Rachael Kirkconnell Says She’s Still 'a Hopeless Romantic' But Isn’t 'Putting Myself Out There Yet' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

‘The Bachelor’ alum Rachael Kirkconnell at Amazon’s Galentine’s Day Staycation in New York City.Photo:Sophie Sahara/Amazon

Sophie Sahara/Amazon

ForRachael Kirkconnell, thisValentine’s Dayis for the girls.

“I’m still loving the season,” Kirkconnell, 28, tells PEOPLE of being single on Valentine’s Day afterbreaking upwith former BachelorMatt Jameslast month. “I know it looks different than it has the last few years for me, but I’ve always been a big Valentine’s Day lover just because I don’t think it needs to be focused specifically on you or your relationship.”

Accordingly, Kirkconnell partnered with Amazon to share herGalentine’s Day gift guidethat she packed with “items I either own and love or I thought were really cute for hosting,” she explains.

The list includesheart-shaped wine glasses,rose quartz coasters, aheart-shaped Dutch ovenandPapyrus cards.

“I feel like you never know when you’re ordering online if it could end up being exactly what you see Amazon’s pretty good with that, at least with the pieces that I’ve picked out and wear. And I’m really big on reviews, so I’m making sure that I’m looking at that,” says Kirkconnell, who shops using the Amazon Lens visual search tool and Amazon’s virtual shopping assistant Rufus. “I am a huge Amazon girl. I don’t even remember what life looked like before Amazon Prime. I am getting a package from Amazon every other day.”

“All the girls were so, so kind, so fun,” Kirkconnell gushes. “I would say it’s probably the most important thing is being able to have people that you know, love and trust in your corner and that are going to be there for you at all times through anything.”

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TheBacheloralum will be spending Feb. 14 with female friends, too, on a trip to Las Vegas on behalf of MGM.

“We’re going to be staying at The Cosmo and just having a fun girls' weekend,” Kirkconnell shares. “We’re actually going to be pretty chill. We’re doing a spa day and things like that, so relaxation and fun.”

Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James at Variety, The New York Party, on Oct. 5, 2023 in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/Variety via Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Variety via Getty

In the months following Valentine’s Day, Kirkconnell plans to make herself her top priority after being in a four-year relationship.

“I am looking forward to putting myself first, focusing on myself and my passions, my goals,” she says. “It can feel a little lonely at times, but I tell myself to take advantage of it because I haven’t had this time to myself in a long time. So just trying to look at it in a positive way.”

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Still, Kirkconnell won’t totally rule out the possibility of finding love.

“I’m a hopeless romantic and if Prince Charming comes tomorrow, I’m not going to push him away,” the Georgia native says. “Hopefully it’ll happen naturally, but if I’m 50 and still single, then that’s fine too. I’m not going to force it.”

Kirkconnell has learned that, when you do force a relationship with someone who “might not be your perfect person” you end up “trying to squeeze them into this box that might not fit.”

“So I definitely just want it to be organic,” Kirkconnell says. “I’m not going to say no, but I’m definitely focusing on myself and not putting myself out there yet.”

source: people.com