Tyler Hubbard Praises His Wife For Her Strength Through Labor and Delivery

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and his wife Hayley received one of the most precious Christmas gifts when their daughter, Olivia Rose, was born on December 23 at a Nashville-area hospital. While Hubbard couldn’t do much but stand by his wife’s side during the delivery, he admits that watching her give birth was an eye-opening experience.

“It was a pretty wild rush of emotions and I think Hayley felt the same way,” Hubbard told PEOPLE. “Right when she was born, they put her on Hayley’s chest and wiped her off a little bit and we spent a little time with her. It was definitely a magical moment, and a moment that we’d been waiting for, for a long time.”

“Watching Hayley go through the laboring process from start to finish and seeing the prize at the end of the race was pretty rewarding and really, really cool,” he added. “It was definitely a special moment for both of us, and something we’ll never forget.”

The process left Hubbard amazed by his wife’s strength and courage when it came to her labor, explaining that he realizes exactly why it’s women who give birth.

“I think it’s something that God doesn’t let men do for a reason — I don’t know if we could get through it,” admitted Hubbard, adding that he has a new respect for both Hayley  and “all women who have babies.”

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While Hubbard praises Hayley’s strength throughout the entire process, she also admires him for how he’s stepped up to be a supportive and involved new dad.

“He’s been my helping hand and supportive — everything and more than I ever expected him to do. He’s been wonderful,” she told the publication.

With only a few weeks of parenthood under their belts, the couple continue to navigate the new adventure they now face together… including the trials and tribulations of breastfeeding, which Hayley admits “is definitely a little harder than” expected.

“I’ve been loving that bonding experience so much,” she said. “[But] we’ve gotten such great advice from all of our friends that it’s been nice to feel a little prepared for whatever we can.”

Tyler Hubbard and his FGL bandmate Brian Kelley will enjoy some well-deserved time off the road until they hit the road on the festival circuit in the spring. The duo has yet to announce plans for a 2018 tour.