Bachelor in Paradise couple Katie Morton and Chris Bukowski have clarified their current relationship status following ABC's Tuesday night reunion show broadcast which showed Katie in tears, Chris appearing somewhat cold, and the couple's engagement seemingly on shaky ground.
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Katie and Chris' segment on Bachelor in Paradise's sixth-season reunion show was brutal and hard to watch.
Katie cried about the fact she had been giving her relationship every last ounce of her effort while Chris allegedly failed to communicate his feelings and left her feeling insecure and vulnerable.
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However, according to the couple, they are still together and have no intention of breaking up.
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"As you've seen..it's been the furthest from easy. From the decision to take the leap onto the beach, navigating what was real and staying true to myself, and my world that spun out afterward," Katie captioned an Instagram photo on Tuesday night showing the couple holding hands on the plane.
Although the pair talked things out in front of an audience and announced they're still engaged on the Bachelor in Paradise reunion, Katie and Chris quietly fought outside the studio afterwards -- and a "blindsided" Chris ended up walking away from Katie, seemingly angry she had aired out their dirty laundry.
"None of it has been a walk in the park," she wrote. "BUT I've learned, a lot. I've learned to be more direct, how to challenge myself and others, I've learned that I'm empathetic to a fault, that love languages are so important to understanding others, that self sabotage can be found in many forms, and BOY have I learned what patience looks like."
Katie said but most of all, she's learned "happiness isn't something to look for" in your partner.
"Your partner can make you laugh but your partner is not responsible for your happiness. Happiness is found within and sharing that with each other is what lights up a room! Communication is the link to everything, which is something we sure did LACK in paradise and shortly after," Katie explained.
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"It took us a few months to really get our bearings (especially with some exceptional and unexpected challenges). I know none of you will truly understand why things are the way they are but I ask that you trust me and support me as I navigate this new world of mine."
"Because I'm happy with me and we are finally happy with us."
Katie insisted she and Chris have "grown so much" in their friendship and romantic relationship since the reunion taped on August 27. (The Bachelor in Paradise finale in Mexico taped in late June).
"Like I said to both of our parents and I will say to you -- I can't promise you this relationship will be perfect (it won't be/it isn't) and I can't promise we will last forever. Honestly, some relationships don't last after 20 years and some do, that's life," Katie shared.
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"But what I can promise you is that I take this seriously, won't lose myself, I will always try my best, I will always keep it real, and we will have each other's backs. Thank you for following us through this journey of hope, faith, all of the next phases of life and more importantly -- love cheers to an effing INSANE adventure."
Around the same time, Chris took to his own Instagram account to share a message with Bachelor in Paradise fans.
"Love is tough. Love is beautiful. Most importantly love is patient. Sometimes you need a shock to the system to put a fire under your ass. What I felt then I feel even more now," Chris captioned a photo of himself feeding Katie pizza in bed.
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"I love you @katieemo and can't wait to feed you pizza for the rest of our lives. #BachelorInParadise."
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On Wednesday, Katie updated fans that things were pretty much back to normal in her relationship after doing some post-show press. She wrote a message alongside a cute photo of Chris and herself arm-in-arm laughing together.
"Today was a good day. Thank you to those of you who were kind enough to have us on your shows! Now let's go to dinner, have a glass of wine, and maybe hit the spa. What do you say Bukowski?" Katie wrote.
Katie and Chris, a six-time participant in The Bachelor franchise, arguably had one of the most beautiful and emotional marriage proposals of all time on the show.
Katie seemed to change Chris' life after years of him searching for a life partner, and Katie openly wept as Chris presented her with an engagement ring.
But once the pair shared an update with fans on their engagement during the reunion portion of Bachelor in Paradise's finale, Katie admitted she was distraught, "exhausted" and overwhelmed. She also wasn't wearing her engagement ring.
"I love him so much but I put in so much that my tank empties, and if I'm not getting it filled, I break down," Katie explained to Harrison.
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"The only way I know Chris loves me is the way he tells everyone else, not the way he shows me. I love him, but I can't speak as to how he makes me feel. And the things he said and the things he did seemed so different... I fell in love with potential that might never come to fruition."
Katie cried onstage and admitted she complained all the time in her relationship but was really just "asking for the bare minimum" from Chris. Katie was in a dark place and said she needed Chris to show her that he loved her through his actions and not just his words.
When Chris joined her onstage, he admitted Katie was giving a lot and is "an extremely selfless person."
Chris acknowledged he doesn't show emotion often and it's usually Katie supporting him in their relationship. He therefore said he wanted to give her all that and more back and would try harder.
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Chris told Katie she's amazing and beautiful, and he explained his walls were formed from failed relationships in the past but Katie made him feel like "a million dollars."
"I love you. I do. And I think there are so many better days ahead of us, and I want to see those days. I really do," Chris promised. "I want to be in [this relationship]. I absolutely do."
Katie therefore put her engagement ring back on and the couple kissed onstage.
But after filming their segment, the couple left the studio and Chris admitted to Katie he felt "shocked" and "blindsided" by the statements she had made to the world. Katie pointed out she had discussed all of this with Chris before yet he "never changes."
Katie told Chris that she looked desperate on Bachelor in Paradise, but he clearly didn't want to talk. If anything, Chris shut down and retreated even more. He was then shown walking away from Katie and the cameras.
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