Bachelorette Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko Celebrate 1-Year Anniversary: 'Even with the Odds Against Us'

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"You are the love that I didn’t expect, but changed my life for the absolute better," Lawson wrote on Instagram

<p>Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty</p> Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko at

Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty

Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko at 'The Bachelorette' live finale Aug. 21, 2023

Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko are still in love!

The season 20 Bachelorette celebrated her first anniversary with Olubeko, 31, on May 1 with a loving Instagram tribute featuring a photo from their engagement shoot. “We did it babe 🥹🤍💍,” Lawson declared.

“Even with the odds against us…You are the love that I didn’t expect, but changed my life for the absolute better, the way you love me and who you are proves to be true, day after day, that sometimes ‘a good thing is just a good thing,’” the 28-year-old child and family therapist continued. “I love you so much and forever grateful for you!”

<p>REEM Photography | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/photosbyreem/" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="1">@photosbyreem</a></p> A preview of Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko's engagement photoshoot

REEM Photography | @photosbyreem

A preview of Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko's engagement photoshoot

During The Bachelorette’s live finale on Aug. 21, 2023, Lawson presented Olubeko with the final rose in Fiji. The integrative medicine specialist then got down on one knee to propose to Lawson with a 3-carat diamond ring.

Related: Every 'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' Couple: Where Are They Now?

Lawson recalled their connection blooming early in the season while on a trip to Oceanside, California, noting that they had an “incredibly special moment” that changed her life “forever.”

“When I looked in your eyes in that moment, I saw the man that respected me, that valued me, that adored me, but a man that I can love forever,” she told Olubeko, who agreed wholeheartedly.

“The love that we have is perfect,” he affirmed.

After the finale, the pair spoke with PEOPLE about their wedding plans. Although they haven’t set a date, Lawson wanted a year-and-a-half engagement before tying the knot in 2025 or 2026. Olubeko added that the pair hoped to move in together “as soon as possible.”

<p>Craig Sjodin/abc</p> Dotun Olubeko proposes to Charity Lawson during the finale of 'The Bachelorette' Aug. 21, 2023

Craig Sjodin/abc

Dotun Olubeko proposes to Charity Lawson during the finale of 'The Bachelorette' Aug. 21, 2023

“We're not really trying to have a super incredibly 17-year length engagement,” she told PEOPLE. “We obviously came here to find love, and we have successfully done that. So [we’re] super happy to get our lives started.”

Related: Charity Lawson Prioritizes 'Date Night at Least Once a Week' with Fiancé Dotun Olubeko amid DWTS (Exclusive)

The former Bachelorette returned to television shortly after her finale to participate in season 32 of Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired with Artem Chigvintsev. The duo reached the last leg of the ballroom dance competition, placing fourth overall and losing out to actress Xochitl Gomez and pro Val Chmerkovskiy.

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Ahead of her DWTS run, Lawson told PEOPLE that Olubeko had helped with her mental, physical and emotional well-being for the competition, calling him her “No. 1 fan.”

“Honestly, we’re thriving,” she said of their relationship.

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