Glitter and the Goose! Krystal Nielson reflected on the journey that led to her wedding with Chris Randone, which aired during the August 27 episode of Bachelor in Paradise. The two are over-the-moon excited about this next chapter in their lives, but it didn’t come without a few bumps along the way.

“Deciding to have a televised wedding wasn’t an easy decision for us,” the fitness coach admitted in a lengthy Instagram post after the episode. “Fears from the past surfaced where we cracked under pressure and weren’t able to show our best selves. Those times were the darkest and scariest moments we’ve ever had.”

KRYSTAL NIELSON, CHRIS RANDONE, CHRIS HARRISON Wedding Bachelor in Paradise
ABC/John Fleenor

Krystal first appeared on Arie Luyendyk Jr.‘s season of The Bachelor where she stirred up a whole lot of drama — and used what may or may not have been a fake voice. She was deemed ~the villain~ and came under a lot of fire, but viewers were able to see a different side of her on the Paradise beach. Similar with Chris, he competed for Becca Kufrin‘s heart during season 14 of The Bachelorette and came off less than stellar. Once he shaved his infamous baby hairs (thanks, Jordan Kimball!) and found love, Bachelor Nation received a front-row seat to his softer side.

Their journey was tough, but Krystal divulged that they are better now because of it. “We decided that we wouldn’t let fear dictate our future anymore because we have each other and have learned to trust in one another,” her post continued. “We learned that our struggles and failures were actually the best opportunities for us to evolve and grow into better people.” The blonde beauty added, “Your past doesn’t have to define you. It’s just a step on your journey to finding happiness.”

KRYSTAL NIELSON, CHRIS RANDONE Dance at their wedding bachelor in paradise
ABC/John Fleenor

During their ceremony, the couple exchanged personal vows. Krystal confessed during hers that her “heart was open” when she entered Paradise but her “expectations were low.” She discovered that she needed to love herself first and magic things happened once she did. “Thank you [Bachelor in Paradise] for introducing us, supporting us and teaching us that LOVE DOES EXIST when you open your heart and take a chance.”

After thanking fans for all the “support,” she shared a special message with those still looking for their Goose. “Stay true to who you are. You don’t need anyone’s validation to feel worthy, loved or happy … the secret to love is you must first find it within yourself … and then love can flow,” she wrote.

Congrats, you two!