Shaunie O’Neal, executive producer and star of VH1’s Basketball Wives, recently sat down with The Shade Room and talked about her relationship with fiancé Pastor Keion Henderson, finding love again, and what it feels like to be loved by Henderson. 

“Love feels easy,” the O’Neal said. “I think that he makes it easy to love him, to love this relationship, and I think the older you get, you just realize what’s important, you realize how to communicate with people, you realize how to overcome obstacles in relationships.”

During the interview, O’Neal revealed that the bond she established with Henderson has allowed her to show up and put in the work to maintain a loving relationship with him. 

“It takes work, but it shouldn’t be hard work, you know what I mean? It can be tedious, but it shouldn’t be so stressful or hard or consuming. And you know. work that I want to go to, work that I want to show up for,” she said. “Love feels peaceful and easy and so good, and it keeps a smile on my face, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

The 47-year-old met Henderson through a mutual friend and started dating in 2020. However, O’Neal went public with her future husband in July 2021, stating that the 40-year-old made her “the happiest girl in the world” as she posted a photo of the two on her Instagram account. 

In November, Henderson surprised his wife-to-be with a breathtaking proposal on a tropical island while gifting her a custom 4.22-karat radiant-cut diamond ring with 50 round-cut brilliant white diamonds set in an 18-karat white gold band by Jason of Beverly Hills, Sis2Sis reported.

“This was one of the most magical and special days of my life, being someone that had never officially been proposed to — like no down on one knee and asked ‘will you marry me’ moment,” Shaunie said in a statement to PEOPLE. “And honestly, I’m the person that thought I would never in my lifetime experience a love like this. Everything about that night was incredibly amazing.”

Henderson also shared a statement with the outlet and his plans with the entrepreneur. 

“I’ve never met a more supportive person in my life. There is an inseparable connection that is undeniable between Shaunie and I,” he said. “I am unwilling to let anyone else occupy her space. The love and respect we share for each other contribute to our ever-evolving humility and growth. Which ultimately makes us more like God. Who wouldn’t want a spouse that makes you more like The Creator? She simply brings out the best in me and wants the best for me.”

O’Neal was previously married to basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and shared four children– Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me’arah. She also has another son, Myles, from a previous relationship. 

The couple plans to exchange wedding vows this year.