The couple was non-exclusive in 2016.

Justin and Hailey Bieber’s journey to the altar wasn’t without its challenges. Before they wed, the couple met at a time when the singer wasn’t ready to make a commitment — and he told Hailey just as much when they first started dating back in 2016.

Back then, the pair strategically labeled their relationship as non-exclusive, and, now, Justin is explaining why he couldn’t fulfill the role of a traditional boyfriend at the time. During an emotional interview with Zane Lowe at Apple Music, Bieber revealed the reasoning behind his decision to keep things casual with Hailey. “I think I was just hurt from my previous relationship,” he began, seemingly referencing his on-again, off-again romance with Selena Gomez.

“I think I still was dealing with a lot of unforgiveness and all that sort of stuff,” Justin continued. “To be honest, I don’t think I even knew what I was really struggling with at the time. I don’t think I knew I was dealing with unforgiveness.”

At another point in the conversation, Justin told Lowe how he broke the news to Hailey that they couldn’t be an exclusive couple. “I’d let her know prior to the tour when we were hanging a lot. I said, ‘Listen, I’m still really hurt and still trying to figure out my way, and I’m not ready to make a commitment to you in a way that…I just don’t want to say something and do the opposite,'” he said.

“I was at the point where I’d done that in the past. And I just was honest with her, I was like, ‘I’m not in a place to be faithful,’ and all this sort of stuff, that I wanted to be — but I just wasn’t there yet.”

Fast forward to present day, and Justin and Hailey have found their forever. “I’m freaking married now,” Justin exclaimed during the interview. “I got the best wife in the world. She supports me through so much. I’m really honored to be her husband.” And that, ladies and gentleman, is a prime example of how true love prevails.