In 2014, Solange Knowles and her husband, 51-year-old music video director, Alan Ferguson broke the internet with photos of their surprise wedding in New Orleans. Rumors about possible martial rifts between the couple, who have been romantically involved for a little over a decade, have been swirling since earlier this year and yesterday, Solange took to her Instagram to reveal what's really been going on behind the scenes of her notoriously private marriage.

In a lengthy and somewhat cryptic Instagram post, the 33-year-old singer described the past two years as a newfound "physical and spiritual transition" that has catalyzed her evolution and allowed her to confront some of her worst enemy: "fear". She explained:

"I've lived my best and worst moments in front of the lens and gaze of the world since I was a teenager. I've always tried to live in my truth no matter how ugly or full of love it is. I've also tried to carve out the space to protect my heart, and my life as it unfolds, evolves, and changes."

Solange went on to reveal that although the time that she and Alan have spent together has been invaluable, the couple made a decision to end (or at least press pause) on their relationship for now:

"11 years ago, I met a phenomenal man who changed every existence of my life. Early this year we separated and parted ways, (and tho it ain't nan no body business) I find it necessary to protect the sacredness of my personal truth and to live in it fully just as I have before and will continue to do. It is unfair to not have power of your own story as you shape and mold and rewrite it yourself. A nigga ain't perfect, but I'm leaning into the fear of the unknown and all the glory and power I know exist within god and the universes grace. May all of your transitions no matter how big or small, be kind to you and filled with incredible love and light!"

Two years ago, after releasing A Seat at the Table, Solange described working with her ex as an invaluable experience that she will "cherish" forever and said that initially, although she was scared to work with her husband at the time on the project, she couldn't have seen the magic happening any other way. In an interview with Beyonce, the singer explained:

"The experience was one I will cherish for the rest of my life. I remember telling you years ago that I wanted to work with him, but I was scared because I felt like our relationship, by the grace of God, is the one thing that I can count on to be intact and to be solid. When I go out in the world, I know that when I come home, I'm going to find peace with him. And I didn't want any variable that could interrupt that."

"Through the process of making this record, every time I would come home from the studio, I would be really depleted. And it was Alan who would encourage me and help lift me back up and give me that coach speech to go back into the studio and start a new day."

Featured image by Instagram/Solange