Carsten “Bergie” Bergersen and Taylor Nicole Smith are commemorating one year together with sweet messages to each other!
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Love Island USA season 5 stars — who have been dating long-distance since the show wrapped in 2023 — shared tributes dedicated to one another to mark one year of dating.
Alongside an Instagram post containing several cute couple photos — and solo shots of Taylor — Bergie began, “Happy 1 Year Anniversary to the girl who has made me the happiest for the last 365 Days! This past year we have laughed and we have loved.”
“I have developed a relationship with airports, where I’m either really excited to go or never want to leave!” Bergie, 24, wrote about his girlfriend, 25. “We have had so many FaceTime calls this past year that have gone on for endless hours but still never feel long enough! Heck, we fall asleep while FaceTime’ing more than we hang up, including last night!”
Carsten Bergersen and Taylor Nicole Smith in June 2024.
Jeff Schear/Peacock via Getty
During their first year as a couple, The Traitors season 2 star went on, “we have gone on so many adventures together and have so many stories to tell. I know Fredericksburg is one of our favorites😉!”
“But, if someone were to ask how we met I would tell them, August 2023 in the Love Island Villa, and that is a story that needs a whole season to show how I fell in love with you,” he continued. “Babe thank you for making me a better man this past year, thank you for caring for me like no other person, thank you for being my words of wisdom when I have needed guidance!”
“I Love you @taylor98smith!” Bergie concluded. “Here’s to many more years to come!”
To mark the relationship milestone, Taylor also shared an Instagram post filled with sweet snaps documenting their year together, from a heart made of rose petals to a journal entry that reads, “This is the day the man of my dreams walked into my life.”
Like Bergie, she also shared a lengthy and heartfelt tribute.“Carsten,” she began. “This past year has been the craziest most fantastic year I could have ever imagined. If you were to ask me before going on love island ‘Do you think you’re actually going to find love on the show.’ I probably would’ve said the odds are very slim. But Boy Was I wrong!”
“I came out with the greatest gift god could’ve given me and that was you….My Big Bad Bergie,” she wrote. “Going on Love island was a Risk I was willing to take knowing I never knew what the feeling of being in love actually felt like or having strong love for someone who you just can’t imagine life without. But I finally understand the saying ‘when you know you just know’ and that’s exactly how I feel when I’m with you.”
Taylor continued, “The way you continuously challenge me in life as I strive to become a better person is just one of the many reasons why I love you. As we continue our everyday facetime calls, monthly visits, Amazing date nights and the commitment of this long distance relationship we have is stronger than anyone could ever imagine.”
“So here’s to 1 year down and the rest of our lives to go,” she finished. “Happy Anniversary babe! 🔐🤍.”
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Speaking with PEOPLE about their relationship in June, Bergie said the couple — who finished in third place on the show — is “making it work by staying on the same page with our short-term and long-term goals.”
“These goals consist of our relationship, family, career, and personal goals,” he told PEOPLE. “We FaceTime at least two hours every day. We talk about our future together and what we appreciated and learned from our day.”
“We are still continuing to learn more about one another and falling deeper in love every day,” he added.
