LOS ANGELES, CA. — Joan Vassos wasn’t sure what to expect when she started filming the first season of The Golden Bachelorette .

Fans knew Rockville native Vassos from the first season of Golden License. He had to leave the show early due to a family emergency.

He tried again, this time with 24 eligible bachelors. And he eventually chose insurance president Chock Chapple from Wichita, Kansas.

“Other than that, I thought I wanted to come out of this situation with someone important, someone I would like to explore a relationship with outside of the Bachelor,” she said. “But I didn’t know I could get to a place where I would be ready to get engaged in such a short time, so it’s a bit of a surprise that I’m here.”

“I love being engaged. It’s such a relief for me to have found my own person,” she said.

The couple had been in hiding since the series wrapped shooting in Bora Bora months ago, when Chapple got down on one knee and proposed to Vassos. Chapple said it was liberating to finally be able to tell the world the good news.

“The support we’ve received is incredible. We’ve been so blessed by the support and love from the fans and our families, and we’re both so lucky that this has happened to us,” he said.

Vassos and Chapple grew close throughout the season as they lost a key figure as partners. Their message to others in similar situations is to put yourself out there.

“If you really want love and friendship, you have to go out and open your heart, be willing to take risks,” Chapple said.

“You’re kind of comfortable at this age, you’ve got friends, you’ve got family. You can get heartbroken and things can happen, but if you don’t shake it you’ll never get to the next level. Where you really want to be in life,” Vassos said.

As for what’s next, the couple said they plan to buy an apartment in New York, but they don’t have any solid plans for where their home will be for them. Vassos said they will come to Maryland next week to see family and friends. Chapple also has family that lives outside of the D.C. area. and looks forward to introducing them to Vassos.