The Bachelor Nation is still reeling from the news that it’s over between Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth.
They were together for so long!
They gave fans hope that love is real!
Now, after three years together, they’ve announced that they have broken up.
Here is why his breakup might be the hardest ever for fans of the Bachelor franchise.
It’s over!
This week, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth broke off their engagement and their relationship.
They had been together for three years
Most couples on The Bachelor break up within a year — and plenty part ways after just a few months. Three years is like a lifetime for the Bachelor Fam.
Kaitlyn and Shawn even released a breakup statement
“This difficult decision comes after thoughtful, respectful consideration,” the couple issued in a statement to People. “Even though we are parting as a couple, we’re very much committed to remaining friends.”
These things are always sad — and awkward
“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,” they said.
Breakups are personal, but breakup announcements are not
“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,” they concluded. “But we ask that you respect our decision and our privacy at this time.”
A lot of fans were really rooting for them
It’s about more than how long they’d lasted. Some folks were rooting for them from the start
Shawn had heart eyes for Kaitlyn from the beginning
Remember, he signed up for the 11th season of The Bachelorette just to meet Kaitlyn — not to meet Britt Nilsson
Fans loved the couple on social media
From their goofy Snapchat antics — and alter egos, fans could tell that both Shawn and Kaitlyn had a lot of personality
They’d also roast each other
Forgetting each other’s ages isn’t that big of a deal, especially when you met under such unusual circumstances, but it was cute to watch them poke fun at each other
They were also unique as a couple
They always broke rules — like meeting up off-camera. And who can forget when, whoops, they spoiled the season’s ending on Snapchat.
Of course, Kaitlyn was very conscious of that
Remember when she confessed that she felt unpopular: “Maybe I screwed up a few times and that’s why they don’t like me…because I did”
Obviously, that’s not how people feel
Chris Harrison assured her that she’s a beloved part of the Bachelor Fam
This split shows that any relationship can fail
Recently, the two were showing signs that they were moving apart. They went from talking about how they were a success to not liking each other’s social media posts. Shawn even attended a wedding alone.
So what’s next?
Kaitlyn and Shawn are both beloved, but people are so accustomed to seeing them as a couple. It will be hard for them to move on — and hard for the Bachelor Nation to accept seeing them with other people.