Filed under: Exclusive, Country News

Jake Owen had quite a year in 2012. The singer married his longtime girlfriend, Lacey, in an intimate beachside ceremony in May, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Olive Pearl, into the world in November. While it may be difficult for some people to adjust to two life-changing events in one year, the singer says it has only made him better.

"I don't really feel like I've changed as a person too much, but I change my views on things," Jake tells The Boot. "There are things I want to be better at now. There are things I want to do to be a better human being and a better father. But as far as completely changing me as a person, I haven't really changed. I just look at things a little bit differently, and work harder to set a better example, not only for my wife and child, but also for the people around me, so they can see me as a serious father, and not someone who is taking having a child for granted. It's a big deal to me."