Paradise lost! Bachelor/Bachelorette stars Michelle Money and Cody Sattler — who met and fell in love in the franchise spin-off Bachelor in Paradise earlier this year — have split after six months of dating, they announced via social media on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Sattler, a contestant on Andi Dorfman’s season of The Bachelorette, took to Instagram to share a photo of himself with single mom Money, along with a heartfelt caption about how much he loved their time together.
“First off I just want to say that I have experienced some of the best days of my life these past 6 months!” he wrote. “I was blessed to have met and date an amazing woman and her daughter [Brielle], who have made me a better person in all areas of my life.”
He continued: “Unfortunately, Michelle and I have decided it was in the best interest for both of us to move on from our relationship. Michelle and Brielle will always hold a special spot in my heart and I wish all the best for them. Michelle is someone I shared a relationship with but also someone I will always respect and consider a lifelong friend.”
The hunky personal trainer went on to express his gratitude for Bachelor in Paradise, and for the chance “to experience such amazing things with a beautiful woman.” He also thanked fans for their support of him and Money, and said he would forever cherish the memories they’d made together.
“I look forward to what the future holds and will continue to always listen and follow my heart!” he concluded.
Money, for her part, posted on Facebook about the split, sharing the same photo that Sattler had shared on his account.
“After 6 months of dating, Cody and I have decided that we are going to move on from our relationship,” the season 15 Bachelor contestant captioned the pic. “I feel very blessed and fortunate to have shared such beautiful memories with such an incredible guy. Bachelor in Paradise was more than I could have imagined. Cody has truly blessed my life and the life of my daughter in more ways than he will ever know. His positive impact on Brielle is something I will forever be grateful for.”
Like Sattler, she thanked fans for their “amazing love and support,” noting that the decision to split had been a very difficult one.
“I am so grateful I followed my heart and that it led me to Cody,” she wrote. “He has made me feel so loved and appreciated. I only wish that it could have ended up the way we had hoped. I wish nothing but happiness and love for Cody! Brielle and I look forward to a lifelong friendship with him and will always love and support him in all he does.”
Money had looked for love on two previous Bachelor shows — first with Brad Womack on his second go-round as the Bachelor in 2011, and then on season two of Bachelor Pad. She was close to giving up on reality TV romance when she met Sattler.
“For me, it was either three strikes and you’re out, or third time’s a charm,” she told Us Weekly after the September finale of Bachelor in Paradise. “I’ve had some amazing experiences and met incredible people, but I’ve never met anyone as amazing as Cody. I never thought someone like him existed. It’s been such a beautiful surprise.”
Sattler was equally smitten. He even told Us he wanted to marry Money, “sooner rather than later,” if possible. “I can’t wait to call this woman my wife,” he gushed at the time. “I want to get married, and I can’t think of a better person to spend my life with than Michelle.”
The lovebirds even hinted that they’d be willing to get married on TV, a la fellow Bachelor/Bachelorette stars Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici, and Ashley Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum. “Everyone deserves to be this happy and this in love,” Sattler raved to Us. “It’s just a crazy good feeling.”
