Esther Joy Bates (née Keyes) (born October 14, 1997) is the ninth child and fourth daughter of George Keyes and Lisa Keyes.
She is the sister of Lauren Kanagy, Ann Kanagy, David Keyes, Andrew Keyes, Eric Keyes, Elizabeth Keyes, Matthew Keyes, Aaron Keyes, Leah Taylor, Jennifer Keyes, Emily Keyes, Nathaniel Keyes, and Jason Keyes.
She is the wife of Nathan Bates and the mother of their children, Kenna and Graham.
Early life[]
Esther Joy Keyes was born on October 14, 1997, in Pennsylvania, to George Keyes and Lisa Keyes. She was the couple's ninth child, and they went on to have five more children after her.
Along with her siblings, Esther was homeschooled growing up.
Esther and her siblings were raised Mennonite until about 2012.
Personal life[]
Relationship with Nathan[]
On October 14, 2020, Esther started a relationship with Nathan Bates. On January 2, 2021, Esther posted a picture of her and Nathan together with the caption "Date Night". In the picture, she tagged Nathan, who posted a similar picture the following day from the same event.
Engaged
Engagement[]
On May 22, 2021, Esther got engaged to Nathan Bates, along Lake Conway in Orlando, Florida, after a three-day celebration of their relationship that spanned three different cities in Cherry Ridge, Pennsylvania, Rocky Top, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida.
Just married
Marriage[]
On October 22, 2021, Esther married Kenneth Nathaniel "Nathan" Bates at The Star Barn in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The wedding had around 350 guests. The couple shared their first kiss at the altar. The wedding was officiated by Dean Miller. Esther's maid of honor was her sister Elizabeth. Her bridesmaids were her sister Emily, her sisters-in-law Madison Keyes and Gracie Keyes, her cousin Amber Zwolinski, and her friend Tiffany Espensen. The flower girls were Esther's nieces Oaklyn Keyes and Jewel Kanagy and Nathan's nieces Kaci, Brooklyn, and Lexi. Nathan's best man was his father Gil. His groomsmen were his brothers Lawson and Trace and his friends John-David Duggar, Elias Gollapalli, and Andrew Patton. The ring bearers were Nathan's nephews Bradley, Carson, and Kade and Esther's nephews Gabriel Keyes and Joseph Kanagy. The ushers were Nathan's brothers Zach and Jackson and Esther's brother Andrew. The pianists were Nathan's sister Erin and Esther's brothers Eric and Matthew. The violinist was Nathan's sister Tori. Nathan's brother Lawson wrote a song for the wedding. Esther and Nathan sang a song together at the wedding. Nathan and his groomsmen sky-dived into the ceremony, while Esther arrived in a horse drawn carriage. Her dress was designed by Renee Miller of Renee's Bridal.
For their honeymoon, Esther and Nathan went to Gatorland in Orlando, Florida and the Bahamas.
Baby Kenna
Motherhood[]
On May 8, 2022, Esther and Nathan announced via Instagram that they were expecting their first child, due October 2022. On June 19, 2022, they revealed that they were expecting a girl and that they were naming her Kenna Joy Bates. Kenna Joy was born at 3:57 p.m. on October 17, 2022, at Willow Creek Women's Hospital in Johnson, Arkansas. She weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce, and was 19 inches long.
Baby Graham
On March 21, 2024, Esther and Nathan announced via Instagram that they are expecting their second child, due in October 2024. On June 1, 2024, they announced that they are having a boy. Their son, Graham Alan was born on October 4, 2024, weighing 6lbs 15oz and measuring 20.5 inches.
Career[]
Bates Sisters Boutique[]
Esther did photo shoots for Bates Sisters Boutique in Rocky Top, Tennessee.
Television[]
Esther appeared on the UpTV show Bringing Up Bates, which chronicles the lives of her husband Nathan's family.
Wedding involvement[]
Esther was a bridesmaid at her brother-in-law Lawson's wedding to Tiffany Espensen on May 12, 2022.
She was a bridesmaid at her sister Elizabeth's wedding to Jonathan Martzall on December 9, 2022.
