Bachelor in Paradise couple Katie Morton and Chris Bukowski have announced they've ended their engagement and split.
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Katie captioned a photo of herself sitting in Chris' lap, while Chris shared a professional photo from his Bachelor in Paradise marriage proposal in Mexico.
The statement read, "One of the many lessons this life has taught us is that it's okay to be stubborn in the pursuit of happiness. To fight for what is real and good, and that often times the hardest thing and the right thing are the same."
"We've reached a point in our story where we agree it's best to go our separate ways. We have chosen to love and respect each other as friends because that's the base of our relationship, and it's what is most natural for us."
The former couple continued, "We are incredibly thankful for the support we've received from our family, friends and everyone who supported us throughout our journey -- from paradise to this moment."
"We are grateful for everything that we've learned in this chapter, and are hopeful for what is to come in life and in love for both of us," they concluded.
Chris put a ring on Katie's finger when the Season 6 finale of Bachelor in Paradise filmed in late June 2019.
Katie and Chris, a six-time participant in The Bachelor franchise, arguably had one of the most beautiful and emotional marriage proposals of all time on the show because Katie seemingly changed his life and opened his heart again.
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Katie and Chris then reunited on August 27 to provide fans with an update on their relationship in a segment that aired during the September finale of Bachelor in Paradise on ABC.
Katie was in tears during the reunion claiming Chris rarely expressed his feelings for her and their communication was severely lacking, and Chris appeared somewhat cold and disconnected.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW"I just put in so much effort every day and I love him so much, but I put in so much that my tank empties and if I'm not getting it filled, I break down," Katie vented at the BIP reunion.
"I fell in love with potential that may never come to fruition, but I'm just praying it does."
Days later, however, Katie confirmed the following to E! News: "We are doing so great now and so I'm happy. That totally was a growing and turning point for our relationship."
But Katie and Chris posted few photos of each other on social media in subsequent months, sparking rumors the couple had broken up.
Katie said in early November 2019 on Ben Higgins' podcast she and Chris were still engaged, but there has been no sign of Chris on her Instagram since mid-September.
For Chris' part, he shared one photo with Katie on his own Instagram account in late October 2019.
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Now that Chris and Katie have called it quits, Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour are the only engaged couple remaining from Bachelor in Paradise 6. Caelynn Miller-Keys and Dean Unglert are also still together and dating, but they're taking things slow.
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Chris initially found fame way back on Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette, but he got rejected when Emily determined her Final 3 bachelors.
Chris later returned for Season 3 of Bachelor Pad and then crashed Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette. But Andi chose not to let Chris join her cast of guys since he had developed a player reputation from his time on Bachelor Pad.
Chris then appeared on Seasons 1 and 2 of Bachelor in Paradise, but he only lasted several weeks on each season.
Chris famously announced his "retirement" from The Bachelor franchise in 2015, but he clearly had a change of heart and decided to do the show again.
As for Katie, she is a medical sales representative from Sherman Oaks, CA, who previously appeared on Season 23 of The Bachelor starring Colton Underwood.
She finished in eighth place on Colton's season.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
