In the span of just two years, Ruthie Collins experienced a whirlwind of life-changing events—falling in love, getting married, and welcoming her first child—all while keeping much of it private. “I’ve always believed life should be a beautiful romantic adventure,” Collins, 40, shared with PEOPLE. “That’s exactly how it uncovered, though it all happened very quickly.”
During an earlier interview with PEOPLE in January 2022, Collins hinted at being in a happy relationship. Reflecting on that time, she revealed, “I had gone through a tough breakup just four days before heading overseas for a March 2022 tour with Sam Outlaw. I was heartbroken and spent a lot of time crying alone in hotel rooms across the UK.”
From heartbreak to happiness, Ruthie Collins found love on the final tour night
Her fortunes changed on the final night of the tour when she met Rory Mitchinson, a man who immediately piqued her interest. “He had an incredible mustache, and I’m a sucker for that,” Collins joked about Mitchinson, who had attended her show that evening.
Intrigued, she spent hours talking with him after the show. “We wandered around this ancient city with cobblestone streets and centuries-old bridges. It felt so romantic,” she recalled. “He walked me back to my hotel, gave me a hug, and left. I was convinced he must have a girlfriend.”
As it turned out, Mitchinson was unattached and sent her a heartfelt message the following day, expressing his joy at meeting her. This sparked an ongoing exchange of messages and voice notes, where his accent became part of their budding connection.
By June 2022, Mitchinson traveled to the U.S., and their relationship quickly blossomed. “That’s when everything truly took off,” Collins explained. “We spent a couple of years going back and forth between England and here.”
Their lives took a major turn in September 2023 when they learned they were expecting a child. “Given my age, we had already decided to start trying sooner rather than later,” Collins shared. The couple tied the knot on March 20, 2024, shortly before welcoming their daughter, Esme Winslow Mitchinson.
Esme, now five months old, inspired Collins’ latest single, “Barefoot No Fences,” co-written with Kristy Osmunson. Reflecting on her childhood, Collins said, “Growing up on a farm with no fences gave my sister and me the freedom to explore and feel safe. The song captures that sense of adventure and love while knowing where home is. That’s what I want for Esme too.”
