The Bringing Up Bates family has long adhered to a courtship process before marriage, a tradition that set them apart from modern dating.
Gil and Kelly Jo Bates are parents of 19 children: Zach, Michaela, Erin, Lawson, Nathan, Alyssa, Tori, Trace, Carlin, Josie, Katie, Jackson, Warden, Isaiah, Addallee, Ellie, Callie, Jud and Jeb. Their large family first appeared on TV in 2012's United Bates of America and later starred on UpTV's Bringing Up Bates for 10 seasons until its cancellation in 2022.
The Bates' courtships came with strict rules, including no kissing and mandatory chaperones on dates to avoid physical temptation. Below is a recap of how each couple began their journey:
Gil and Kelly Jo met in a college chemistry class at Anderson College when they were 22 and 21, marrying just before graduation. Zach and Whitney Bates began courting in 2013 and wed less than a year later, now expecting their sixth child in 2026. Michaela Bates and Brandon Keilen started courting in 2013, got engaged two years later, and married in 2015, becoming foster parents in 2025. Erin Bates and Chad Paine started courting in 2012, married in 2013, and have seven children, with Erin recovering from septic shock after childbirth. Lawson Bates and Tiffany Espensen began dating in 2020, married in 2022, and have two sons. Nathan and Esther Bates married in 2021 after a seven-month courtship, with two children. Alyssa Bates and John Webster started courting in 2013 and married in 2014, with five kids. Tori Bates and Bobby Smith began courting in 2016, married in 2017, and have six children. Carlin Bates and Evan Stewart started courting in 2016 and married in 2019, with three kids. Josie Bates and Kelton Balka began courting in 2017, married in 2018, and have four children. Katie Bates and Travis Clark started courting in 2020, married in 2021, and faced a public marital challenge in 2026 after a miscarriage and infidelity confession. Jackson and Emerson Bates started courting in 2022 and married in 2023. Warden Bates confirmed his courtship with Kaybrie Patterson in March 2026, getting engaged in May 2026.