Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell split: What went wrong? (except)

As the nation waits for The Bachelor Rachel Kirkconnell To break her silence over her separation from her James diedsource gives Us Weekly An exclusive look into their relationship.

“The split may seem sudden, but this has been brewing for a while. It's been a long time coming,” the source says. “Matt couldn't commit to it.”

James, 33, and Kirkconnell, 28, met on Season 25 of Bachelor's degree, Choose yet After the proposal instead of engagement. While they are I broke up briefly While the show was airing, they were back together by the spring of 2021. James announced on Thursday, January 16, that they had called it quits.

According to the source, the duo suffers from trust issues. “It was hard for Rachel to trust him,” the source says. we.

However, “Rachel really wanted to get married and settle down and they weren't on the same page,” the source continues. “She felt like she was waiting for him, and he would never give her what she wanted.”

While they are “both very upset” by the breakup, according to the source, Kirkconnell is “ready to move on” and knows “it's for the best.”

During their four-year relationship, James and Kirkconnell were often asked about plans to take the next step. Just a few weeks before the split, Kirkconnell was interacting with fans on Instagram who were asking about the proposal, joking that she would pop the question to James “next Thursday.” James said last June we That he intended to marry Kirkconnell.

“We're doing a great job. I feel like when you feel pressure, that's when you don't want to do something.” we at that time. “So I never felt pressured (to get engaged) because it's something I've always wanted to do. It's something we'll do at some point. It's why we're together and what we're working toward. I'm excited about our future.”

Over the years, the pair have also been very active on social media, with James posting videos from their recent trip to London on Wednesday, January 15. As a result, his breakup statement came as a shock to many fans. (we He noted that James often posts his travel content late, so it's possible the couple is no longer abroad together, but they haven't confirmed their trip date.)

“Father, give Rachel and me the strength to mend our broken hearts,” James wrote on Thursday. “Give us peace over this decision to end our relationship that is beyond earthly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love for our comfort. And remind us that our joy comes from You, Lord 💔.”

While some fans were questioning the religious tone of the post, James has been open about his faith in the past, even beginning his Bachelor journey with prayer. Kirkconnell was tagged in the statement — which was written alongside a photo from a season of the ABC show — but did not share the post. She later “liked” a comment on her own page that implied James or his split The announcement surprised her. we She realizes that she was surprised by the post and not by the actual breakup itself.

“The more I think about it, I think he totally blindsided her with this,” the caption read. “Give her some grace and let her respond in her own time.”

Us Weekly I have reached out to James and Kirkconnell for comment.