Bachelor in Paradise couple Kevin Wendt and Astrid Loch reconciled in the real world after breaking up on the beach in Mexico, and now they're ready to take their romance to the next level.
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"As bad as the breakup was, it might have actually made our relationship even better," Kevin told People. "I feel a lot less pressure and I'm excited about our future together. Everything seems lighter."
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The couple are exclusively dating and currently enjoying a vacation in Bali. But once they return home, Astrid and Kevin plan to move in together.
"Astrid is definitely falling in love with Toronto," said the Canadian firefighter. "That would be the place where we would live together. And we're not going to just date for fun. I'm 34, she's 28. We're at the no BS stage."
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As fans recall, Kevin blindsided and dumped Astrid on Bachelor in Paradise's fifth season this summer before they were supposed to stay in a Fantasy Suite together.
The breakup came as a shock to Astrid considering Kevin had expressed he was in love with her and the couple had been solid for most of the season.
However, Kevin was dealing with demons from his past, stemming from his failed relationship from The Bachelorette Canada as well as the heartbreak he felt when Ashley Iaconetti chose to end things shortly after their appearance on The Bachelor Winter Games in early 2018.
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Kevin told People that he didn't have doubts about Astrid or their connection, but rather fears about how fast things were moving between them. After all, he regretted ever entering the Fantasy Suite with Ashley on Winter Games.
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"I had insecurities about the process," Kevin explained. "It was less on Astrid and more on my own baggage. I heard the word 'Fantasy Suite' and I thought, next step is you're talking to Neil Lane and you're on a beach deciding whether to propose."
Kevin did get engaged at the end of his stint on The Bachelorette Canada, but things quickly fell apart, and then he had to watch Ashley reconcile with Jared Haibon and accept a marriage proposal from him in June.
"I just got anxiety. I remember my chest feeling so heavy. I freaked out. I just wanted to go home, and the only way to go home was to leave on my own," Kevin recalled of his Paradise meltdown.
"I was really disappointed in myself, but I didn't want to deal with the pressure of the Fantasy Suite. I didn't even know what Astrid's mom looked like! I didn't even know if her sister would like me. And because of my experiences from prior shows, I knew I wasn't going to get engaged again on TV."
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Kevin and Astrid revealed on Bachelor in Paradise's reunion special earlier this month he had reached out to her after leaving the show and asked for a second chance.
Astrid, who was still in love with Kevin, accepted his apology because he seemingly worked through most of his issues through therapy and chats with his family and friends.
Prior to appearing on Bachelor in Paradise 5, Astrid competed for Nick Viall's heart on The Bachelor's 21st season.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski