Married at First Sight couple Cody Knapek and Danielle DeGroot have decided to end their marriage.
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Danielle made the announcement on her Instagram account on Tuesday, August 22.
"It hasn't been an easy year, but it has been one of a lot of personal growth and of meeting some amazing people, including the one I got to marry. We value and respect marriage, but life is short and we also value happiness," Danielle explained.
"While this was a difficult decision and divorce is not something either of us hoped for, we decided we will be happiest separating. Still got nothin' but love for @codyknapek ! Thank you to everyone who supported us on our journey! We hope you will be respectful and understanding of our decision."
She added, "I went into #MAFS trusting that this was God's or some greater power's plan and I stand by that now. Still a big believer in love and looking forward to the future. #marriedatfirstsight #mafs5 #lovestory #trumanshow #groundhogday."
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Prior to revealing the news on social media, Danielle and Cody issued a statement to People.
"After a year of marriage, and much thought and consideration, we are deeply saddened to announce that we've decided to go our separate ways," the pair told the magazine.
"We remain the closest of friends, and have enjoyed sharing our lives with our Married at First Sight family. We want to thank the experts for their guidance and love throughout all of this. This process has only strengthened our belief that true love does exist!"
Cody and Danielle, both residents of the Chicago area, wed in August 2016 for Season 5 of Married at First Sight, which just wrapped on TV earlier this month with the reunion special.
Although the pair got along well and had immense respect for each other, Danielle never got to the point of wanting to consummate their marriage on the show. Cody grew frustrated and understandably a bit insecure over the matter, while Danielle kept waiting for a physical attraction to ignite.
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Cody and Danielle decided to stay married during the show's finale following the extreme eight-week experiment, but Danielle revealed on the reunion special that she still hadn't fallen for her husband.
"I still just don't feel in love, I think, so it's very hard for me to totally embrace it," the dietitian reportedly said about her lack of intimacy with Cody, a gym owner, even after cameras stopped rolling.
The split may come as a surprise to fans, however, because on August 6, Danielle posted a sweet photo of the newlyweds.
"A year ago today I walked down the aisle & met this awesome guy," she captioned the picture. "And it's been one wild ride ever since! Happy Anniversary @codyknapek. PS- if you write a comment about sex I will probably delete it bc enough."
The other two couples from Season 5 of the series -- Anthony D'Amico and Ashley Petta as well as Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon -- are currently together and growing in love.
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None of the couples stayed together from Married at First Sight's second through fourth editions, but two pairs from Season 1 are still going strong: Courtney Hendrix-Carrion and husband Jason Carrion in addition to Jamie Otis and husband Doug Hehner.
Jamie and Doug just welcomed their first child together, a baby girl named Henley Grace, on August 22.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski