Lydia Bates

**Lydia Johanna Bates** (née **Romeike**) (born April 10, 1998) is the second child and first daughter of Uwe Romeike and Hannelore Romeike.

She is the sister of Daniel Romeike, Joshua Romeike, Christian Romeike, Damaris Romeike, Sarah Romeike, and Rebecca Romeike.

She is the wife of Trace Bates and the mother of their son, **Ryker**.

## Early life

Lydia Johanna Romeike was born on April 10, 1998, in Bissingen, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, to Uwe Romeike and Hannelore Romeike. She was the couple's second child, and they went on to have five more children after her.

Along with her siblings, Lydia was homeschooled growing up. She attended public school until second grade.

Lydia was born in Bissingen, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, but moved to the United States with her family in August 2008 because they were being persecuted for homeschooling their children. In Germany, it is required that almost all children must attend a government sanctioned school (Private, Christian, Jewish, Public, etc.). The Romeikes wanted to homeschool their children, due to their Evangelical Christian faith, and were facing fines, forcible removal of their children, and possible imprisonment due to this. They came to America and sought asylum for religious freedom. Originally, they were facing deportation in the United States upon the Supreme Court's ruling not to hear their case, but have since appealed that ruling and have been given an indefinite deferred status. This was also made complicated by the fact that their two youngest children are American citizens by birth.

## Personal life

### Relationship with Trace

On December 10, 2021, Lydia announced via Instagram that she was in a relationship with Trace Bates. Of the relationship, Lydia wrote: *"Can't believe you're mine"*. It had been speculated for a few weeks prior to this announcement that they were in a relationship. Lydia had been seen alongside Trace at some of his family's events on his sisters' Instagram stories. They officially started dating on August 11, 2021. They were set up by Trace's sister Josie, who befriended Lydia after working together on a photoshoot a year prior.

### Engagement

On March 31, 2022, Lydia and Trace announced that they were engaged. They got engaged on March 21, 2022 at Embassy Suites Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their engagement was featured on their YouTube channel.

> *"I don't think I've ever admired him more or been more speechless! He went through so many hoops and planned so hard to make this day perfect for me, and I feel so blessed to be preparing to marry someone that loves me so much. I'm overjoyed!"*
>
>

### Marriage

On October 1, 2022, Lydia married Trace Whitfield Bates at Colley Hill Farm in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The wedding had around 350 guests. The couple shared their first kiss at the altar. The wedding was officiated by Trace's father Gil Bates and Lydia's pastor Dean Haun. Lydia's matron of honor was her sister-in-law Hannah and her maid of honor was her sister Damaris. Her bridesmaids were Trace's sisters Josie, Addallee, and Ellie and her friends Emily Dollar and Chloe Graham. The flower girls were Trace's nieces Willow and Khloé and Lydia's family friend Lydia Nafziger. Trace's best men were his brothers Jackson and Warden. His groomsmen were his brother Isaiah, Lydia's brothers Joshua and Christian, and his friends Logan Smith and Jonas Thatcher. The ring bearers were Trace's brother Jeb, Trace's nephew Bradley, and Lydia's family friend Weston Nafziger. Trace's brother Lawson sang at the wedding. The pianists were Trace's sister Erin and Trace's brother-in-law Bobby. The violinist was Trace's sister Tori. The ushers were Trace's brother-in-law Kelton, Lydia's brother Daniel, and Trace's family friends Jason Duggar and Austin Forsyth. Her dress was designed by Renee Miller of Renee's Bridal. Their wedding was featured on their YouTube channel.

For their honeymoon, Lydia and Trace went to Hawai'i.

### Motherhood

In late February 2023, Lydia and Trace teased that they had a huge announcement coming on March 4, 2023. On March 4, 2023, they announced that they were expecting their first child, due September 26, 2023. On April 1, 2023, they revealed that they were expecting a boy. On May 12, 2023, they revealed that they would be naming their son **Ryker Cruise Bates**. Ryker Cruise was born at 11:54 p.m. on September 12, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He weighed 6 pounds and 8 ounces, and was 19 ½ inches long.

## Health

On July 6, 2022, Lydia got her wisdom teeth taken out.

## Career

### Photography

Lydia owns and operates Lydia Romeike Photography in Norris, Tennessee. She started this business in 2016.

### Model

Lydia worked as a model at Gage Model and Talent Agency in Knoxville, Tennessee.

### Effortless Beauty

Lydia is a model and photographer at her sister-in-law Josie's business, Effortless Beauty in Knoxville, Tennessee.

### Church

Lydia worked in the nursery at her church, First Baptist Church in Morristown, Tennessee.

### Camp

Lydia worked at a summer camp that helps families with members who have disabilities.

## Wedding involvement

Lydia was a bridesmaid at her brother Daniel's wedding to Hannah Pressley on May 8, 2022.

She was a matron of honor at her friend Emily Dollar's wedding to Evan Keener on April 16, 2023.

## Gallery

* Lydia as a child.
* Lydia in December 2020.
* Courtship announcement.
* Trace proposing to Lydia.
* Lydia in May 2022.
* Just married.
* Honeymoon.
* Lydia in December 2022.
* Pregnancy announcement.
* Gender reveal.
* Birth announcement.
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