Shannon Beador and John Jenssen have split after three and a half years together, according to a new article from PEOPLE. The Real Housewives of Orange County star is opening up about the final days of her relationship with John and reveals how she “was blindsided by the breakup.” John pulled the plug on his longtime romance with Shannon in November, just a week after filming wrapped for season 17 of RHOC. “All I can do is repeat in my head what he said to me while we were filming,” Shannon reveals. “We were in a great place. But seven days later, when the cameras were down, it was a completely different story. He told me he was done with the relationship. And to hear what he said to me then was absolutely devastating.” “I’ve never loved anyone more in my life,” she says of John. “I was hopeful this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I wanted it to work out. I’ve never loved anyone like I’ve loved John. But clearly, he didn’t feel the same way.” When contacted by PEOPLE, John admitted that breaking up with Shannon was a “super hard” decision for him to make. “I’ve been in pain over it,” he explains. “It’s sad because I love Shannon very much. I have loved her more deeply than any woman in my life. She’s one of a kind; so funny and generous and full of life and adventurous. We have a connection that’s unlike anything I’ve ever had. And I know that for as long as I live, I’ll never meet anyone like her again. But that doesn’t mean we’re right for each other for the rest of our lives.” According to the Orange County businessman, when he finally realized that his relationship with Shannon wasn’t forever, he knew it was time to end their romance for good. “It doesn’t make sense to be together if you don’t believe in it,” he says, noting that he waited to break up with Shannon because he didn’t want her to deal with the humiliation of their split on camera. “The last thing I wanted to do is hurt Shannon, but I do think I did the right thing for the both of us,” he adds. “We’re two people who love each other very much, but love is not always enough. And while I know Shannon sees it as I’ve said things to her I never meant, I hope she’ll be able to see that there’s no bad person here. It’s two really good people who couldn’t make it work.” Shannon and John met in 2019 through friends. In July of that year, they went public with their romance. Since splitting, John and Shannon have seen each other twice, on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, at football games for the University of Southern California. Both John and Shannon are USC alums and studied at the famed university at the same time but did not know each other. “I was hopeful we could find a way forward,” Shannon admits. “But being around one another only made it harder for both of us.” The two haven’t seen each other since and have mutually unfollowed each other on social media. “The holidays were very, very difficult,” Shannon confesses. “I couldn’t believe he wasn’t here, and there would be days I would just cry myself to sleep. But it’s a new year, and I’m ready for a fresh start.” As for the future, Shannon reveals that she plans to visit the Golden Door Health and Wellness Retreat later this month. Shannon first visited the retreat in 2016 during a turbulent time in her marriage to her ex-husband, David Beador. “Being at the Golden Door the first time gave me clarity in my relationship and helped me find the strength to move forward on a path of independence,” she explains. “I have no doubt that returning will once again provide me with the perspective and healing to start this next chapter from a place of peace.” When it comes to John, he just wants the best for Shannon. “I think the world of Shannon,” he notes. “I just want the best for her. She deserves that.” RHOC is set to return for season 17 in early 2023.

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