Chase Stokes has high hopes for the future of his relationship with Kelsea Ballerini.

“We have a saying in our house. It’s like, ‘Let’s do the next right thing,’ and that’s really served us well during this time and over the last almost two years,” Stokes, 32, shared on the Thursday, Oct. 3, episode Today. “That’s kind of where we’re at, the next right thing.”

According to Stokes, the upcoming fourth season of is the next thing for him Outer Banks and his Netflix film Uglywhich premiered on September 13th. For Ballerini, 31, she is fully booked and busy with upcoming performances Today show and at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“I think we just both have our own version of (fame) and it’s humbling on both sides and (we) just stick up for each other,” Stokes said Today‘S Hoda Kotb. “It was a year of a lot of wins, so it was just nice to have someone there to help you keep the wave going, so to speak.”

Related: Timeline of Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes’ relationship

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes quickly became a fan-favorite couple after their relationship status was confirmed. The country singer and the Outer Banks star were first linked in January 2023 after they were spotted together at the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles. Thank you very much! You have successfully logged in. Subscribe to newsletter Please enter (…).

Stokes praised the country star with more kind words at the start of the interview, saying, “I honestly think when you find someone that you not only love and adore, but who’s also your best friend, you kind of have the best of.” both.” Worlds. And not only is she a great person, but everything you see – whether it’s on social media or on stage – is exactly who she is when she’s not doing those things.”

While Stokes loves to gush about his girlfriend in public, there are still aspects of their relationship that the duo likes to keep to themselves. “Sometimes it feels like the situation is too shared or there are a lot of details,” he said E! News in March. “But I honestly believe that my personal life is really, really private. … I still feel like I have a really good handle on my privacy.”

The couple took advantage of several opportunities to publicly share their love this year, from their debut at the Met Gala in May to red carpet appearances at the premiere of ” Ugly and at the People’s Choice Country Awards last month.

Ballerini revealed that Stokes received her mother’s seal of approval for her song “Sorry Mom.” In the track, released on August 9, she reassures her mother that her love life is okay after apologizing for past mistakes. “Now I’m fine / And we both sleep well at night / I met a man we both like,” Ballerini sings.

The couple recently celebrated each other’s birthdays – which were less than a week apart – by sharing sweet Instagram tributes to each other. “Congratulations to my accomplice. I love you, I love you, I love you endlessly ❤️,” Stokes wrote on September 16 alongside snaps of the two.

Four days later, Ballerini shared her own Instagram photo slideshow for Stokes, writing, “It’s my favorite person’s birthday and there’s no one on the planet easier to celebrate.” I adore you with all my heart @hichasestokes 🤍. “