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Kelsea Ballerini<\/a> and Chase Stokes may have briefly pressed pause on their romance earlier this year \u2014 but their connection never really disappeared.<\/p>\n According to Us Weekly<\/em><\/a>, the country star and Outer Banks<\/em> actor are back together and slowly working through what led to their split, choosing to move forward with clarity and care.<\/p>\n \u201cThey really picked up where they left off,\u201d a source tells the outlet, adding that the two \u201cnever really stopped being in touch\u201d during their time apart.<\/p>\n Insiders say it was Ballerini who took the first step, realizing she wasn\u2019t ready to let go<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cKelsea wanted to give it another chance and missed Chase a lot,\u201d the source explained.<\/p>\n Read More: <\/i><\/b>Kelsea Ballerini Opens Up About Wanting Kids In New Song \u2018I Sit in Parks\u2019 [LISTEN]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Stokes, 33, reportedly never wanted the breakup in the first place: \u201cHe always felt there was something between them<\/a> and believed they just needed time to cool off and figure things out.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, the couple is \u201cin a more grounded place,\u201d the source continued, having \u201cworked through some of their issues\u201d and embracing this fresh start with hope.<\/p>\n Ballerini, 32, and Stokes were first linked in early 2023 after she famously slid into his DMs \u2014 something she later confirmed during an appearance on Call Her Daddy<\/em>.<\/p>\n The relationship blossomed quickly<\/a>, with the two going red carpet official that spring at the CMT Music Awards and posting affectionate tributes on social media.<\/p>\n Fans were caught off guard when breakup reports surfaced this fall \u2014 especially after Stokes posted a sweet birthday message calling Ballerini \u201cmy love.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the couple hasn\u2019t publicly confirmed the reunion, eyewitnesses recently spotted them looking cozy near Edinburgh Castle in Scotland<\/a> \u2014 a sign that things may be back on track.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Here Are the 21 Saddest Country Songs by Women, Ranked [Photos]<\/a><\/p>\n For now, Ballerini and Stokes are said to be keeping things private and taking it slow. \u201cThey\u2019re hopeful this time around will be better<\/a>,\u201d the source added.<\/p>\n Kelsea Ballerini is taking fans inside the dazzling modern farmhouse that she now calls home in Nashville. The singer’s new residence is filled with colorful furniture and bold-print wallpaper that she calls “maximalist,” but it’s also set on a piece of land big enough for her dog, Dibs, to have some room to roam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u2018They Missed Each Other \u2014 That\u2019s the Truth\u2019<\/h3>\n
From DMs to a Second Chance<\/h3>\n
A Low-Key Reunion Abroad<\/h3>\n
PICTURES: See Inside Kelsea Ballerini’s Dazzling Nashville Farmhouse<\/h2>\n