Rachael Kirkconnell, a former contestant from "The Bachelor," recently opened up about her split from Matt James. In an emotional interview on the podcast "Call Her Daddy," she revealed that despite their plans for a serious future, including discussions about marriage and children, the relationship ended unexpectedly. The couple had been contemplating significant life milestones, yet their breakup came as a surprise to both fans and Kirkconnell herself. She expressed deep disappointment over the loss of shared dreams, particularly regarding starting a family together. This revelation sheds light on the complexities of relationships in the public eye and the personal struggles that often remain hidden.

Kirkconnell and James met during Season 25 of "The Bachelor" and quickly became a popular couple. Their romance continued after the show, even surviving a brief post-finale breakup. However, things took an unexpected turn when James publicly announced their separation via Instagram. Kirkconnell was caught off guard by this announcement, especially since it came just hours after he posted pictures of them together in London. The suddenness of the news left many fans questioning what led to the split. While infidelity was ruled out as a factor, Kirkconnell admitted that she was blindsided by the timing and manner of the announcement.

The graphic designer shared that conversations about marriage and children were frequent topics between them. James had even suggested looking at engagement rings a few months before the breakup. These discussions gave Kirkconnell hope for a long-term commitment. She mentioned that they talked about wedding details like food and venue preferences, which made the eventual breakup even more difficult to process. Despite these promises, actions did not always align with words, leading to confusion and uncertainty.

One aspect of their relationship that puzzled Kirkconnell was the decision not to live together. Although James expressed a desire to wait until marriage due to his religious beliefs, the couple frequently traveled and stayed in the same hotels, creating a situation that felt contradictory. Half of James's belongings remained at Kirkconnell's place in Georgia, further complicating matters. She explained that she tried to justify these inconsistencies because she believed in their future plans.

Reflecting on the end of their relationship, Kirkconnell emphasized that while the words were there, the actions were lacking. She acknowledged the difficulty in reconciling the disparity between what was said and what actually happened. The former couple's journey from falling in love on national television to facing a very public breakup highlights the challenges of maintaining privacy in high-profile relationships. Despite the heartbreak, Kirkconnell remains focused on moving forward and finding clarity in her next steps.