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Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Kick Off New Year with Heartfelt Reflections and PDA
Nashville, TN – Country music sensation Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks heartthrob Chase Stokes ushered in the new year by sharing intimate moments and candid reflections on their respective Instagram accounts Wednesday, much to the delight of their fans. The couple’s posts offered a glimpse into their relationship, marked by both tender affection and a shared commitment to personal growth.
Stokes, 33, posted a gallery of photos featuring himself and Ballerini in a cozy, low-key New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with snuggles and kisses. His caption emphasized the importance of cherishing fleeting moments and taking accountability.
“Something I’ve learned this year: don’t take advantage of the most beautiful things that in 33 years of life are fleeting,” he wrote. “Take accountability, learn from mistakes.
Lean into love and say it often. 2026 my year of growth, my year of truth. Starting here, starting now.
Happy new years.”
Ballerini, equally reflective, acknowledged the tumultuous yet memorable nature of the past year. “2025, you were the most glittery, stress rash inducing year i’ve ever experienced. i will always remember you,” she shared on her account. Her Instagram Stories further showcased their New Year’s festivities, including a video of her enjoying champagne outdoors and a sweet photo of her and Stokes sharing a kiss.
Addressing the complexities of her personal life and the public eye, Ballerini continued, “Messy year for the heart, messy year for the outside coming in, messy year for the way it became an out of our hands portrayal of it, but what i’ll say, and all i really care to share indefinitely with my personal life anymore, is that i really love love. i believe in it, i believe in him, and i believe in breaking patterns. now go kiss your person and stop speculating.”
The couple’s social media activity comes amidst reports of a on-again, off-again relationship throughout the past year, with some outlets suggesting a brief reconciliation in November after a September breakup. However, their recent posts firmly position them together as they embark on 2026.