Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe Opens Up About Split From Shawn Booth For The First Time

Former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe publicly opened up about her split from Shawn Booth for the first time.

The reality star took to her Off the Vine podcast to discuss the hard breakup and put a few rumors to rest.

“It’s been a really hard few months now. I really did think we’d get through it,” she expressed.

“To be honest, I thought we would choose the road where we would end up together. I just never took our commitment, or being engaged, lightly at all. I had the mindset of doing whatever it took to make it work.”

She continued, “And now realizing, maybe to a fault, with all the hard moments in life come life lessons and that’s what I need to take from all of this. Sometimes you need to take a moment and take a step back to think about what you are fighting for and if it make sense for your long-term happiness.”

Despite their split, the 33-year-old wants fans to know the pair were really in love and wanted to spend their lives together.

“I want to reiterate to people, what you saw on social media was real and what we had was real love,” she shared.

“But when it comes to roadblocks, and those fundamental values and getting through things together, I just don’t think we were on the same page — and it’s painful to admit that.”

She continued, “But you need that foundation and you need that partnership if it’s going to last forever.”

It’s also been hard for Kaitlyn to deal with the fact she won’t be living with Shawn’s dog Tucker anymore.

“I think I’ve been grieving this for a while. And knowing that Tucker isn’t in my home anymore. Sorry. Sometimes I feel like he was almost the glue to our relationship,” she said.

“I clearly love that dog so much, but I will still see him.”

She also took the time to thank her fans for supporting her during this tough period.

“I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has respected this decision and for all the kind messages,” she said.

“I know that there are so many bright days ahead and, in a weird way, as much as I was dreading releasing that statement and accepting it was the end, it has let me close the door on that thought of forever and start envisioning my new future ahead, which I am excited about.”

She continued, “I hope with all of this I can choose to look forward and not in the rearview mirror at what could have been and what could have been different. I just hope, through this time, I can help other women who might be going through a hard time, men too, knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

We’re thinking of you, Kaitlyn!