The Bachelor | After Arie’s Final Rose

Okay guys. we are two hours away from being done with this terribly boring turned terribly heartbreaking season. I’m ready to leave it in the past like it’s 2017 + move on with The Bachelorette + Bachelor in Paradise. Let’s get one thing clear though before we start. I’m livid with Arie, but not because he broke up with someone. That’s life. It happens. I’m livid with Arie because what the heck was he thinking that morning in Peru? Did you flip a coin like Jordan (Bibi’s bae on Bachelor Winter Games from Bachelor New Zealand)? Why, if you weren’t 1000% sure, would you get down on one knee. Why would you make any decision at all because you were not, in fact, ready? He should not have broken Lauren’s heart if he wasn’t completely committed in his heart to Becca. He shouldn’t have embarrassed Becca by breaking up with her on TV, not saying sorry + not leaving when she told him six times to leave + gave him every nonverbal cue in the book that says “I want you to leave me alone.” I’m beyond livid at ABC for airing this personal, heartbreaking exchange. Cool, Arie was a stand up dude + called off the engagement in person. I can get behind that. But the fact that he was so…Arie about it + brought cameras. That did not need to be done on camera + did not need to be aired. I did not need to see that at all. But now that I’ve cleared that up, let’s get started so we can be done.

Chris Harrison had the nerve to ask if we got any sleep tonight. My best friend Kyra + I didn’t. Chris is taking us back to the scene of the crime + we have to watch their relationship unfold + unravel again. We’re watching Becca cry + be so confused. She wonders how she didn’t see this. Arie says it kills him to se her upset but I don’t see any remorse. He reached out to Jason Mesnik because he’s the closest one who’ll understand. He warns Arie that there will be serious backlash + people will say things that aren’t nice (uh, hi. Me all day.). Jason strongly cautions Arie NOT to do this unless he’s completely sure. But the next second we’re back in Virginia Beach + it’s like when Lillian had diarrhea in the street in Bridesmaids: “It’s happening.” Arie says he wants to marry Lauren. As Arie’s having a panic attack in Lauren’s driveway, Becca’s arriving home + looking through all of her memories with Arie. She feels like she’s been lied to this whole time but of course she fell for it just like I do every time.

Arie knocks on Lauren’s parents’ door like he means business, not that namby pamby knock he used on the bathroom door yesterday to see if Becca was okay after he RIPPED HER HEART OUT. Lauren thought he initially reached out just to get closure for himself so she was angry. He asks her for a second chance. She had no one when she came home that she could talk to. It killed her that he got engaged on the same day he let her go. She says this is the hardest breakup she’s ever gone through. She wonders if he had as strong of a relationship with Becca. He tells Lauren the doubt she showed on their Nazca Lines date really scared him in comparison to the confidence Becca had in their relationship. She wants to know why he asked Becca + he said he felt he was making a safe decision for his future. He let the logical side take over the emotional side. He said he was trying to make it work but asked Becca if he could call Lauren. When he heard Lauren’s voice, he knew that was it. He’s “1000% over Becca” + Lauren always hoped he’d come back for her but never expected it. Lauren forgives him + he asks her for a second chance. “Well you got me. Duh.” I mean that seems super fast. I don’t know if I’d ever go back after something like this, but that’s me. Lauren also says she hopes a proposal isn’t far off.

Chris has been joined on stage by Bekah, Caroline, Tia, Seinne + Kendal to weigh in on everything. In the words of Tia, “it’s not Lauren, it’s all Arie.” Bekah doesn’t think Arie is a genuine person, but in fact very manipulative. Caroline + Bekah agree with me, they should not have showed this last night. Kendall thinks we needed to see it to see how strong Becca was. Seinne also thought it was necessary because Arie already knew from Lauren he had a green light with her. If he didn’t have that, he may never have had the courage to leave Becca. Tia was with Lauren when Arie reached out to her. She of course still had feelings for him a month + a half later. In Arie’s interview, he says he didn’t know if Lauren would take him back but Tia throws him under the bus saying that was done after he had confirmation from her. Besides by the time he got to Lauren’s parents’ house, she greeted him with the biggest hug. Bekah hopes Lauren gets out as soon as possible. Seinne hopes he’s happy + never does anything that hurts someone the way he hurt Becca again. Her hopes aren’t high but that’s what she hope’s he’ll take away. Kendall, sweet Kendall, is cheering for them because as the kind soul she is, she just wants to see them happy. What do we hope for Becca? Another shot, that this has nothing to do for her. Becca is also concerned for Lauren as well. Bekah completely gets where Lauren is coming from because she hasn’t seen Arie’s lack of empathy + the way he just threw their relationship away. Thank you for bringing words to this, Bekah.

