The Bachelorette bachelor Shawn Booth is opening up following his difficult split from Kaitlyn Bristowe, his former fiancee of three years.
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Shawn and Kaitlyn who got engaged at the conclusion of The Bachelorette's eleventh season in 2015, announced on November 2 they had called off their engagement.
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"I just want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of my relationship with Kaitlyn over the years," Shawn, 31, wrote Monday on Instagram.
"You've made me feel incredibly special, supported, and very loved. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. It truly means a lot. And thank you to everyone who has sent their love & support during this painful time. I love you guys."
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While there were a few signs of trouble in paradise, the couple appeared very much in love and so their split came as a surprise to many fans.
"She's devastated," a source told People of Kaitlyn last week. "There is a lot of hurt. Kaitlyn tried to make it work. She never thought this would end... This was the last thing Kaitlyn wanted."
Kaitlyn, 33, and Shawn revealed in a joint media statement they had decided to part ways "after thoughtful, respectful consideration" but planned to be "very much committed to remaining friends."
"We have both evolved as people, which is taking us in different directions, but with the hope that we will continue to support each other in new ways," the former couple said in their statement obtained by Us Weekly.
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"Due to the nature of how we met, our relationship has always been very public, and we have enjoyed sharing it with all of you, but we ask that you respect our decision and our privacy at this time."
Kaitlyn and Shawn reportedly mutually broke up several weeks before making their official announcement.
A source told Us that Shawn "had flirty eyes and was definitely talking to a bunch of chicks" during a fitness retreat in Arizona in October. The source added, "He definitely didn't seem like he was engaged."
Kaitlyn and Shawn had been living together in Nashville, TN, for quite some time, but their marriage plans remained stagnant.
Rumors sparked The Bachelorette couple had split this past summer after fans noticed Kaitlyn wasn't wearing her engagement ring and had been staying with her family in Canada for several weeks.
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However, Kaitlyn subsequently denied the rumors on her podcast by insisting the pair were still an item and doing just fine.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski