Craig Conover made drastic change to prove he was ‘husband and father material’ to Paige DeSorbo

Craig Conover “pretty much stopped drinking” ahead of the tenth season of “Southern Charm.”

The 35-year-old reality TV star revealed during an interview with People that he cut back on his alcohol consumption to show girlfriend Paige DeSorbo, 32, he was ready to settle down.

“I had made a decision months before the season started to become more of a husband and father material than just the fun boyfriend,” he explained. “I could see it in Paige’s eyes that she saw the person I could be.”

While he will “have a drink or two” once every few months, the moderation makes him feel “drastically better than drinking every night or every other night.”

“I’m having fun finding that middle ground,” he said, noting he has “a lot” more “energy” to put into his work life now.

Before making the switch, Conover said he “was just filling [his] time” with drinking because he “didn’t know any better.”

“Every activity to me was a drinking activity, and I never knew the world outside of it,” he admitted. “That was always my priority, and I’ve found value in other things. It’s been a real blessing.”

Now, the lawyer packs his schedule with “wholesome activities” — like working out, traveling and tending to his garden and bees.

“There is a part of me that I haven’t necessarily killed off, but I’ve put away,” he said. “And I think people who really liked that side of me will have to mourn, which I never considered before.”’

Although some of his co-stars haven’t fully accepted the change, he said he and DeSorbo are happier than ever.

“We’re playing the long game,” he said. “It would be easy to go for instant gratification, but the foundation that we’re building is so that we die together one day, not just make it fun.”

Although fans have become very invested in the couple’s romance, Conover said they are in no rush to take the next step — even if that’s what they both want in the long run.

“We know we’re going to get married one day, and when it happens, it’ll be a lot of fun, but whenever that is, who knows?” he said. “Once you take yourself out of that pressure cooker and have some perspective and travel, life’s a little more simple. There’s no reason to put pressure on it.”

Despite previously saying it wouldn’t be “the end of the world” if they broke up, the Sewing Down South cofounder said he is “committed to doing what it takes to make it work.”

“We’ve got a couple years probably until we start having kids, and then we’ll have to figure it out,” he said. “But I’ve really taken this normal role now of being a happy wife, happy life.”

They will surely have to figure out their living arrangement, as the “Summer House” star is still based in New York City while Conover lives in Charleston, SC.

However, in October, Conover told Page Six they “basically live together” despite residing “in two different places.”

The author explained that DeSorbo spends most of the spring in Charleston and he jets up to NYC in the summer.

“She does say that she sees me more than she saw some boyfriends that lived in New York City because of the commute [across boroughs],” he said with a laugh.

Although he admitted it can be “difficult” at times, they have “embraced” their “unique” situation.

“We both love where we live and we don’t know what’s coming next, but we’d rather go through those challenges with the right person than with the wrong person.”

The beloved Bravo couple has been dating for three years. 

Season 10 of “Southern Charm” premieres Dec. 5, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.