Luke Bryan + Caroline Boyer — Country’s Greatest Love Stories

When Luke Bryan was a senior at Georgia Southern University, his eyes landed on Caroline Boyer, a freshman at the time, and the fishing fanatic was in, hook, line and sinker.

“It took me eight seconds to figure it out, and it took her about eight years to figure it out,” he admits. “I had to drink a lot before I could go talk to her, but I did. Somehow I managed to ease over there and somewhat be charming. It was one of those situations for me, it was like, ‘Who is that, and how do I go talk to her? And, yep, I’m going to marry that girl.’”

Although the country singer is all bravado and confidence onstage, he was certainly more restrained while pursuing his now-wife.

“He was always a gentleman,” she tells People. “We hung out as friends first, and he never made a move on me. I kissed him first! He was always so scared of making a girl feel uncomfortable, he wouldn’t cross a line.”

The couple dated on and off for several years before marrying in 2006. Add two sons, adopted nieces and an adopted nephew, and a whole lot of fame to the mix, and you have the Bryan family. So, how do they keep their marriage strong, even amidst heavy travel and a busy family?

“We have coffee in the morning, just Caroline and me. It’s my favorite time of the day; anytime we can have 30 minutes to talk, it’s just great,” says the star. “Every night before bed, I rub my wife’s feet. She says they’re the best foot rubs on Earth.”