd across the room. He was standing there, cool as a cucumber, wearing Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and sipping on a bottled beer. With his salt-and-pepper hair and those mesmerizing blue-green eyes, he caught her attention immediately. But it wasn’t just his looks—it was his hands. Yep, his hands. There was something about them that made Ree take notice, and she couldn’t look away.

Read also:
Jenna Bush Hagers Life Beyond The Spotlight A Closer Look At Her Real Estate Journey

The Spark That Ignited Their Romance

There was an instant connection between them, and Ree was sure that Ladd would call her the next day. But guess what? It took him four whole months to finally ask her out. Four months! Can you imagine waiting that long? Despite the delay, something about their chemistry worked. Even though Ree was a city girl through and through, and Ladd was every bit the Marlboro Man, they clicked in a way that neither of them could have predicted.

Fast forward to September 1996, and these two lovebirds tied the knot. Their wedding day was nothing short of memorable. Ree’s brother, Mike, serenaded the crowd with a heartfelt rendition of “Elvira,” and Ladd and his college buddies were glued to the men’s locker room watching Arizona State take on Nebraska. Yep, football almost stole the spotlight on their big day, but who can blame them?

Growing a Family Together

As newlyweds, Ree and Ladd decided to let nature take its course when it came to family planning. And boy, did it ever work! Before they knew it, they were welcoming their first four children—Alex, Paige, Bryce, and Todd. In 2019, their family grew even bigger when they welcomed Jamar, whom Ree affectionately calls her “bonus son,” into their lives. This family truly knows how to embrace love in all its forms.

Through Thick and Thin: Supporting Each Other

Life hasn’t always been easy for the Drummonds, but they’ve faced every challenge head-on. One of the toughest moments came on March 10 when Ladd was involved in a firetruck accident while responding to fires near their farm in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. According to reports, the crash was head-on, and both Ladd and their nephew, Caleb, were injured.

Five days after the accident, Ree shared an update on her blog, revealing that Ladd had broken his neck in two places. She wrote, “Thanks to some rods and other hardware (and an amazing neurosurgeon named Dr. Kalani), it’s fixed now and that danger is over.” While Ladd had to wear a neck brace for several weeks, Ree and the kids made the best of it, even planning to decorate the brace for Alex’s upcoming wedding. It’s moments like these that remind us how strong their bond truly is.

A Love That Inspires Us All

Ree and Ladd’s story is a testament to the power of love and resilience. From meeting in a smoky bar to building a life together filled with laughter, challenges, and unconditional love, they’ve shown us what it means to stand by each other through thick and thin. We’re sending all our love and prayers to the Drummond family as they continue to navigate life’s ups and downs.