In a post on Instagram on Dec. 28, Ashanti offered a glimpse into the stunning surprise Nelly (whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.) planned for her on their second wedding anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 27. The couple of Grammy Award-winning artists first started dating in 2003, dated for a decade before splitting in 2013, and ultimately rekindling their romance in September 2023.<\/p>\n
A clip, which appears to be recorded by Nelly, sees the interior of the couple’s home completely filled with red and pink flowers, with bouquets of roses lining a walkway strewn with rose petals and an array of tall candles.<\/p>\n
One bouquet of red roses bore a black ribbon across the top that read “Happy \u2661 Anniversary” in gold lettering, and beside it, a heart-shaped sign (also made of bright red roses) read “Mrs. Haynes.” Ashanti walked through the display holding baby pink bouquet of roses, a hand covering her beaming smile at times as she took in the breathtaking sight.<\/p>\n
“Living in the moment all day yesterday ( and night \ud83d\ude08\ud83e\udd23) 12\/27\/25 I love you babe!!! @nelly \u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc70\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83e\udd35\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc8d Thank you @bloomingboxshop \ud83c\udf37\ud83c\udf3a\ud83c\udf38\ud83c\udf39,” Ashanti wrote in the video’s caption.<\/p>\n
Nelly and Ashanti \u2014 who now share son Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, 1 \u2014 first met in 2003 at a Grammy Awards press conference, though during VH1\u2019s\u00a0Behind the Music\u00a0special, she said “it took him a long time to get my number.” Two years later, Ashanti told PEOPLE that she and Nelly “went out,” though they weren’t “boyfriend and girlfriend” at the time.<\/p>\n
Though they made multiple public appearances together, Nelly and Ashanti kept their connection under wraps for years. In 2008, Ashanti seemed to speak on her relationship with Nelly (which was rumored to be nearly five years at that point).<\/p>\n
\u201cMe and Nelly, we\u2019re good friends. We kick it \u2013 hang out a lot. The industry is very hard, so it\u2019s good to have fun and lighten it up,” she said. When asked about her and Nelly possibly getting married, she replied: \u201cOh no. Noooo! No engagement … but definitely in the future. Ha! Ha!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Paras](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6464305d18d196eebbf09718d2d44be9.jpeg\"\/)
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Paras Griffin\/Getty<\/p>\n
Ashanti and Nelly.<\/p>\n
Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite breakup rumors in 2013, the pair appeared to be on good terms in the years that followed.<\/p>\n The duo surprised fans later in 2021 when they reunited on the\u00a0Verzuz\u00a0stage to perform with\u00a0Ja Rule<\/a>\u00a0and Fat Joe, and two years later they appeared to have rekindled their romance when they were seen holding hands and attending red carpet events together. The couple confirmed their relationship in September 2023 and tied the knot months later on Dec. 27.<\/p>\n