The Bachelor | Hometowns

[SPOILERS] We’re back! I’m only starting this post 40 minutes late after some serious technical difficulties with my laptop. If you’d like to help alleviate this problem, you can contribute to my GoFundMe page. Just kidding. There isn’t a GoFundMe page but it feels like there should be. It’s hard to keep your tech up to date + pay you student loans. I hate being a grownup. But it’s not about me right now. It’s Monday night. It’s time for wine, yoga pants + The Bachelor. So let’s buckle up for this hometown date! We’re getting to see Arie interact with our final four + their family. Tonight we’re traveling to meet Kendall, Tia, Becca + Lauren B.’s families. So let’s get this show on the road!

First up is Kendall’s hometown of Los Angeles. Kendall is wearing a grey + black tie dyed romper with three quarter sleeves, brown belt + black bootie. Their first stop is a taxidermy warehouse. I don’t know that I could do this. They’re mounting white rats. They stuff rats + dress them so that they’re on a bachelor date in a diorama of Paris. As uncomfortable as Arie is, he’s loving getting to spend the time with Kendall + honestly it makes me tear up. Too many times something (not to the extreme of taxidermy) I’m into has been a dealbreaker for guys. Arie may not be my favorite bachelor of all time but I’m a big fan of how open he was. They grab a lemonade + Arie asks who he’ll be meeting. Kendall tells him about her parents + siblings. Her twin sister will apparently be the toughest. Kendall hopes that seeing Arie with her family will give her the ability to fall fully + tell Arie how she feels.

It’s time to meet the parents. Arie has both flowers + a big basket with wine + probably cheese. How sweet! That’s how you go to someone’s home for the first time. Kendall’s dad is SCAR-Y + hard to read for sure. Mom pulls Kendall aside + tells her how important it is to listen to her heart. Okay Disney movie. Kylie talks to Arie + says that there’s chemistry but distance + that makes her uncomfortable. He tells her Kendall is the most interesting person he’s ever been with + that she’s incredible. He says he wants a proposal but isn’t sure that Kendall would be ready for marriage. Kendall tells Kylie that being with Arie is effortless but Kylie doesn’t like that Kendall didn’t respond when Arie told her he was falling for her. Now it’s dad’s turn. He’s very skeptical of how serious + right this is. Arie shares again that he’s falling for her + that there’s great potential there. Dad tells Arie that he doesn’t have permission to ask for her hand because her dad doesn’t think she’s ready. Kendall tells Kylie she’s not ready for marriage yet but she’s afraid to lose him. When they leave she does tell him that she’s falling, too. She’s scared but excited. He loves that he’s vulnerable. They kiss goodbye + it’s time for our next date.

We’re in Weiner! Population 716–Jeez do you marry your cousin there? Tia’s wearing a white v-neck sweater, cut-offs + sneakers. They spend their one-on-one time racing on a dirt track. After they sit + drink beer in the bed of a truck. She warns him about her family. I’m nervous for this meeting. Arie brings flowers + something in a gift bag. They toast with wienies on toothpicks then it’s Tia’s brother’s turn to talk to Arie. It seems her brother has been googling Arie. Arie of course is uncomfortable because you don’t choose your nickname. He doesn’t feel that who he was when he raced isn’t who he is now. Arie assures her brother that he’s falling for her + loves that she’s a strong southern girl who puts him in his place. Tia tells her father that she’s falling in love with him + that he’s leaps + bounds better than her exes. When Arie talks to her dad, he tells him that he’s been googling him. Arie explains that this process is stressful + but he’s sent 25 other women home because he has something with Tia. Arie asks for his blessing to marry Arie + dad says he’s trusting Tia on this one because “she really digs ya. If you hurt her, I can find you on google.” Tia’s mom trusts her feelings + is really happy for her. Tia tells him she loves him + they kiss goodbye.

