Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon claims she’s happy to be “building a life” with boyfriend Darrin Kitchens, a year after splitting with husband Josh Efird, who happens to be Darrin’s cousin.
The Mama June: Family Crisis star took to Facebook on Tuesday to give her new man a shoutout, before going on to address the skeptics who have doubted the couple’s relationship.
“If you would’ve told me a year ago that we’d be building a life together we would both probably laugh it off,” Pumpkin wrote. “But this man has continuously the past year changed his perspective, his ways, his entire lifestyle, & made sure to make me feel like I’m on top of the world every single day.”
While Pumpkin praised Darrin for changing his “entire lifestyle” in the past year, it’s worth noting that Pumpkin and Josh made some big changes as well. As fans know, the pair split quietly in August 2024 after six years of marriage and four children together.
Even though the former couple’s divorce wasn’t finalized until September, both were quick to move on to new relationships, with Pumpkin dating Darrin and Josh dating a woman named Keely, who at the time, was pregnant with Darrin’s child (allegedly). After Josh and Keely split, Josh went on to begin a relationship with Breanna Godwin, who gave birth to his fifth child, daughter Sadie, in May.
Meanwhile, Pumpkin and Darrin have been going strong since last summer.
In her Facebook post this week, Pumpkin expressed how proud she is of Darrin for “the growth” he’s made during the last year, not only for himself but for their relationship.
“The man you were a year ago IS NOT the same man you are today,” Pumpkin wrote. “I am always so so proud of you.”
Pumpkin went on to acknowledge that many people took issue with her and Darrin dating, particularly because Darrin is related to Josh.
“So many have an opinion about us or you, but they don’t know you like I do as cliche as that may sound,” she wrote. “All the helping hands with the kids, all the countless projects for our home, all the endless spoiling, & just all the love you have to give in general.
“Forever grateful for getting to experience this type of love & growth with you … ,” she added.
As The Ashley told you last month, when asked about the possibility of her and Darrin walking down the aisle in the near future, Pumpkin said that she and her ex-husband’s cousin are taking things slow– at least for now, anyway.
“Honestly, we’re taking it day by day,” she said. “Like, I don’t want to rush anything. I really felt like I did that in my previous marriage and maybe that’s where I went wrong. So like, with this [relationship], I really, really do like him, so I do want to just take things easy and take things slow.
“I’m not rushing anything,” she added.
(Photos: Facebook; WeTV)
9 Responses
Looks like the same pictures she used to take with Josh in the beginning
So Pumpkin, Josh, Darrin and Keely all flip flopped with each other? That is what is weird to me but whatev I suppose.
I don’t even think the cousin thing is that big of a deal. Ppl have lots of cousins. I barely know some of mine. But let’s not act like you don’t care what people think- you obviously do. Which makes your choices crazy, girl
I haven’t been this grossed out since the article about Seeking Sister Wife. But this is even worse.
That whole relationship is cray cray… Why would she start a relationship with his cousin? Like she couldn’t find someone else that isn’t related to her ex? Just plain crazy and bizarre.
Why is he LICKING HER FACE people!
Seriously – YUCK!!! The Honey Boo Boo tribe continues to prove that they are the epitome of trash.
They are nasty. Mama June has introduced her children to a swingers club. Jessica & Shyann and Cuzinhusband & Pumpkin go there!
I just hope they don’t all go together!
“I’m not rushing anything”
Except for immediately getting into a relationship with your husband’s cousin and moving yourself and your kids in with him very quickly. Maybe somebody will believe her but I don’t.