NEW YORK — It was finally time for Joan Vassos’ first “Golden Bachelorette” journey to come to an end. Joan had just broken up with Pascal, but she needed to get her head back in the game because Guy and Chock were still vying for her heart. There was a knock on the door on the cruise ship and Nancy was there to save the day. It was great having Joan there to help. He was worried that he was “unlovable” and Nancy assured him that wasn’t the case. “You are so deserving of love. I know you’ve had it before and you can get it again,” Nancy said. This conversation seemed to really reassure Joan.

Gina: We all need friends like Nancy who can lift us up in times of need. Note to all, if you have these friends in your life, always cherish them.

The cruise ship arrived in Bora Bora and it looked like paradise. Joan was excited to finally see her family so she could meet her last two men. Joan’s daughter Ally and her husband Noah were there to share their views on men, along with Joan’s oldest son Nick and his fiancee Brooke. Joan shared with her children that she was conflicted about her feelings for their father and honoring his love for him. Hearing that she was having a hard time during this process reassured her children because they wanted to know that she was always thinking of them. But they also seem to want her to have a bright, loving future.

Chock Meets Joan’s Family

Chock was the first to meet Joan’s children and their significant others. Chock shared that during a visit to his hometown, he kissed Joan in front of everyone, and he did so again in front of Joan’s children. They were completely sullen. Chock cried as she talked about her daughter and the application process. Nick is skeptical of the process and Chock (and possibly any man who isn’t his father). “I really love your mother,” Chock said. “I want to spend my life with him.” Nick said his father was a wonderful man, but Joan was able to bring the family back to happiness after losing her father. Chock said he wasn’t there to replace his father, but he wanted to give Joan a good second chapter of her life. Nick thought he was a very nice person.

Gina: Good answer! This is not a substitution situation, they both just add happiness to each other’s lives. I think the kids appreciated this reaction.

Nick told his mother that he really liked Chock. She said she didn’t want Nick or his sister to be mad at her for moving on with her life. Nick said he and his siblings were so proud to have her go there and be the “Golden Bachelorette” and to have her as their mother. Her children made her feel safe and loved again.

Gina: I’m in tears. I know this guilt has been weighing on Joan all season long. It’s so nice to see that you’re feeling better and moving towards your happiness!

Chock’s Deadline

Chock was on the cusp of a successful date with Joan’s children, and now he had one last chance to impress her on their final date. He met her at her bungalow and Joan told him that he didn’t need to try to be so composed around her. He decided he needed to relax a little more. Chock told Joan he had a gift for her and pulled out a card in which he promised to take her to New York City so they could buy their own house together. Inside the card was a heart keychain with two keys. Come to New York, Joan! We are waiting!

“I want to marry you, I want to spend my life with you, I want you to know that I love you,” Chock said. Joan was very excited. She said it was the first time someone had said those words to her since John died. And Joan didn’t say I love you because she wanted to wait until the end of this journey. Chock couldn’t stop saying this! It killed him to think of Guy waiting on the sidelines, but he put all his money on the table.

Gina: Yeah, it was really hard for Chock not to want Joan to say “I love you,” but I understand his reasoning. Also none of this is “normal” so I hope he doesn’t get discouraged.

Guy and Joan

Guy said when he woke up it was pouring rain outside, but he was excited to meet Joan’s family and have a great day with her. Joan said she woke up yesterday thinking about her date with Chock and decided she was in love and needed to talk to Guy. Poor Man! Joan never had the chance to meet her family. I wonder if things would have been a little better if he had gone first or had been Chock from the beginning?

“My heart belongs to someone else,” Joan said. She’s done her best to tell Guy that she cares about him, but she can’t deny her feelings for Chock. He didn’t want to introduce her to his family and have to come and go on the last day. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I swear, that was the last thing I wanted,” Joan said. Guy cried as he hugged Joan. He was crushed. Joan was so calm! Guy said he felt great that day and that he was in love with her. “I was ready to reveal everything,” Guy said. “This is not what I expected at all,” Joan said, telling him she was all in and was sorry because it made her feel like he was the one. Guy told Joan that he planned to tell his children that he loved her and wanted to marry her. Guy even asked him if he had made up his mind. It happened. Joan told him that they would always be in each other’s lives. “I thought it was Joan, I really thought it was going to happen,” Guy said.

Gina: Wow. Ok. First, it seems that the heavy rain is an omen. But I give Joan props for not wanting to drag it out. If you know, you know. I wasn’t sure what reaction to expect from Guy, but seeing him break down and cry really touched me. And there he was, emotional, waiting off to the side to get on stage and talk live to Jesse and Joan.

Man in Live Show

Guy said watching it again was heartbreaking. “The emotions I felt were sincere, I did not expect it,” he said. “I thought I was that guy, I was convinced.” Still, he said he learned a lot from the experience. Guy said he never thought he would ever feel true love again, but he did and he knew he would find it again.

