Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
Kelsea Ballerini marked a significant birthday celebration over the weekend, as her boyfriend, actor Chase Stokes, turned 31 on Saturday, September 16.
She expressed her wishes on social media, saying, “Happy birthday, my sweet Virgo,” while sharing a collection of photos and videos that showcased their relationship. The post captures Stokes’ playful personality and his affection for animals, featuring images of him kneeling beside a dog and holding up a kitten.
The post also includes numerous photos and videos highlighting the couple’s journey together thus far. Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have been enjoying a strong and loving relationship for approximately nine months, and she took the opportunity to reminisce about some of their most cherished moments and significant milestones. These moments range from glamorous industry events to casual sidestage hangouts and shared meals on their days off.
The final photo that Ballerini shared takes a nostalgic look back to where it all began: on Instagram. She initiated their relationship by making the first move and sliding into Stokes’ DMs, and she shared a screenshot of that initial exchange, marking a pivotal moment in their journey together.
Ballerini has previously shared the story of how she and Stokes first crossed paths. “His [Instagram] handle is @HiChaseStokes, and I said, ‘Hi, Chase Stokes,'” she revealed during an early 2023 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. The screenshot of their conversation reveals that she sent that fateful DM on December 1, 2022, at 1:07 AM, and he responded a few hours later, even before the sun had risen that day.
Stokes represents Ballerini’s first public relationship since her divorce from country singer Morgan Evans in mid-2022. She openly documented the pain and healing that followed her divorce in her February 2023 project, “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.” The songs from this EP featured prominently in her Heartfirst Tour shows throughout the year. “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” has since received a deluxe reissue and is considered a contender for Album of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards.
