Born Laura Lane Welch in 1946, the Midland, Texas native grew up as an only child. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1968 with a degree in education and taught second grade for two years. Then she enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a master's degree in Library Science in 1973. 

Her work as a librarian continued, first in the Houston Public Library system and then in the Austin Independent School District, where she stayed until 1977. 

That same year she met George W. Bush at a backyard barbecue of their mutual friends. 

They were married in November of 1977. 

In 1981, the two welcomed fraternal twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara.