Two months ago, it was revealed that Ashley Iaconetti and Kevin Wendt broke up. Ashley’s famous quest for love continued.
But it has come to a happy end. Remember how hard she was crushing on Jared Haibon on Bachelor in Paradise? Some dreams do come true.
In the video below, they tell the story of how it took years for them to finally, finally get together.
Fans and viewers know very well that Ashley has been crushing on Jared since 2015 at least.
But they’ve had flirtations on and off camera, and this has been building for a long time.
Jared reveals that it was the news that Ashley had gotten with someone — Kevin — that made him realize that he had been an idiot for not committing to her in the past.
"Sometimes I need a kick in the ass," he says. "That was a big kick in the ass."
And here they are.
Speaking to People, Ashley and Jared tell the story of their love. It’s a long and sweet story … with a few bumps.
Ashley says:
"Bachelor Nation hasn’t seen so many of the important details that make up our story."
So they figured out a way to clue in fans to the full scope of their romantic history.
"I thought there was no better way to explain to the people who have followed our love lives for over three years than by filming our own episode of The Story of Us."
You can see that video, below.
Jared says:
"Our close friends have watched our relationship evolve and understand how we’ve gotten to this point."
He knows that the Bachelor Nation, on the other hand, hasn’t seen the whole picture until now.
"But people who haven’t been a part of our day-to-day lives ask us ‘Wait, how did this happen?’ With this show, it gave me an opportunity to elaborate more than just saying ‘I’m an idiot.’"
Ashey had been crushing on Jared since they first met, and Jared — like the rest of the planet — knew it. Staring is not subtle.
But when they actually spent time with each other, things went well.
Jared talks about their first date.
"I remember just being so comfortable with you and how easily we got along … how the conversation just flowed."
That’s a very good contrast to awkward staring.
"It never felt dull … or awkward."
Ashley, however, remembers things a little differently.
"My interpretation of our first date is a little different. I was constantly scared of another girl coming in and catching your eye."
She was nervous.
"I was overthinking every little thing that came out of my mouth."
Jared reveals that he felt that their relationship continued, even when they weren’t together.
"I never felt like it was over between us after Paradise. I’m not gonna lie and say that I was in love with Ashley during BiP. It was a slow build for me."
Though the two got together, made out, and cuddled off-camera, they eventually had to move on because something wasn’t right.
Jared says that he was not, at the time, willing to commit.
"I think sometimes you imagine like you’re in this rainy day constantly and you just accept that as life. I’m like going after this other girl and we’re going on dates, and yet it’s so much easier with you. I knew that if you and I were to ever date … there’s no going back."
Sometimes, people click so well that it scares them. They’re worried about screwing up a good thing.
"Even if I had a two percent doubt about our relationship, then I probably shouldn’t do it because I don’t want to risk losing you as a friend."
In addition to their own Instagram pages, these two lovebirds made a cameo on Dean Unglert’s page.
Dean captioned the cute pic:
"Couldn’t be happier for these two! [purple heart emoji] So don’t mind me while I sit on the floor beneath the canoodling."
That is so sweet.
Check out this video and remember that, sometimes, even love at first sight takes a while to manifest into a fulfilling relationship.