Bachelor Nation's Serene Russell and Brendan Morais have come a long way since their surprise first meeting. One year after connecting at Us Weekly's Reality Stars of the Year party in Los Angeles, the Bachelor in Paradise alums appear stronger than ever as they experience long-distance love. "Pretty much since we have been officially together, we've seen each other multiple times a month," Serene, 30, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while enjoying a couple's trip to Hammock Cove Resort & Spa in Antigua. "I think there was only one stretch of time that it went further than, like, three, four weeks." Brendan, 36, added, "We successfully FaceTime every day. I usually get a call around eight in the morning. It's either she's coming to L.A. or I'm going to Oklahoma City. It's been a good balance of seeing each other in each other's city, and she's come to Massachusetts once to meet my family and everything. It's been really fun. It keeps things fresh and exciting." Bachelor Nation's Serene Russell Hilariously Does Brendan Morais' Eyebrows Back in October 2024, Serene decided to make a trip to Los Angeles to attend Us Weekly's star-studded event. Brendan decided to attend as well after receiving a last-minute invite from his friend and fellow Bachelor Nation alum Ivan Hall. Serene Russell and Brendan Morais Courtesy of Serene Russell/Instagram After connecting in person and communicating further via DMs, they kissed on New Year's Eve before making their relationship Instagram official in March. "I think for both of us, having been in public relationships before, we just wanted to get to know each other in a completely organic and normal way without any pressure, or without soft launching and causing speculation," Serene explained to Us. "There were a lot of people that we personally know that didn't even know that we were dating, and so I think we just waited till the time felt right." While the couple has enjoyed romantic getaways and a few Hollywood events together, their bond has grown even stronger after Serene's mom was diagnosed with glioblastoma in May. For Brendan - who lost his father to brain cancer when he was 11 - he has stayed by Serene's side as she navigates the highs and lows of a family member facing a difficult diagnosis. Serene Russell and Brendan Morais Courtesy of Serene Russell/Instagram "He's been really insightful and patient and gives great advice and knows how to just be there and be present without kind of telling me, 'Oh, this is what I did,'" Serene explained. "I'm really grateful for how he's been, and my mom loves him. ... He's been amazing and supportive through this really hard time. I think it shows a lot about his character." Brendan replied, "I'm doing what I should be doing, of course. Being there for her. The least I can do." Fans first met Brendan when he appeared on season 16 of The Bachelorette with Tayshia Adams in 2020. As for Serene, she starred in season 26 of The Bachelor with Clayton Echard in 2022. Both Brendan and Serene also appeared in separate seasons of Bachelor in Paradise, but failed to find their forever person. 'Bachelor in Paradise' Couples Who Are Still Together When asked to share their advice for hopeful Bachelor Nation fans looking for love, both parties said it's best to be patient. "Really pour into yourself and make sure that you're an entirely whole person on your own," Serene said. "Giving yourself that love that you would want out of a partner before you meet them." Brendan added, "I would just say that life is funny in a way where you can have a million bad dates or a million bad boyfriends or girlfriends, but when you meet that one special person, it just negates all the bad that you've been through in your life - as far as relationship wise - and wipes that all away. ... Keep going, keep moving forward. It just takes that one person, that one special moment to make you forget about all the relationships that didn't work out."