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Nicole Johnson is keeping it real about fiancé and Olympian Michael Phelps. The model shared recently that there were times where she actually “loathed” her groom-to-be before they got back together and were in it for the long haul.
“There definitely were times, and I think Michael would say the same thing, where I hated him,” the 31-year-old shared with Cosmopolitan in a recent interview. “We were at odds at times.” But even though relationship was on the rocks at the time, she was still smitten. “Even when I loathed him, there were still times when I was like, ‘God, I wish I was with him.'” Girl, we’ve all been there.
The former Miss California noted that this time around is different than the last. “Michael and I both know that had we tried to have a child and get married in the previous time we were together, it probably would not have ended pretty,” she shared candidly, noting that they needed their separation to mature. “We both had a lot of growing up to do. We both had a lot of learning about ourselves to do.” A refreshingly honest account of their relationship — which shows how far they have come.
Previously, Johnson and the 23-time gold medal-winning Olympian dated in 2009 but broke up numerous times, according to ET Online. Now after finally reconciling, the two are parents to their 4-month-old son, Boomer, and last year Phelps made it official when he asked his leading lady to be his wife.
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Clearly these two have come a long way, and they now understand what it takes to be in a relationship for the longterm. “I don’t think you can be in a good relationship unless you love yourself to the fullest and you want to help the other person become a better person. We definitely needed that time apart to recognize that about ourselves and to appreciate one another.” Wise words, Mrs. Soon-to-Be Phelps!
On the topic of her fiancé retiring, the model says Phelps probably won’t swim professionally again, but if he does, it would only be for the cutest reason ever: Boomer. “Then again, you never know. Maybe he misses it so much and maybe Boomer convinces him that he has to go back so Boomer can remember it.” The good news is her man has four years to make his decision, so our fingers will be crossed for a while. In the meantime, we’ll be ready and waiting to stalk their wedding photos — Boomer as best man definitely has a nice ring to it.