Kelton Edward Balka (born July 4, 1995) is the first child and first son of Michael Balka and Kristy Balka.
He is the brother of Ariana Cape, Grant Balka, Carson Balka, and Kierstin Balka.
He is the husband of Josie Balka and the father of their children, Willow, Hazel, Miles and Brooks.
Early life[]
Kelton as a child
Kelton Edward Balka was born on July 4, 1995, to Michael Balka and Kristy Balka. He was the couple's first child, and they went on to have four more children after him, which resulted in his mother dying while giving birth to her final child, Kierstin, on April 14, 2009.
After his mother's death, the family moved from their home in South Carolina to Tennessee.
Along with his siblings, Kelton was homeschooled growing up. His father taught Bible, History, and P.E., and his mother taught all the other subjects. After his mother passed away, his father assumed responsibility for homeschooling the kids in all subjects. The family used the homeschool umbrella school at Temple Baptist Academy in Powell, Tennessee to report their grades.
Growing up, Kelton was an active participant in Bible Quiz competitions.
Personal life[]
Courting
Courtship[]
Kelton met Josie Bates in 2014 at a piano recital, although the two did not connect much. The following summer, they got to talking after a church service and become friends. Later that year, Josie ended their friendship, as she and her parents felt she was too young to be in a serious relationship.
In November 2016, the two reconnected when Josie accompanied her family on a trip to Kelton's school so his roommate Bobby Smith could ask Josie's sister Tori to begin courting. The two talked cordially, but began texting after that trip. They spent the next semester talking regularly. On August 10, 2017, the couple announced that they were dating. In Fall 2017, Kelton asked Josie's parents for permission to begin courting her, which they granted. In January 2018, the two spent a day together in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and at the Emerts Cove Covered Bridge in Sevierville, Tennessee, Kelton officially asked Josie to court. Their courtship was publicly announced on January 24, 2018. Their courtship proposal was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Heavenly Honeymoon & A Courtship Countdown".
Engaged
Engagement[]
On June 19, 2018, Kelton proposed to Josie, and she said yes. On June 21, 2018, photographer Emily Klarer shared a photo of Kelton with Josie on her Instagram account, with a caption about shooting their engagement photos. This photo was later deleted, as were comments about the engagement on Josie's account.
On June 22, 2018, the couple officially announced their engagement on UpTV. Kelton arrived at Josie's work and sent her on a scavenger hunt that began in Knoxville, Tennessee, and led to Arches National Park in Utah. Each stop of the scavenger hunt included a new charm for Josie's charm bracelet. At the final stop, Kelton proposed, and Josie said yes. Their engagement was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Monumental Proposal".
Just married
Marriage[]
On October 5, 2018, Kelton married Josie Kellyn Bates at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, Tennessee. The wedding was officiated by Josie's father Gil Bates. Kelton's best man was his best friend and Josie's brother-in-law Bobby. His groomsmen were his brother Grant, Josie's brother Trace, and his friends Evan Stewart, John Whitney, and Jayman Yant. The ring bearers were Josie's brother Jeb and Josie's nephews Bradley and Carson. Josie's matron of honor was her sister Alyssa. Her bridesmaids were her sisters Carlin and Katie, her sister-in-law Whitney, Kelton's sister Ariana, and her friend Makayla Landrum. The flower girls were Josie's nieces Allie and Brooklyn and Kelton's sister Kierstin. Josie's sister Erin played the piano and Josie's sister Tori played the violin. Josie's brother Lawson wrote a song titled "Crazy Love" for the wedding. Their wedding was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Bride, a Groom and a Love That's True!".
For their honeymoon, Kelton and Josie spent some time in Asheville, North Carolina, where activities included a lesson in latte art, a trip to a chocolate factory, and a scenic hike to Chimney Rock. They also spent time on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. Their honeymoon was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Latte Love!".
Baby Willow
Fatherhood[]
On February 13, 2019, Kelton and Josie announced that they were expecting their first child, due July 2019. On March 28, 2019, they revealed that the baby would be a girl to be named Willow Kristy Balka. Willow Kristy Balka was born at 2:23 a.m. on July 19, 2019, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Her birth was featured on the Bringing Up Bates episode "A First Time For Everything".
Baby Hazel
On September 9, 2020, Josie revealed that she and Kelton were expecting what would have been their second child, due March 2021. However, at their most recent ultrasound, on August 25, 2020, they had found out that they lost the baby.
On January 5, 2021, Kelton and Josie announced that they were expecting their second child, due June 2021. On February 18, 2021, they revealed that the baby would be a girl to be named Hazel Sloane Balka. Hazel Sloane Balka was born on June 14, 2021, at Tennova North Birthing Center in Powell, Tennessee. She weighed 6 pounds and 3 ounces, and was 18 inches long. After her birth, Hazel was transferred to the NICU at East Tennessee Children's Hospital, due to a blood condition where Josie and Hazel's blood were fighting each other. She was released from the NICU on June 21, 2021.
On August 14, 2023, Kelton and Josie announced that they were expecting their third child, due late February 2024. Josie was induced at midnight on February 21, 2024. They waited to find out the gender until birth. Their son, Miles Kelton, was born on February 21, 2024.
On April 27, 2025, Kelton and Josie announced that they were expecting their fourth child, due December 2025. The due date was later revealed to be December 25, 2025. They waited to find out the gender until birth. Their son, Brooks Hallum, was born on December 6, 2025 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce, and was 19 inches long.
Health[]
In an interview with US Weekly when announcing their pregnancy with Hazel, Josie revealed that their miscarried baby in 2020 "lost its tiny heartbeat" after they both recovered from COVID-19.
Career[]
Education[]
In Fall 2013, Kelton began attending Pensacola Christian College. He was a member of Delta Psi Delta, coached soccer, and worked as a collegian secretary. While in school, he roomed with Bobby Smith. On May 10, 2017, Kelton graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Finance.
Plumbing[]
On April 22, 2014, Kelton became a licensed plumber. He holds the title of Master Plumber.
In May 2014, Kelton began working for The Plumbing Authority in Knoxville, Tennessee. He worked alongside his brothers Grant and Carson.
In January 2020, Kelton started his own plumbing service company, Tennessee Standard in Knoxville, Tennessee, alongside his best friend and brother-in-law Bobby Smith. He works alongside his brother Carson.
Television[]
Kelton was regularly featured on the UpTV show Bringing Up Bates, which chronicles the life of his wife Josie's family.
Wedding involvement[]
Kelton was the best man at his best friend Bobby's wedding to Tori Bates on December 16, 2017.
He was a groomsman at his sister-in-law Carlin's wedding to Evan Stewart on May 25, 2019.
He was a groomsman at his brother Grant's wedding to Maddie Ragle on May 21, 2022.
He was an usher at his brother-in-law Trace's wedding to Lydia Romeike on October 1, 2022.
