The Bachelorette 's Katie Thurston Opens Up About Finding True Love with Fiancé Blake Moynes

Aili Nahas
·2 min read
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In the weeks since their romantic engagement while taping the season finale of The Bachelorette, Katie Thurston and Blake Moynes have gotten to know each other even better — this time, away from the cameras.

"We're opposite in the kinds of movies we like — I like scary, he doesn't," Thurston, 30, tells PEOPLE. "And we talked about our love languages — I'm words of affirmation and he's physical touch, let's be honest!"

On a deeper level, Thurston and Moynes, 30, say the time they've connected since the finale of what proved to be a very dramatic season, only proves that everything happened for a reason.

RELATED: Katie Thurston Gets Engaged to Blake Moynes on The Bachelorette Finale: 'This Was Meant to Be'

Katie thurston , blake moynes; bachelorette
Katie thurston , blake moynes; bachelorette

We are the Rhoads

"I have no regrets," says Thurston, who not only navigated tension amongst the contestants, but the shocking exits of two of her finalists — Greg Grippo and Michael Allio. "What we went through has really strengthened our relationship. The struggles were worth it."

THE BACHELORETTE - "1709" – After an unexpected and heartbreaking departure before “hometowns,” Katie is nervous but excited to continue the journey with her three remaining men in New Mexico. With stakes at an all-time high and the pressure of meeting loved ones, she tries to balance falling in love with fairness – but keeping her emotions held close leads to a tense fallout with one of the guys. Can Katie patch things up enough to convince him (and herself) to stay, or is she ready to quit her journey for good? An all-new episode of “The Bachelorette” airs MONDAY, AUG. 2 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin) BLAKE MOYNES, KATIE THURSTON

Craig Sjodin/ABC Blake Moynes and Katie Thurston

For Thurston and Moynes, who joined the season in episode four, the connection was instant.

For more on Katie Thurston opening up about finding true love with fiance Blake Moynes and other top stories, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

Prior to the show, "we had talked very casually in DMs," says Thurston. "I thought he was hot, but I didn't think much of it. When I met him in person, something about his energy shifted my mind completely. I knew this was going to be a strong relationship."

RELATED: Every Bachelor and Bachelorette Couple: Where Are They Now?

BLAKE MOYNES, KATIE THURSTON
BLAKE MOYNES, KATIE THURSTON

abc / Getty Blake Moynes and Katie Thurston

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For Moynes, "the physical connection was there right away," he says. "I wanted to kiss her the first time I met her! Everything just felt so natural. I was never nervous with her."

Watch the full episode of People Features: The Bachelorette on PeopleTV.com or on the PeopleTV app.

Now, as they plan their future together, Thurston says she and Moynes are "more in love" than ever.

"We think the same way about the world," she says. "Blake is passionate and funny and I feel so confident in what we have. I'd do it all over again if it meant I'd get to be with him."