Marriage dreams have taken a different turn for reality TV personality Carly Waddell, who has spoken openly about ending her engagement to Todd Allen Tressler. She used her Instagram page to let people know the relationship is over, sharing a heartfelt video where she explained that the choice was not easy but was the right one for her and her family.
The 39-year-old explained that she had quietly taken off her engagement ring weeks before the announcement, saying she made the decision about a month earlier. According to her, it was not something she rushed into. She admitted the timing felt off because her children had just resumed school and their extracurricular activities, but she felt she had to move forward regardless.
While describing how she feels, Waddell said she is at peace with her decision and added that her children are adjusting well to their new life in a different city. She stressed that what matters most to her is creating a safe and happy environment for her daughter and son as they settle into this new chapter.
Life After Divorce and Moving On
Waddell is no stranger to the difficulties of love after heartbreak. She shares two children, Isabella, born in February 2018, and Charles, born in November 2019, with her ex-husband, Evan Bass. Their marriage came to an end in 2020 after three years together. Since then, she has tried to rebuild her personal life while balancing motherhood.
She introduced Todd Allen Tressler to her followers in March 2024, revealing they had been dating for about a year at that point. By October of that same year, the couple was already engaged, with Waddell also disclosing that she had initially proposed to Tressler before he made his own proposal official. For many who followed her journey, it looked like she had found love again, but things have now taken a different direction.
In her recent Instagram video, Waddell reflected on the realities of dating as a single parent. She admitted that relationships after divorce are far from simple, especially when children are involved. According to her, “dating after divorce and dating with kids is super difficult.” She pointed out that such situations force parents to make hard choices that don’t just affect them but also their children.
She emphasized that she had to consider her children’s happiness and stability above everything else. That, she said, influenced her choice to call off the engagement. For her, being a present and protective mother outweighs the pressure to stay in a relationship that may not be the right fit long term.
Waddell admitted that she struggled with when to go public about the breakup, explaining that she delayed the announcement because she wasn’t fully ready. In her Instagram caption, she wrote that she wanted to be “real” and open, even though it was difficult. She explained that sharing the truth gave her a sense of freedom and helped her move forward with clarity.
She said the experience reminded her that life does not always follow a perfect order. There are times when relationships do not work out the way people expect, and that is fine. For her, honesty was a way to release the burden and create space for healing and growth.
Support From Friends and Bachelor Nation
Since making her announcement, Waddell has received an outpouring of support from friends and colleagues, especially from the Bachelor Nation family. Jade Roper Tolbert encouraged her with kind words, praising her strength and reminding her she is doing the right thing for herself and her children. Jillian Harris also left a message, assuring Waddell that life does not have to follow a strict formula or order. She told her to be proud of putting her children and her own well-being first.
Such support reflects how many people understand the challenges of rebuilding life after a breakup. It also shows how much respect she has earned among her peers for being open and honest about her struggles.
For Waddell, the decision to end her engagement was about much more than love or appearances. It was a statement about her priorities. She continues to show that her role as a mother comes first and that she is willing to make sacrifices to ensure her children’s happiness.
Her story mirrors the experiences of many single parents who try to balance love, responsibility, and personal growth. By speaking openly, she has given others the courage to accept that life does not always move in straight lines. Sometimes the best choice is the hardest one, and peace comes from following what feels right inside.
