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On the newest episode of Southern Charm, Craig Conover confessed his desire to become a father made him think about breaking up with Paige DeSorbo.
"I find myself waiting for her decision on whether she is willing to move in together," shared Craig, 34, with his friend Rodrigo Reyes on an episode of a Bravo series aired on Thursday, November 9. "Paige and I have been in a relationship for quite some time now. I'm aware that I may be pressuring her with thoughts of 'it's time to make a decision.'"
Although Craig has been dating Paige, 31, since the summer of 2021, he mentioned that if it were solely up to him, he would be ready to get engaged before the year comes to an end. (The Southern Charm episode was filmed in early 2023.)
"I desire a life reminiscent of a storybook, complete with a white picket fence," he expressed. "However, it is of utmost importance to me that we continue progressing in that direction."
Craig articulated that his vision for the future has always involved a family and children, prompting him to question if Paige is worth waiting for. "Which do I desire more? To be with Paige and patiently build a family together? Or do I crave starting a family so desperately that I am willing to forsake the love of my life?" he pondered, ultimately affirming that he does not wish to have children with someone he does not love.
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Although the founder of Sewing Down South expressed his determination to never compromise his happiness, he admitted that he and Paige are currently experiencing a sense of stagnation in their relationship.
During a confessional interview, Craig expressed his ongoing frustration with the current trajectory of his relationship with Paige. He shared, "Paige is 30 and whenever we broach this topic, she tends to say, 'I'll have kids when I'm 35.' But in five years, I'll already be 40," conveying his concern about his biological clock ticking.
In the previous season of Summer House, which was filmed in the summer of 2022, Craig and Paige had deliberated on the possibility of her relocating from New York to Charleston.
During an April episode of the Bravo series, Paige shared a confession: "If you were to propose to me tomorrow, it would be an incredible moment. However, it would also initiate the countdown of questions like, 'When are you moving down? When are you planning your wedding?' Even if you proposed to me right now, at this rustic event with hay, I would gladly say yes. But it's a significant adjustment. I would be completely changing my life, far more than you would. I would have to leave my family and friends behind, and that's what brings tears to my eyes." Paige later opened up to her friend Amanda Batula, expressing her fears about engagement, marriage, and the idea of becoming someone's wife: "The thought of getting engaged, getting married, and being someone's wife is truly terrifying. Why doesn't anyone mention how frightening it can be?"
Craig expressed his concerns about the future on Thursday's episode of Southern Charm. However, in September, he assured us that he and Paige are doing well, having just celebrated two years together. He believes that they have found a good balance and are not letting the uncertainties of the future affect their relationship. They are enjoying their time together, dividing it between New York City and Charleston. Craig admitted that his expectations of relationships were influenced by romantic comedies, where conflicts are resolved, and couples get engaged and married.
Craig mentioned that since summer 2022, the couple has experienced growth and has started discussing the practical aspects of their future. "There are many things we need to sort out. While we are currently in a good place in our relationship, we need to determine where we'll live. We also need to have conversations about finances and having children," he elaborated. "I am in a much better place this summer compared to last year, and looking back, I feel a bit embarrassed that I had even considered proposing to her last summer. I'm just genuinely happy that I didn't, because I am truly content now."
Catch Southern Charm on Bravo Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.