During an Instagram Q&A, a fan asked the 27-year-old what the biggest lesson she learned during her stay in Paradise was. Not surprisingly, it had to do with the former football player, 27.
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It Shouldn’t be so Hard
“You can’t force a relationship/love,” the Arkansas native confessed. “If it’s meant to be, it will happen how it should!”
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Things Happen for a Reason
She continued, “[Colton] and I are both happier than ever and I’m so thankful that we didn’t work out!”
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Photo courtesy of Tia Booth Instagram Story
Just to be Clear …
Tia was sure to add that things are completely cool between the exes. She added, “This is also to all of you asking if he and I are still friends or what I think of him and Cassie.”
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A Rocky Beginning
Tia and Colton’s history goes way back. Before the stud was cast on Becca Kufrin‘s season of The Bachelorette, he and the Southern beauty spent a “weekend” together.
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Photo courtesy of Tia Booth Instagram
Timing Wasn’t Right
Obviously, the dots didn’t connect in time and Colton appeared as a contestant on the famed reality show.
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They Met Again
Don’t get it twisted, Tia went on Paradise solely to pursue Colton. She was ecstatic when he gave her the first date card and they spent the day kissing on a yacht.
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Photo courtesy of Tia Booth Instagram
Things Took a Turn
Tia told him that she had feelings for him but he admitted that he wanted to keep his options open. In hindsight, this is a totally normal thing to want on Paradise but fans were pissed.
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Went for Someone Else
When he couldn’t deliver a direct answer if he wanted to commit, Tia decided to pursue things with Chris Randone. Spoiler: Chris is now engaged to Krystal Nielson, a Paradise contestant who is definitely not Tia.
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Back and Forth
Eventually, Colton and Tia gave it another go and ended up getting a second date during their stay in Mexico.
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Raven Wasn’t For It
During their second date, Tia’s BFF Raven Gates tagged along with her boyfriend, Adam Gottschalk, who she met the previous season in Paradise. Although Tia was over-the-moon excited about her hunky island man, the boutique owner didn’t think his intentions were pure.
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It Wasn’t Meant to Be
Again, the couple fell apart because Colton just wasn’t fully into it. They left Paradise in tears and agreed it was better to go their separate ways. The “Tia and Colton Show” officially came to an end.
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Things Are Looking Up
Of course, Colton was chosen to take the reigns on his own season of The Bachelor.
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Not Again
Tia assured fans she would not be going on his season to win him over. That ship was long gone.
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They Still Support Each Other
Ahead of the premiere of season 23, Tia posted a good luck message to the athlete. “Hey [Colton], remember that time you wore a sleeveless sweatshirt at the beach and then we realized we were 0 percent compatible and solely meant to be supportive friends?… Well here’s my support. Now keep your damn shirt on and go find you a gal,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
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He Got His Girl
Although Colton had a wild ride, he eventually ended up with Cassie Randolph, who he seems absolutely crazy about.
Whether or not they’re getting closer to being engaged, they are definitely physically closer. The Huntington Beach babe made the move to Los Angeles to be closer to her beau.
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Photo courtesy of Tia Booth Instagram
She’s Doing Great
As for Tia, she snagged herself a great guy named Cory Cooper.
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Photo courtesy of Tia Booth Instagram
Staying Strong
She first posted about the Nashville resident back in November 2018 and they seem extremely happy together.
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Things Work Out the Way They Should
Tia and Colton are much better off as friends (clearly). Glad to see them doing so well.
