Chicago Fire’s Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd’s Relationship Timeline: Relive the Characters’ Ups and Downs

Credit: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

Chicago Fire’s Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd’s Relationship Timeline: Relive the Characters' Ups and Downs

You got this, Stella Kidd! Chicago Fire has been filled with red-hot romances throughout its run, but nothing compares to Kelly Severide’s relationship with Stella Kidd. When fans first met Kelly (played by Taylor Kinney), he was a rough and tough firefighter who was known for being a ladies’ man. At the time, he was brooding and wild while his eventual best friend Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) was the softie who viewers were rooting to find love. Over the years, One Chicago diehards became accustomed to Kelly’s whirlwind romances — including the time he got married in Las Vegas after losing his roomie and BFF Leslie Shay (Lauren German) in season 3. However, the arrival of Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo) in season 4 shook things up. The new character, who made her debut in 2016, left fans with a lot of questions and even more hope that Squad 3’s leader could find a forever kind of love. Unfortunately, it took time before Kelly and Stella’s love lives finally lined up. They had to overcome jealous exes, overbearing parents and work complications before eventually crossing the “just friends” line. Through all the ups and downs, Kelly always seemed sure that Stella was The One. During season 8, episode 4, the lieutenant put Stella at ease following a scary call involving an infectious disease. “Hey, I'm not worried,” he told her in the November 2019 episode. “It's not how I'm going to go.” When asked how was going to go, he simply told Stella, “[As] an old man in bed with our kids and grandkids and you surrounding me.” [jwplayer 0bURCXa0-zhNYySv2] Throughout their relationship, Kelly has almost lost Stella on multiple occasions, due in part to his stubbornness and the fact that he thinks he knows what’s best for her. That was the case in season 9 when she chose to ice Stella out so she could focus on her lieutenant’s exam. “I’ve been MIA because I thought that was best for you. Chief Conway told me the white shirts said the only reason you’re moving up the ladder is because you’re with me. I didn’t tell you because I figured it would mess with your head. You deserve better,” he told his girlfriend at the time. Stella fired back questioning whether he thought she could actually handle being a boss. “Of course, I know I don’t need your help with some test. I needed you to do what you do best: To tell me, ‘You got this, Stella Kidd,’” she responded. “And to pick me up when I’m feeling low, and instead, you shut down on me. You shut down on me like the bad old days.” Her fiery reaction led Kelly to give one of his most memorable speeches on the series. “This attitude of yours is exactly why I know you got this, Stella Kidd, and it’s why I know how badly I screwed up, and it’s why I’m never gonna let you go away from me again,” he said to which Stella replied, “You are not the decider. And pretty soon, we’re gonna be in the same rank, so listen up. I am the one who’s never going to let you get away again.” One season later, the duo again hit a rough patch, but showrunner Derek Haas teased in February 2022 that a wedding was still in the plans for the lovebirds. “We are on scope for a wedding episode this season. I would write it down — maybe not in ink, but as close to ink as you get,” he told Variety, referring to the newly-engaged Kelly and Stella. (The twosome tied the knot during the season 10 finale later that year.) Chicago Fire airs on NBC Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET. Scroll down to relive all of Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide’s relationship highs and lows:

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Stella Joins Firehouse 51

Four seasons into Chicago Fire, Stella joins Firehouse 51 as the newest member of Truck 81 during season 4, episode 15. It is clear from the moment she sees Kelly in “Bad For the Soul” that they have a past, but they keep it to themselves.

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Their History Revealed

The duo first met at academy training years prior to her coming to Firehouse 51. Their origin story was revealed during season 4, episode 18, “On the Warpath,” after attending Randal “Mouch” McHolland’s (Christian Stolte) wedding.

"So, late one night, I'm coming back from a tactical training course at the academy. The moon was bright as hell that night, I remember I unlock my door and I hear this sound coming from the roof,” Stella recalled during the April 2016 episode. “So I look up, then suddenly, there's Severide rappelling down from my skylight singing [Frank] Sinatra's’ This Love Of Mine’ with a rose in his mouth. He'd been mooing over me for weeks.” What Kelly didn’t know was that Stella was married when he made his grand romantic gesture.