Joan comes to see Guy for the first time since their separation. Guy said he was looking forward to seeing him again. They took a deep breath and gave each other a big hug. They said a lot of things very quickly about being good and being good. He said everything he does comes from his heart. “Was there something missing that I didn’t anticipate or should have expected?” the man asked. Joan said she found him loving and caring for her and everyone in the house. He said it was hard to say goodbye to her but they didn’t have time and admitted that he still missed her. She said that they would probably be together in the real world, but in the meantime, her relationship with Chock and her heart belonged to him.

Gina: I liked that she asked the question if there was anything missing. He was ready to take advice! I also love how she says she hopes they can become friends and eventually go on a double date. I think Guy was smiling at the thought, but I wasn’t sure he’d be OK with it. Just my opinion!

Final Rose

Joan wore a beautiful white sequined dress adorned with pink roses. He thinks his future is bright and it’s thanks to Joan. Chock said he never saw himself proposing after the death of his fiancée Kathy, but here he is! He said he was ready to start his future with Joan.

Joan stood next to a podium on the beach. Wedge came by boat with a ring in his hand! He looked so handsome in his blue suit! Joan was holding a golden rose in her hand as she approached the dock. Jesse greeted Chock and told him how much Joan meant to him and said he wasn’t going to hold her back anymore, it was time to see Joan.

He walked towards the beaming Joan. Chock kissed and hugged her and told Joan she looked gorgeous. He told her she was the most selfless and generous woman he had ever met. She also said that she would honor John by loving him and telling him that she loved him every day.

Joan said their date at Disneyland felt like the first time in her life she could see someone else. When she set out for her mother’s funeral, Joan said she was worried she wouldn’t return and realized she couldn’t make the journey without her. “I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Joan said. “Thank you!” Chock said.

Then he got down on one knee and proposed! “Joan, will you marry me?” he asked. “Of course I’ll marry you,” said Joan. They are engaged! Unbelievable! Oh, remember, Joan gave Chock the last golden rose and he accepted it with all his love! They knew John and Kathy would despise them and want them to be happy. They called Joan’s mother and she was so excited to hear the big news. “I must finally say that I love you!” Joan said. “It felt so good to me!” Chock said. Hooray!

Gina: I’m not crying, I’m not crying… oh forget it. I’m crying. This was a truly beautiful moment and I’m so happy for Joan and Chock! I met her on a Disneyland date and even then I could tell she was in love with him. This is a great ending to what we hope will be an ongoing love story! By the way, Jesse’s smile when they got back to him on the live broadcast actually said it all.

Chock and Joan on the Live Show

The happy new couple hit the stage and looked incredible! The crowd went crazy! Jesse let the world see her beautiful Neil Lane engagement ring up close, it’s so stunning! Joan was so excited that the secret might finally be out. Chock said he couldn’t be happier and wanted to thank Joan for letting all the men off in style (except him, of course!). Joan said she felt like she gave everyone a fair chance at falling in love, but it was really hard for her to keep that up in the last few days when Chock confessed his love.

Jesse shared photos of the happy couple’s secret visit. Joan and Chock are having a great time together and say they’re getting to know each other even better. They then replayed clips of Chock saying he was “crazy about Joan”. Very funny! He said this so many times! And he said it again on air for good measure.

Gina: May I suggest Madonna’s “Crazy For You” as a song? They look really happy and I’m so excited for them.

Joan and Chock urged anyone looking for love to take risks and go for it! They hoped the golden age would inspire others. Jesse introduced their family and then announced that they were sending both themselves and their families to Disney World in Florida. What a great way to start blending their family! Jesse gave them bride and groom Mickey ears! Very sweet!

Grant on Live Show

Our next “Bachelor” Grant was in the audience and said he was inspired by Joan and Chock. Then Jesse took a sneak peek! They show a bunch of Grant’s performances and he’s good! The women seem like a fun bunch and they’re falling hard and fast. But wait, there’s drama too. Drama is definitely returning to Bachelor Mansion. Grant talks about his fear of being alone. He even has a lone wolf tattoo. He says he wants to share his life with someone special and his family wants that for him too. The finale looks crazy! He doesn’t know who he wants to choose, and Jesse said he needs to know who to send him first. Ahh! Don’t miss the season premiere of “The Bachelor” on January 27 at 8/7c.

Joan and Chock waved to fans as Grant joined them on stage. What a happy ending to a great opening “Golden Bachelorette” season.

Gina: I’ll say it again, I’m SO happy for them. I also loved seeing Bachelor Nation alumni in the house! The ones I see include Kathy, Susan, Jack (sitting next to Susan, ahem), Hakeem, whom we all love from Jenn’s season, and Gary and Nancy sitting next to each other. As I prepare myself for Grant’s seemingly dramatic season, I will pledge my love for the Gold part of this series! Someone claims he was stabbed in the back and says, “You defiled me,” so yes. We are faced with a wild event!

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