For three long years, they seemed to be one of those rare Bachelor Fam couples who beat the odds.
Just last December, there was even a rumor that Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth were married.
Unfortunately, not all relationships last. Kaitlyn and Shawn have broken up.
In 2015, Kaitlyn and Shawn got engaged on the Season 19 finale of The Bachelorette.
Now, at the tail end of 2018, the couple has issued a statement to People.
“After three incredible years,” the statement begins. “We have decided to go our separate ways.”
This is a joint statement that the couple has issued together.
“This difficult decision comes after thoughtful, respectful consideration,” the statement continues.
“Even though we are parting as a couple,” they explains. “We’re very much committed to remaining friends.”
That is wonderful to hear … though it is admittedly what most couple’s say.
“And,” their statement reads. “We will continue to support each other.”
As with a relationship, a breakup doesn’t always work out the way that you hope.
But that’s a great sentiment anyway.
“Due to the nature of how we met,” they admit. “Our relationship has always been very public.”
“And,” they say. “We have enjoyed sharing it with all of you.”
They acknowledge that “but we ask that you respect our decision.”
Please don’t send hate to celebrities for their relationships, their breakups, or anything else — unless it truly warrants your fury.
They hope that fans will respect their judgment “and our privacy at this time.”
Breakup rumors followed these two over the summer.
But just a few months ago, Kaitlyn was shooting down those claims.
“So here’s the truth,” she said on her Off the Vine podcast back in August.
“I’m in Canada because … I have made a promise to myself and my family,” she explained.
Her promise was “that I will come up every August and enjoy downtime with the people that I love in a country that I love.”
“Family is so important to me,” she affirmed. “Relationships in general are very important to me.”
She made her priorities clear: “I put relationships first.”
“Shawn did not come up with me,” Kaitlyn explained. “Because the guy just bought a gym.”
“He bought a business,” she emphasized. “He has started something huge.”
Kaitlyn raved: “He is the most dedicated person I’ve ever met.”
“He’s going to have to be there for months,” she noted.
“We are both so busy,” she said. “And unfortunately that means we’re spending all of this time apart.”
She spoke more generally about relationship struggles.
“You are both always away, you’re exhausted at the end of the day, sometimes the relationship isn’t being put first,” she said.
“But does that mean you call it quits?” she asked, answering: “No.”
“You love the s–t out of each other and you work through it and yourselves to be better,” she advised.
“And you know,” she concluded. “That times aren’t always going to be smooth sailing.”
The thing about not-so-smooth sailing is that it doesn’t always get better.
Sometimes, the metaphorical ship (relation-ship, if you will) capsizes.
Better luck next time to both Kaitlyn and Shawn!