Luckily, no one pressed charges for his breaking and entering. “I talked Grant out of calling the cops. Kelly went home and the next day he comes to me and he says, ‘Thanks, I owe you a big favor,’” Stella adds, to which Kelly says, “Still do, I guess.”

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First Kiss

The sexual chemistry between Kelly and Stella hits an all-time high during season 4, episode 21, which aired in May 2016. After Stella convinces Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) to invest in a fancy ice maker for Molly’s bar, she finds herself in a mess as the machine starts to malfunction. Luckily, Kelly is there and comes in to save the day … and they kiss for the first time.

The pair’s passionate kiss moment in the backroom is brief but noteworthy for Stellaride fans. Two episodes later, during the season 4 finale, the duo takes their relationship to the next level, having sex at Stella’s apartment in an attempt to blow off steam following a funeral for a fellow firefighter. What they don’t know is that Stella’s ex-husband is lurking in her apartment.

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Stella’s Ex Causes Problems

Season 5 kicked off with a haunting episode as Stella’s ex-husband, Grant (Guy Burnet), starts stalking her as her relationship with Kelly starts heating up. Things hit a breaking point when Grant attacks Stella behind Molly’s before Kelly steps in and stabs him while trying to protect her.

The story line picks up during season 5, episode 2 after Grant safely makes it out of surgery. Although Stella convinces Grant to voluntarily commit himself into a rehab program, she chooses not to press charges for attempted murder. The choice causes tension between Stella and Kelly and their romantic relationship ends before really getting started.

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Roomies

Stella crashes with Kelly at his place at the beginning of season 6. While living there, Stella gets transferred out of Firehouse 51 when Kelly’s name flame — and Brett’s hometown friend — Hope (Eloise Mumford) secretly submits her for a different position.

Despite hooking up with other people during the first half of season 6, Stella and Kelly start to realize they both have feelings for each other.

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Officially Dating

The roommates officially start dating during season 6, episode 15’s “The Chance to Forgive.”

"Kelly, look I know that communication is not your first language, but what's going on with you lately?" Stella asks him while at Molly’s. "You've been dodging me and just acting off ever since Otis got hurt. Can you just, for once, just tell me what you're feeling?" Kelly pauses for a minute and then leans in to kiss her, marking the beginning of their official romance.

Their relationship, however, is instantly put to the test when Stella meets Kelly’s mom later that season and she isn’t exactly welcoming. Later on in season 6, Stella chooses to move out and starts living in Herrmann’s attic apartment in order to help move their relationship forward. The new living arrangement comes around the same time that Kelly’s ex, Renee (Sarah Shahi) comes back to town and monopolizes his time with a case.

By episode 19, “Where I Want to Be,” the couple are back on solid ground despite living apart. "Wherever you are, is where I want to be," Kelly tells Stella after going to her new place.

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Kelly’s Mourns the Loss of Benny

After Kelly’s dad, Benny (Treat Williams), dies during season 7, episode 7, the firefighter begins to unravel. Throughout the “What Will Define You” episode, Kelly cuts himself off from Stella and the rest of his loved ones while trying to deal with his dad being gone.

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Splitsville

As Kelly is mourning his dad’s death, Stella’s childhood friend Tyler (Tye White) comes to town and causes an even bigger rift between the couple. During one scene, Tyler confesses his love for Stella, who is surprised by the revelation and even more mad that Kelly was right.

At the end of season 7, episode 8, “The Solution to Everything,” Stella confronts Kelly about their status, calling him out for pushing her away recently. She then breaks up with him, saying, “I love you, but I can’t be with you anymore.”

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Rekindled Romance

The pair continue to work together throughout season 7, but it’s clear that their relationship needs work before they can reunite romantically. In season 7, episode 22, “I’m Not Leaving You,” Stella goes to check on Kelly at his dad’s cabin and is surprised to find a changed man.

