After years of playful teasing and waiting, country music star Lainey Wilson finally got the moment she was hoping for—her longtime boyfriend, Devlin “Duck” Hodges, proposed. 

Wilson took to Instagram on February 12 to share the exciting news, just weeks after joking that she might have to take matters into her own hands if a proposal didn’t happen soon.

A Long-Awaited Engagement

Wilson’s Instagram post featured heartwarming photos of the proposal, as well as a video capturing her sheer excitement. 

The caption, “4x4xU forever,” hinted at a personal sentiment between the couple.

Hodges, who previously played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams, has since transitioned into a career in real estate. 

The former quarterback has been by Wilson’s side throughout her rise in country music and acting, and now, the couple is officially engaged after more than three years of dating.

Wilson’s Hints About Wanting a Proposal

The engagement comes after Wilson made headlines in January for joking that she might have to propose to Hodges herself. While speaking to Bunnie Xo for CMT, the Heart Like a Truck singer responded to Bunnie’s hopes that an engagement would happen in 2025.

“No pressure, brother! No pressure,” Wilson playfully said about her longtime boyfriend. “I might have to propose to him. We waiting!”

Bunnie, who is married to country singer Jelly Roll, confidently predicted that Hodges would take the lead. “No, Duck’s gonna do it. I could feel it,” she said.

“I like that,” Wilson responded, hinting that she was ready for the next step.

Keeping Their Romance Private

Wilson and Hodges have been together for years but kept their relationship under wraps until May 2023, when they made their red carpet debut at the ACM Awards. At the time, Wilson clarified that while they had been secretly dating for more than two years, they weren’t engaged—yet.

“We’re not secretly engaged,” she said during an interview on The Bobby Bones Show. “No!”

Still, Wilson playfully admitted that she was getting impatient. “But I guess I’m gonna have to propose to his a– ’cause he ain’t proposed to me,” she joked.

While fans were eager to see the couple take the next step, Wilson wanted to wait for the right time in their busy lives. “I think [an engagement] needs to be during a season of our life where we really have the time to, like, enjoy it,” she explained.

A Supportive Relationship Built on Understanding

One of the reasons Wilson and Hodges have such a strong bond is their shared understanding of chasing big dreams. Wilson, who has become a major name in country music and landed a role on Yellowstone, has often praised Hodges for being a supportive partner.

“He knows what it’s like chasing a dream because he’s done that for himself,” she said in a previous interview. “He was in the NFL. He tried out literally for the [Pittsburgh] Steelers and made it and had a really great run with them. Went out to the LA Rams and did that.”

Hodges may have left his football career behind, but he remains one of Wilson’s biggest supporters. While attending the 2024 CMT Awards together, Wilson gushed about her fiancé, calling him a “looker” and sharing how much his encouragement means to her.

“He’s one of my biggest cheerleaders,” she told Fox News Digital. “I always say that he’s the kind of dude that will high-five you on the way in the door and high-five you on the way out.

“Especially with the kind of job that I have, it’s important to have those kinds of people in your life. So, I’m very thankful that he’s here with me.”

The Story Behind the Nickname “Duck”

Hodges, now known just as much for being Wilson’s fiancé as he is for his football career, earned his nickname “Duck” long before he was a public figure. Wilson previously explained the backstory during a 2023 appearance on The Bobby Bones Show.

“His college football coach was, like, ‘You’re one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever worked with. And you remind me a lot of one of my favorite quarterbacks I got to work with years ago, and we called him “Duck.”’ And so, he and the team just kind of started calling him ‘Duck,’” she revealed.

A Love Story That’s Just Getting Started

Wilson and Hodges have spent years supporting each other’s careers, sharing laughs, and keeping their relationship mostly out of the spotlight. But now, with their engagement official, fans can’t wait to see what’s next for the couple.

From playful jokes about proposing to finally getting the moment she dreamed of, Wilson’s love story with Hodges is proof that sometimes, good things really are worth the wait.
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