Bachelor in Paradise’s Riley Christian Breaks Silence on Maurissa Gunn Split: ‘This Has Not at All Been an Easy Time’

usmagazine.com:

His words. Bachelor in Paradise’s Riley Christian is breaking his silence after his split from Maurissa Gunn, and getting candid about adjusting to the major life change.“It takes a while for me to heal, but I thank you all for your patience.

This has not at all been an easy time. This has been one of the most difficult times of my life, but as with everything I always do my best to move forward with hopeful and positive spirits,” Christian, 32, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, February 17. “But you see, I was always taught by my pops that ‘we bend but don’t break.’ But some very good people showed me otherwise.”In his lengthy note, the reality star issued a thank you to a friend for showing up when he needed the support, writing, “To @dijahpickle, who stayed up into the early hours of the morning listening to me wail then calling me a few hours later to make sure I was awake pursuing the dreams we talked about since 1L year, thank you.

It meant more than you know.”Christian, who got engaged to Gunn, 25, after they appeared on season 7 of Bachelor in Paradise, also offered a sweet shout-out to his mother.“To my mama, who I’ve spent more time with in the past month than I have in the past 5 years combined; the person who taught me that it’s ok to break because the good people in my life would carefully and gently help me put my broken pieces back together,” he continued. “And you did just that, mama.

You are the toughest and most amazing woman I know. I don’t have the words to properly thank you for what you’ve done for me, but just know that I love you with everything that I have and I promise I’ll come home more often.”The ABC personality went on to note how grateful he was for his late father’s influence before issuing