“You deserve a better man than me. So, I decided … I decided, I’m going to be the man you deserve,” he says after opening the door. The two shared a kiss before Stella joins him inside the forest getaway.

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The Speech

After a season of bliss for the firefighters — who started living together in season 8 alongside Matt Casey — they hit a little bump in the road toward the beginning of season 9. After Kelly learns that some men in the CFD think Stella’s rise in the ranks is because of their relationship, he distances himself from her so she can focus.

Kelly’s plan, however, backfires when Stella thinks that he is no longer interested in her or doesn’t believe she has what it takes to become a lieutenant. He then has to reassure her during season 9, episode 6, “Blow This Up,” that he’ll never leave her despite how his recent actions made it seem like the opposite.

“This attitude of yours is exactly why I know you got this, Stella Kidd, and it’s why I know how badly I screwed up, and it’s why I’m never gonna let you go away from me again,” Kelly tells Stella after she yells at him for being so MIA.

Stella responds, “You are not the decider. And pretty soon, we’re gonna be in the same rank, so listen up. I am the one who’s never going to let you get away again.”

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Firey Proposal

In typical Stellaride fashion, the couple gets engaged while standing in a burning building. After Stella comes back to save Kelly during a house fire in season 9’s “A White-Knuckle Panic,” Kelly drops down on one knee and proposes.

“I don’t want you to ever leave me. Stella Kidd, will you marry me?” he asks. Stella says, “Hell yeah.”

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Long-Distance Drama

Stella is noticeably absent throughout much of season 10 as she is traveling to different states to try and get her Girls on Fire program up and running in other firehouses. During the “Winterfest” episode it becomes clear that Kelly hasn’t heard much from his fiancée, which makes him start to wonder what’s going on with them as a couple.

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Stella Gets Her Groove Back

Tensions are high when Stella finally returns to Chicago in season 10, episode 10. After admitting that she messed up by going radio silent on Kelly while she was out of town, she reveals she was anxious about the next phase of her career and panicked. When asked if she was having any second thoughts about being with Kelly, however, Stella assured him she was still all in. “I love you with everything I got. That is never gonna change,” she tells him while sitting in their apartment.

The episode ends in a cliffhanger after Kelly asks whether she wants to get married. Season 10, episode 11 picks up the morning after their conversation, with Stella saying, “I meant what I said last night. I want to marry you. Yes, yes, a million times.”

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He Put a Ring on It

Better than ever! During season 10, episode 12’s “Show of Force,” Kelly and Stella cemented their relationship status after teaming up to keep Lieutenant Jason Pelham (Brett Dalton) at Firehouse 51. Although it means that Stella will have to continue to ride on Truck 81 as a member of the team and not the leader, she makes Kelly proud when she fights for what’s right with Jason.

At the end of the January 2022 episode, Kelly proposes once again — this time with a ring — and Stella accepts. “I was blown away by what you did for Pelham. It was brave and beautiful and strong,” he tells Stella, adding, “I am actually the luckiest man in Chicago.” The two seal it with a kiss outside the firefighter gala.

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Pre-Wedding Jitters?

Ahead of their nuptials, Kelly and Stella seemed at odds during season 10, episode 21’s “Last Chance” episode, which aired in May 2022. The couple got into a tiff after Kelly claimed that Stella gets everything she wants — and he frequently gives into her demands.

Things only got more intense after Stella tried to bring up paying for the reception alcohol and the food tasting they had set. Kelly blew off the tasting, which made Stella confide in Herrmann that she wasn’t sure whether the wedding would happen.

When Kelly ends up in the hospital after getting beat up by men associated with a drug ring, the pair make amends. Kelly later suggests that they move the wedding to ease the stress it has brought to their relationship.

“The only way to learn how to run into a real fire is by doing it,” he tells his fiancée while at Chicago Med. “So, let’s just do it. Let’s not wait another four months. Let’s do it next week.”

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They Do!

