Maddi Reese’s health issues were at top of mind as she mapped out her future on Southern Hospitality Season 4.
While wrapping up a couples massage with boyfriend Joe Bradley in the Dominican Republic during Episode 10, Maddi admitted that she was “feeling nervous” about going back on tour, as well as for the make-up DJ set she was about to perform on the island after previously having to cancel the gig due to an illness.
“I just want to be able to, like, secure my future,” Maddi told Joe, who replied that he wanted the same, not only for himself but for the family he hopes they have someday.
RELATED: Joe Bradley Reveals When He’s Proposing to Maddi Reese, and It’s “Sooner Than You Think”
“I know, like, a family one day is, like, important, but it’s like we’re still so young, and you’re figuring out your career,” she responded. “Then I was obviously, like, sick this past year, and just, I don’t know.”
When Joe said that he thought Maddi was healthy and that she shouldn’t “stressed out” about it, she reminded him, “I’ve just got alcoholism, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD. I have a lot of diseases. A lot of those, like, the side effect is infertility.”
She elaborated in a confessional, “I got diagnosed with celiac when I was in, like, fifth grade, and one of the main side effects is infertility. And on top of that, I have, like, fertility issues in my family.” After detailing some of her mom Mary Ellen’s past struggles, Maddi continued, “That broke my mom. So this has been on my mind for a while. And the older I get, the scarier it gets.”
Inside Maddi Reese and Joe Bradley’s discussion about her possible infertility and having kids
Maddi also brought Joe up to speed on how she’d recently gotten blood work done, including a fertility test, but was avoiding looking at the results. “I don’t think I want to know,” she shared.
When Joe countered that he did want to know what the tests showed, Maddi told him, “I think it’s, like, something I’ll probably, like, do with my mom. But I just wanted to let you know that, like, I am probably going to freeze my eggs, because having a family is something that I do want one day.”
Joe, for his part, remarked, “I don’t know if I would be with you, like, end game if you didn’t want a family, you know? It’s one of your dreams, and it’s one of my dreams too.”
He further told a producer, “It’s a huge step to even be having this conversation. And I can kind of like see our future: me with, like, the BabyBjörn and two other kids in each arm. She’d be kind of the crazy soccer mom. And we’d be competitive, but fun parents.”
RELATED: Are Maddi Reese and Joe Bradley Still Together? Hear Their *Major* Relationship Update
As Joe put it to Maddi, “I don’t think you should be stressed out about your fertility. I’m gonna be right there with you whenever you need me. … We’ll have healthy babies one day. I’m not worried about that. Apparently, I’ve got hella swimmers. Apparently, I’ve got, like, an army.”
Where Maddi Reese and Joe Bradley’s relationship stands today
After filming wrapped on Season 4 of Southern Hospitality, Maddi and Joe did, indeed, begin expanding their family — by adopting a puppy together. During Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen‘s March 18 episode, the couple announced that they had recently become parents to a bernedoodle named Ozzy.
While visiting the WWHL Clubhouse, Maddi also referred to Joe as “the most supportive, amazing boyfriend.” It might not be long before she’s calling him her fiancé, however.
“I’m proposing to her sooner than you think. It’s going to probably be in the next year,” Joe previously revealed during Episode 8 of Southern Hospitality. “I’m starting to look at rings. For me and her, it’s just timing.”
As they navigate the next steps in their romance, get even more details on Maddi and Joe’s relationship today.
