It’s been a long wait, but at last Paul Connell’s divorce is finalized.
Though his girlfriend of four years, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania, is happy to finally have some “closure,” she’s in no hurry to get engaged. She’s just relieved to have the lengthy legal process behind them after so much time.
The Irish native may finally be legally single, but Dolo’s in no hurry for him to put a ring on it. “No, absolutely not,” she insisted. “I’m not rushing into anything.”
Paul Connell has a ring and he’s ready to pop the question
Even though Paul and his ex-wife Joanne split nearly 20 years ago, neither of them filed for divorce at that time. They just never saw the need for it. But in February 2020, Joanne finally filed, following a 14-year separation. The former couple were married for over a decade and share two sons.
“[The divorce] doesn’t really change the dynamics of our relationship,” Dolores told the Daily Mail. “I just feel like it’s a relief that it’s finally done.”
For his part, Paul is just relieved to have it over and that Dolo stood by him throughout the process. “I will forever be grateful for that because that meant a lot to me,” he shared. “I’m really happy that she stood by me and … I’m with somebody that really cares for me.’
“She’s a great partner, a great friend, a great role model,” he added. “Anybody would be an idiot to not want that in their life.”
Even though his girlfriend says she’s in no hurry, Paul has already taken the first step toward a wedding. He’s got a ring, and he’s ready to pop the question “at any time.”
“There’s nothing that’s going to push or prevent me from doing it now because I have free stage,” he continued. But he may wait a bit since he wants to surprise his girl.
Dolores just wants a “peaceful and loving” relationship
In a previous interview with Hello! magazine, Dolores shared that marriage isn’t the holy grail for her. “A lot of people are always talking about marriage,” she said. “They want to see you get married. But that’s not my goal.”
“My goal is to be in a relationship that’s peaceful and loving and where you grow together,” she reflected. “Then maybe marriage comes along further down the road.”
She and Paul have a good life the way it is now. They have “a harmonious relationship. We get along, we’re happy,” she said. “Our lives are so easy the way things are going.”
Dolores has been single since divorcing her ex, Frank Catania, in 1998. They also share two grown children and are still on good terms with each other. They remained close despite their divorce and co-parented their children together. At one time, Frank was even living in Dolores’ house, but he’s got his own place now and a wedding coming up with his fiancée Brittany.
And Frank and Pauly are buddies, too, even though Frank sometimes refers to Paul as “Buzz Lightyear.”
The Real Housewives of New Jersey is now streaming on Peacock.
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