The twosome faced an uphill battle on their wedding day after Kelly was attacked at knifepoint by a drug dealer’s crony. The incident shook Kelly but didn’t stop him from making it to the venue with Stella right behind him. The pair were thrown another curveball when the venue said they were double booked, resulting in the ceremony being moved to a boat nearby.

With the help of their firehouse family — including the return of Matt Casey as Kelly’s best man — the lovebirds exchanged vows during the season 10 finale, “The Magnificent City of Chicago,” which aired in May 2022. “Kelly, the simple truth is that you’re magic to me. When I’m at my lowest, you lift me up and you never leave my side. You are the goodest,” Stella said during her vows. “Yes, we’re taking a huge, crazy leap into the unknown but we’re doing it together. And when I need to hear it, you’ll tell me, ‘You got this, Stella Kidd.’ And I’ll know everything will be OK because it always is when I’m with you. I love you with everything I got, Kelly Severide, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Kelly wrote equally as touching words for his bride. “Stella, I decided a long time ago that if I was going to be with you, I needed to be worthy of you — which seemed impossible. How do I become worthy of someone brave enough to show who they are inside and out? What makes me this better person I keep hearing about is you keeping me from locking things up,” he explained. “Instead, you made sure you really knew me. And by some miracle, you still love me. Stella, I might never be worthy of you, but I promise to spend the rest of my life trying. I love you.”

Credit: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC

Happily Ever After?

During the season 10 finale, titled “The Magnificent City of Chicago,” the duo officially became husband and wife. However, a happily ever after may not be in their future. The May 2022 episode’s cliffhanger revealed that someone — most likely a hitman for the drug gang that Kelly is working to help take down — in a big truck pulled up to Kelly and Stella’s cabin in the woods as they kicked off their honeymoon. The final scene showed the newlyweds kissing as they got into the house, leaving it unlocked to the danger lurking just outside.

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Honeymoon From Hell

Season 11 kicked off in September 2022 with Kelly and Stella on their honeymoon in the woods. While the two are getting steamy on the floor of their cabin during the “Hold on Tight” episode, they hear a noise outside that causes them both to pause. Kelly jumps up to see two men with guns outside and tells Stella to get dressed and jump out the back.

The twosome briefly part ways while running away from the bad guys — both of which are linked to the drug gang that Kelly is going to testify against. When Stella sees one of the gunmen heading straight for her husband, she lures him toward her and then falls over a tree branch. Just before the man can fire his gun at Stella, Kelly comes from the shed and stabs him in the back, saving her life. The police swarm the area moments later, revealing that they had been tracking the hitmen all along.

While the scary incident is behind them, Kelly can’t shake that his wife almost died because he wanted to testify against a group of bad men. Ultimately, Kelly makes sure that the dirty police officer responsible for the whole thing is brought to justice and Stella tells him that she will always back his play, putting his mind at ease.

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Stella's Bombing Scare

Season 11’s midseason finale, which aired in December 2022, left Stella again in danger. She and Carver (Jake Lockett) rushed into a burning building to save an injured police officer, who wound up with part of a grenade in his leg. After safely extracting the item, there is an explosion that appeared to take Stella down with it.

When the season returned for episode 10, in January 2023, Kelly storms into the building to make sure his wife is OK. Stella is rushed to the hospital and despite being injured in the blast she made a full recovery — after a few weeks off the job. The PTSD, however, continues to plague Stella, who leans on her husband as she navigates her emotional recovery.

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Butting Heads on the Job

The couple appeared to be going strong until season 11, episode 12, which aired in January 2023. During the episode, Kelly goes against Stella’s advice on a call involving a possible bomb surrounding a bunker door.

While no one gets hurt, Stella is upset that her spouse didn’t listen to her and risked his life. She later calls him a “robot” for not thinking about how scared she is about explosions following her hospitalization earlier that year.

The tension between the pair spills over into their teams, who start picking fights at Firehouse 51. Kelly eventually admits to Stella that he has to keep his personal feelings out of their day-to-day otherwise he would fall apart with fear over losing her, which she accepts as an apology and they move forward as a team.