In early January 2023, Kacey Musgraves took to Instagram to celebrate her ex-boyfriend Cole Schafer's 29th birthday. The couple had been dating since June 2021, following Musgraves' divorce from Ruston Kelly. Their relationship became official when Schafer shared a sweet Polaroid picture of Musgraves on his lap.
For Schafer's birthday, Musgraves posted a carousel of their moments together, expressing her gratitude for their time as a couple. She mentioned their deep talks, adventures, and the small gestures that meant a lot to her. Musgraves also praised Schafer's vulnerability, considering it one of the sexiest things about him.
Cole Schafer, originally from southern Indiana, now resides in Nashville, just like Musgraves. Despite being a skilled guitarist, Schafer earns a living as a copywriter and also writes poetry under the pseudonym January Black. He has published three books of his poetry, including "One Minute, Please?", "After Her," and "Guillotine."
Musgraves revealed in an interview with the New York Times that they had a classic meet-cute in a crowded restaurant. They instantly connected with each other and struck up a conversation. Schafer surprisingly did not recognize Musgraves as a musical superstar, which she found endearing.
Schafer's book "Guillotine" contains references to Musgraves, including a poem inspired by a picture he shared of her. He describes her gaze and the allure captured in the photo. Additionally, Schafer admires Musgraves' talent and dedication to her career. He shared pictures of her performing at Madison Square Garden and praised her authenticity and unapologetic nature.
In a Time magazine interview, Musgraves discussed their decision to be open about their relationship. She expressed her happiness and pride in their love, explaining that she didn't want to keep it private. Musgraves also mentioned that Schafer was supportive of her dreams and ambitions, which she found incredibly beautiful in a partner.
Schafer and Musgraves were deeply in love, as seen in their commitment to charitable causes. They organized the Teddy Bear Ball to raise funds for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, donating over 300 teddy bears. The couple hosted the gala for a second year in a row.
According to sources, Musgraves and Schafer ended their relationship at least a month before reports surfaced on November 28. They had unfollowed each other on Instagram, and sources explained that they were not aligned in terms of their current life situations, leading to the decision to part ways.
