Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini continue to harbor a profound connection, subtly affirming their enduring affection through a tender Instagram Story snapshot of Kelsea's beloved pup. On August 3, the "Outer Banks" heartthrob captured the heartwarming moment, focusing his lens on Dibs, Kelsea's furry companion adorned with a blue collar while nestled securely in someone's embrace. The 32-year-old actor sweetly adorned the image with a red heart emoji, whispering his feelings through the digital realm.
This public display of affection comes amidst whispers that the couple—officially an item since January 2023—might have parted ways, fueled by Kelsea's deletion of a July 4th photo collage featuring her actor beau from her social media pages. Compounding these rumors, several of her TikTok videos starring Chase were also removed, prompting one observer to speculate on TikTok on August 1, "Insights into the rumored split between Kelsea and Chase."
However, the pair has since effectively squashed these breakup theories. Beyond Chase's endearing pup pic, they were also recently spotted enjoying a cozy dinner date in Nashville, immortalized by a fan's TikTok post on August 4.
This year has not been devoid of rumors for the duo, with many fans conjecturing that Kelsea might be expecting after she canceled a handful of tour dates in February. Addressing these pregnancy whispers in February, Kelsea responded to a curious TikTok comment inquiring, "Maybe pregnant?" with a video of herself quipping, "Or maybe it's the flu." She further reassured her fans in the caption of the post, "Regardless, I'm feeling better and can't wait to rock out with you tonight, Buffalo."
While the pair isn't welcoming a new addition to their family just yet, Kelsea has already integrated Chase into her creative process, making him an integral part of her songwriting journey. She revealed on "Today" in October, "'First Rodeo' is the first love song I crafted for Chase. It's a tune where I admitted to feeling fragile and apprehensive about opening my heart fully, yet I embrace love wholeheartedly, especially my love for you." Additionally, she shared at an October listening party for her album "Patterns" that "How Much Do You Love Me?" was also inspired by him, saying, "This is the most tender track on the album. I was downstairs strumming my guitar when Chase asked, 'What's that?' and I responded, 'It's a love song for you.'"
