If you are anything like me, you love Instagram. If you watch me scroll through my feed, you will find a whole lot of ... food, nature, fashion and celebrity pictures. This is where the question arises: do you actually know those people? My answer is, no. But let me tell you -- follow anyone long enough and you feel like you are a part of their life. This is one of the beauties of Instagram.

So, I’m a country music fan, meaning I love to follow my favorite artists. Call me crazy, but somehow this lead me to follow their wives on Instagram as well ... it’s not that I think the artist is “oh so hot” and just “too dreamy” not to follow; it’s that I love learning about their personality. It makes me feel like I know who they are -- the best example of this has been through Thomas Rhett.

(@laur_akins)

Last fall, when Thomas Rhett’s new album came out -- I was sure to listen to it all the way through. One song stuck out to me in particular, and I am sure if you are a fan of him, you know where I am going: "Die A Happy Man." I listened to this song and just thought, whoever this song is about is a lucky lady. So of course, I did my research. I guess that’s where you could say I began to feel like I was friends with Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins.

Thomas Rhett and his lovely wife Lauren have the cutest marriage, and you know why I can tell that? Instagram, but also because I feel like we’re friends. As my search began it went a little something like this...

Search: Who is Thomas Rhett’s wife?

Answer: Lauren Akins

Search: How did they meet?

Answer: They met in the first grade!

I was sold. This was a love story I had to follow. Of course, you go on to read all the efforts TR had taken to sweep this beaut off her feet. It mentions that this pursuit didn’t truly begin until Lauren maybe noticed him when they were 16.

(@laur_akins)

The pictures go on and on. Thanks to Thomas and Lauren for bringing their fans and insiders into their lives. Fans are able to follow their vacation trips, learn about their love for their dogs, and all of a sudden this celebrity doesn't seem like someone so far away. It seems like any other close friend you follow on Instagram.

(@laur_akins)

Recently, Thomas Rhett won Single Record of the Year at the ACM for "Die A Happy Man." I feel overwhelmed with excitement -- like I'm celebrating a best friend. And why might I feel this way? Because of Instagram.

I feel like I have been able to follow them along the way, so this big celebration makes me feel as though I get to cheer my friend on and be excited for them, as I admire from afar.

If I ever meet Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins I would know way too much about them to even seem like a normal person. But in the meantime ... Lauren, Thomas, and other celebrities, thank you for letting your fans into your lives. Thank you for letting us follow your fun vacations and giving us a glimpse into who you truly are. You make a fan feel more like a friend.