Garth Brooks says his proposal to Trisha Yearwood hinged on ex-wife’s nod: 'The brakes would've come on'
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA: Garth Brooks has always been a little unconventional - whether it's his third-person monologues, emotional outbursts, or those unintentionally creepy music videos.
But nothing quite captures his quirky charm like the story behind his proposal to Trisha Yearwood which he recently shared in 'The Anthology Part IV: Going Home,' Whiskey Riff reported.
Garth Brooks' heartwarming story of proposing to Trisha Yearwood
The latest installment of Garth Brooks' autobiographical series focuses on his 14-year hiatus from music and one standout tale offers a glimpse into the lengths Garth went to make sure everyone was on board with his big question—literally everyone.
The story begins in 2005 when Garth decided to propose to Trisha.
Like a gentleman, he first asked her parents for their blessing. On a plane ride with Jack and Gwen Yearwood, Garth popped the question (to them, not her). "I have Jack and Gwen all to myself on a plane, and I ask them for their daughter’s hand in marriage. I get their permission. And now I have to ask the three daughters," he said.
The “three daughters” Garth referred to are his children from his first marriage to Sandy Mahl. To ensure everyone was on the same page, he took his girls — then ages 10, eight, and six — out to dinner and broached the subject of marrying Trisha.
According to Garth, one of them immediately said, "We started talking about the future, and August or somebody said, ‘Dad, are you getting around to ask us about you marrying Trisha?’ I said, ‘Yes, I am.’"
But Garth took things further. He made it clear this wasn’t just a marriage between him and Trisha; it was a family affair. He told his daughters, "You three and Trisha are going to have to get married as well. You’ll exchange rings, vows, everything," he said.
Despite being unconventional, Garth’s gesture showed just how much he valued his daughters' role in the family dynamic. And yet, he wasn’t done consulting.
Garth Brooks reveals unforgettable way he got his ex-wife's blessing
Before proposing to Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks also sought approval from his ex-wife Sandy Mahl but, according to him, if she had said no, he would have reconsidered.
"If Sandy would’ve said no, then that would’ve affected a lot of things. The brakes would’ve come on because we’d have to love together as a family," he said.
Luckily, Sandy gave her blessing, calling it the “right move for our family.”
With everyone’s green light, Garth went all out for the big moment, staging his proposal at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California, during its grand opening.
The event featured statue unveilings of country music legends, including Merle Haggard, George Strait, and Garth himself.
When Garth’s statue was revealed, it had a wedding ring on its hand. He took Trisha’s hand and pointed to the ring.
Though her initial reaction was to shake her head, leaving Garth wondering if he had completely misjudged the moment, Trisha quickly clarified, "I know it must have scared him to death, but my first reaction was, ‘No! This can’t be happening in front of all these people! But yes! Yes! Yes!’"
