Chase Stokes/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini shared in respective Instagram posts that they're back together after announcing their break-up in September 2025
"2026 my year of growth, my year of truth. Starting here, starting now," Stokes wrote in an Instagram post
The country star, meanwhile, wrote on her Instagram Stories that 2025 was a "messy year for the heart"
Chase StokesandKelsea Balleriniare bringing their love into the new year.
The two celebrities shared in respective Instagram posts on Wednesday, Dec. 31 that they are back together after announcing their break-up in September 2025.
Stokes, 33, included several photos of Ballerini, 32, in a reflectivepostto his feed. "Something I've learned this year: don't take advantage of the most beautiful things that in 33 years of life are fleeting. Take accountability, learn from mistakes. Lean into love and say it often," he wrote in the caption.
Chase Stokes/Instagram
"2026 my year of growth, my year of truth. Starting here, starting now. Happy new years," the actor concluded.
The first photo was of Stokes and Ballerini embracing each other while standing on a porch outside. The dimly-lit snap showed them pressing their faces together, nearly sharing a kiss.
View this post on Instagram
Other pictures include the two hugging while turned towards the camera and Ballerini cuddling a dog in a fluffy brown coat.
Ballerini also shared her thoughts on their rekindled romance on herInstagram Stories, in which she acknowledged their hard times. "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," she wrote over a photo of her and Stokes embracing with a sunset in the background.
Chase Stokes/Instagram
"But what I'll say," she continued, "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 country star concluded with a kissing emoji.
Kelsea Ballerini/Instagram
Ballerini and Stokes initially sparked dating rumors in January 2023 after the Outer Banks actorshared a cuddly photo of themat the Georgia vs. TCU game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The twoteased their relationship in a handful of interviewsbefore going public with their romance in April 2023 at the CMT Awards.
In September 2025, a rep for Balleriniconfirmed to PEOPLE that the couple splitafter nearly three years together. A source told PEOPLE at the time, "They're two adults who gave it their all and tried to do everything they could to make it work, but ultimately couldn't. It happens."
In early November 2025,a source told PEOPLEthat they saw the two "holding hands at the table and talking closely" at a restaurant in Dubrovnik, Croatia. "After they got up, they walked together hand in hand towards Old Town. They looked very cute," the onlooker added.
Just weeks later, on Nov. 20, Stokesshared two cryptic postson his Instagram Stories that hinted at him and the "Baggage" singer being done for good. "Don't believe the media. I'm blocked, I did nothing wrong," Stokes wrote in the first post. "Sorry ❤️ I tried."
Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"I'm sorry for those who believed in us," he wrote in a second post. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards."
Balleriniwrote in an update on her Instagram Storiesin December 2025 that she's "trying to make my personal life personal for now."
"Unless it comes from me, its not from me. and that is really important in protecting my peace right now," the singer added.
Read the original article onPeople