Becca is wearing a long oatmeal sweater, a light cocoa brown coat, cranberry scarf, skinny jeans + brown booties for the cutest apple picking date. They pick apples, they slingshot them to a target, they dip them in caramel. GOALS! They talk about who’ll Arie will meet. Uncle Gary is her surrogate father + is very protective especially because her father passed away. Arie’s got flowers + another basket. Seriously shoutout to Arie’s mother for raising him properly. Only one of my exes has met my parents as my boyfriend + he didn’t bring anything. Granted he came from school on the train to visit me in the hospital, but still. Becca is hoping that seeing them together will reassure their family. Uncle Gary pulls Arie aside for a chat. They’re both choked up. Uncle Gary asks if they’re just wasting time or she’s the real deal. Arie assures him she is. Becca tells her mom that she could be engaged next time she sees her + ask if Arie asked for permission, if she’d say yes. Mom says she’s not ready for that. But she trusts Becca. Becca’s mom asks Arie what works in relationships he admires. Arie talks about how his parents choose each other every day. Arie asks for her blessing. Mom says she will bless whatever choice Becca makes + is so glad he handled the family so well.

It’s Lauren’s turn. We’re in Virginia Beach + Lauren is wearing the cutest “fall-in-a-place-there-isn’t-fall” outfit: navy v-neck, light was destroyed jeans, flannel tied around her waist + sneakers. They ride horses on the beach + eventually end at a lighthouse where they watch the sunset from inside. I really feel like this date is not authentically Lauren the way Becca’s + Kendall’s dates were. Lauren is nervous about introducing Arie to her family. They toast with crab legs + hope for the best. Another bouquet of flowers + gift basket. They walk into their stately colonial home + there are hugs all around. There is some serious awkward silence here. He doesn’t know anyone in a military family + doesn’t golf. Not gaining any points with dad here. Mom (I think it’s mom?) asks when he’ll be ready to settle down. He says he’s beyond ready then steps out to wipe his face + talk to a producer. Why oh why do you keep walking out on Lauren? I don’t get it! Lauren’s aunt is very shocked how much they care about each other. Lauren asks if she’s comfortable giving her blessing + her aunt trusts her judgement. They talk about flying. Arie thanks him for his service + shares that he did a goodwill tour in 2008 so dad thanks him as well. Dad doesn’t worry about Lauren, she’ll make the choice. If Arie’s honest, it’ll all work out. BUT we also know he’ll “f*cking hill him” if Arie hurts her. Arie tells mom he’s falling in love with Lauren. Mom’s nervous about the fact that Arie still has feelings for other women. Mom is so skeptical + is not feeling this. Arie does ask for her blessing + she says she trusts Lauren + says she wants them to be sure it’s real. Mom’s asking Lauren how she’s feeling + while it’s nice to see Lauren so happy, mom does not seem to be buying this at all.

We’re back at the mansion + it’s time to say goodbye to one of these ladies. Becca is wearing a salmon one shoulder bodycon dress, Kendall is in a royal v-neck floor length dress, Tia is wearing a beautiful white + nude gown + Lauren is wearing a black illusion striped dress. They’re all stunning. Arie has no idea what he’s going to do. Just do like I do, Arie. Wing it like eyeliner. He tells the women this is the hardest decision he’s ever had to make in his life + is outwardly struggling. He asks for a second + walks off. Like do you know what you’re doing to these women? Do you know what you’re doing to me? Ugh Arie!!!!! Before Arie can make a decision, he pulls Kendall aside. The other women are panicking + so am I.

Arie needs to know if she can be ready to be engaged. She sees so much in him but doesn’t want to be engaged right now. She loves the way he makes her feel + that she can be open. She’s worked through so much but her sister said he doesn’t see safety with her. He just wants clarity. They return + Arie apologizes because he needs to get this right. It’s rose time. Becca accepts the first rose “1000 times yes.” Lauren accepts the second rose with a giggle + a “yeah.” Final rose time. Who gets it? I’m sick to my stomach. I love these women. I know, I don’t know them. Kendall accepts Arie’s final rose tonight. As Tia hugs her friends goodbye + looks so confused, you can tell Arie hated that decision. They walk out together + she doesn’t know what to say. She wonders what she’s done wrong + I honestly teared up. It kills me when a woman has been so broken she automatically goes here. Arie assures her she’s incredible but he sat up all night thinking about it + there was just something missing with them. Tia tells him to go with his heart with a little smile. But she’s devastated + I don’t blame her. She’s tired of not feeling good enough. I swear I just cried about this yesterday, girl. I feel this so much.

Sunday will be the best night of the season: Women Tell All! Then the finale. This could honestly go anywhere at this point. I’m not sure if I’ll blog Women Tell All. I tried to blog about Winter Games but it was too hard to keep up with while writing unfortunately. Check back here Sunday night or check my twitter @LifebyChellie for a quicker update! I’ll for sure be back Monday for the finale!

xo.