Bachelor Nation alum Carly Waddell is relatively open about her life; however, it turns out that she’s been keeping something private. On Wednesday, October 1, she shared a video on Instagram that revealed she has broken off her engagement to her now-former fiancé Todd Allen Tressler.
“Real talk. This is def a post I have been delaying. But so I can feel a little more free. Here we go,” she wrote in the caption of her post.
“I’m always real with you guys, so I’m going to be real with you now. I’m not wearing a ring,” Waddell said in the video. “I did break off my engagement about a month ago.”
She also revealed, “We are living in a new city.”
“It’s not a decision that I personally made overnight,” she continued. “It was really bad timing because the kids had just started school and sports and all the things. You know what? It is what it is.”
Waddell shares two children — seven-year-old daughter Bella and five-year-old son Charlie — with ex-husband Evan Bass, whom she was married to until 2020. Waddell and Tressler became engaged in 2023.
“I feel very at peace with this decision,” she assured her followers. “My kids are loving life in the new place. Honestly, dating after divorce and dating with kids is super difficult. You have to make tough decisions for yourself and for your family. So, that’s where I’m at.”
Waddell Received Plenty of Support from Friends & Followers
Waddell’s video prompted plenty of comments from people who wanted to share their support.
“Love you and I’m so proud of you for doing what’s best for you and the kids. ❤️❤️,” wrote friend and fellow Bachelor Nation alum Jade Roper Tolbert.
Caroline Lunny left a comment, saying, “So sorry to hear this, but so excited for new chapters and new beginnings! Can’t wait to see what god has in store for you next!”
“[Y]ou’re a good mom and you’re a good human and don’t believe that everybody’s life needs to look a certain way needs to follow a certain order or needs to ‘follow the rules’ … not settling and striving for the best for you and your kids,” wrote Jillian Harris. “You should be proud of that!!!”
Waddell Once Offered Advice for Those Going Through a Split
Waddell may be going through a split, however, she can perhaps take her own advice when it comes to dealing with a breakup. Following her divorce from Bass, Waddell offered some wise words to fans going through the same thing.
“Okay, I’m going to talk about something real for a second. So someone just asked me on my question and answer on my Story what advice I would have for somebody going through what I went through years ago, going through a divorce, being a single mom,” she said in a video that she shared on Instagram in April.
“I think the thing that I would say, um, I just feel like I need to talk about this today, is don’t have expectations on yourself for how fast you need to get through it,” she said. “Like, take it second by second. Take it minute by minute. Take it baby step by baby step. Because you are going to get through it, I promise.”
“You’re going to look at your life and you’re going to be so amazed,” she continued. “And you’re going to want to pat yourself on the back and tell yourself you’re a hero. And I mean seriously, it’s going to be okay. And you’re going to get through it and you’re going to be stronger from it. And if you have kids, your kids are going to look at you and think you are a superhero. Because you are. And I just wanted to say you’re doing great, and I love you.”
In her caption, she added, “Sending all you ladies going through it a little love today 💕”
