Reba McEntire's Emotional Response To A Big Birthday Surprise Hits Me Right In My Heart
Image via NBC/Trae Patton

Reba McEntire's Emotional Response To A Big Birthday Surprise Hits Me Right In My Heart

It's hard to believe, but Reba McEntire is 70 years old. The Grand Ole Opry member turned a new decade on March 28, receiving the best gift: a surprise visit from her son, Shelby Blackstock, and his wife, Marissa. The couple posted on social media that they were heading to Chicago for a baby show. In fact, they were on their way to Connecticut to surprise McEntire after her show.

Videos by Wide Open Country

As seen in the video, McEntire was speechless after the concert, when she realized her son and his wife had traveled so far, just to help her celebrate.

" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;margin: 1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)">

The love between mother and son clearly goes both ways. In February, McEntire posted a sweet tribute to Shelby, for his 35th birthday.

"One of the greatest blessings God has given me," McEntire said at the time. "I love you with all my heart, Shelby."

Shelby is the only child McEntire had with her second husband, Narvel Blackstock. The two wed in 1989, and divorced in 2015.

Reba McEntire's Busy New Decade

Most people, at least those as successful as McEntire, would be happy to retire and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Fortunately, McEntire is just getting started. In addition to touring, the Oklahoma native is also starring in the hit NBC TV show, Happy's Place. The sitcom, which stars her longtime boyfriend Rex Linn, and her close friend, Melissa Peterman, was just picked up for a second season.

It was McEntire's idea to have Linn join the show. The two met while both working on Kenny Rogers' 1991 film, The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw. Almost 30 years later, while working on the set of Young Sheldon together, sparks flew.

"When we were working on ['Happy's Place'], they said, 'We're going to have a short-order cook,' and I said, 'That's gotta be Rex,'" McEntire shares on the Today Show. "We have a blast. I love it. He brings me into work. He drives us to work and then takes us home, and he's my rehearsal coach, so I rehearse a lot."