Pregnant Ashanti reflects on why this Mother’s Day was so special

Ashanti felt “so special” on Mother’s Day.

The singer is currently expecting her first baby with fiancé Nelly. She took to social media on May 16 — which was four days after Mother’s Day in the U.S. — to explain how “grateful” she feels to be expanding her family.”

“This Mother’s Day was so special … having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing. Wishing all of the amazing Moms and Moms to be a beautiful Mother’s Day/ Pre-Mother’s Day!!!!! #gratefulyeah yeah I know I’m late … it was so much food I got distracted! P.S. … I only had 1 plate though,” she wrote on Instagram.

Ashanti and Nelly revealed the pregnancy just over a month ago.

In a video posted to Instagram, Ashanti can be seen getting ready for backstage and when asked how long she needs to get ready, she replies, “I’m gonna need about nine months! Baby baby baby baby …” she captioned the post.

But not only did the “Foolish” singer announce the news that she is having her first baby with “Hot in Here” hitmaker Nelly — who already has Chanelle and son Cornell from his previous relationship with Rhonda Mack — she also revealed at the time that the pair are set to tie the knot.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé and loyal fans — who have been so supportive of my career — is an amazing experience,” she told Essence.

The celebrity duo were initially together in the late 2000s but were apart for more than a decade before reuniting in 2023.