Becca’s here again + looking fierce as hell–the way anyone would want to look if they have the opportunity to see their ex + look fierce af. Becca said it was so hard to watch last night’s footage back, but it helped her gain closure. All of her feelings were raw + real but she did sign up to be on a TV show so she knew her life was going to be documented + this is just part of her story. Okay girl, I get that but it also felt so invasive so like wow. Apparently Arie told Becca right away that he’d told Lauren he loved her, too. But she didn’t find out that he’d reached out to Lauren until a week after + she, as a woman, was incredibly accommodating. She was willing to let him call his ex it was going to give her the closure he needed. They were making plans + looking at houses. I guess a week before they broke up, she found out that he’d reached out to Lauren + there were so many feelings still there. She says she’s doing well + is finding closure in the fact that she’s not the one. There has been so much love + support from Bachelor Nation for this woman that there are billboards up + people have contributed more than $6000 to Becca’s Venmo account (myself included) so she could buy herself a drink to get over this. She doesn’t think she can drink $6000 so she’ll likely donate it, but I’m fine with that. ABC plans to match her donation, which is great. She doesn’t necessarily want to see him but she’s okay with seeing him.

Arie comes out in another blue suit + says it’s good to see her. He knows it’s been hard + that this day would come. Becca’s filed with questions + her biggest question is “when did you know.” He said in his conversation with Lauren. He was filled with such gilt + such shame. He handled it the way he did because all the blame should be on him. She also wants to know why she hid the conversation from her. He didn’t want to be rash, but certain, before he came to her. She tied to be open with him but she wasn’t getting the honesty she deserved. She wants to know why he wasn’t honest. He said he felt an emptiness since Peru. There was nothing normal about this. (Cut to Kendall crying on Bekah’s shoulder) She didn’t think he went into the conversation with a clear head. She said there was a lack of respect for her. She thought he was closing a door, not opening one. She’s always going to love him but she’s moved on + is ready to move forward. Arie regrets proposing. “Why did you?” “The pressure.” She says he had a choice + he’s like yeah I messed up. He robbed her of the magic of one’s first proposal. He always told her he felt he made the right decision. He doesn’t think it ever went wrong, but that he was only one foot in. He said he never should have proposed. But I still haven’t heard an apology…oh wait. There it is. Eh. She accepts it + forgives him. She says you learn from these things + it adds to her story. She hopes that he’s happy, that Lauren’s the one, that he holds her heart high. She has no ill will. I love her for taking the high road. I don’t know that I could.

Jason + Molly are here. Molly wanted to know why Arie didn’t call them first. Jason’s first point of advice was that he should have done it privately, even though we’d all wonder. At the time Jason + Molly were going through this, all there was was magazine covers. They didn’t have to worry about social media. They also suggest Arie + Lauren go away for a while + leave the spotlight to focus on their relationship. Jason defends Arie’s character saying he is a good guy + that he really was just following his heart. He’s apologized so he should be able to get on with his life now. Okay, Jason. I get it. But I’m still mad that these women had to hurt like this. Molly says that all of the ugliness they had to fight through for their journey has made them the couple they are today.

Arie’s back. He said he didn’t watch the show last night because it was too hard. This was one experience + he now has to deal with the rest of his life. He was looking for his fairy tale ending + he’s still fighting for it. Lauren comes out + poor Bekah is sobbing. Lauren’s excited to be a couple. But of course we have to talk about how we get there. Arie reached out to her on NYE on Instagram because production wouldn’t give him her number. She wasn’t happy that he reached out but he was also curious. She asked if Becca knew he was reaching out because she wanted to be respectful to him. They both exchanged that they were having a difficult time so that opened the door for them. She said that he’s brave + respectful + she loves that. She absolutely trusts that this is for real. Arie reminds us that no love story is perfect + no one understands the gravity of this but his decision was worth it. To the haters, Arie has nothing to say. Lauren’s there, they have each other + that’s all that matters. They’re about to leave the country for vacation + then Lauren will move to Arizona. Arie says he made some bad decisions but the best one he made was running back to her. Bekah looks hella bored. Arie gets down on one knee + proposes. Yeah except you proposed to her a week + a half ago. If you read any spoilers, you know this.

We’re finally learning (but I’ve known for a week) that our Bachelorette is Becca + Bekah is loosing her ish! It’s so cute! I hope these ladies that were here for her tonight get to come back for her as she starts her season the way Rachel’s friends were here for her. Chris says that this is one of the best decisions ABC has ever made for Bachelorette. Becca found the decision to be Bachelorette was easy, too. She recognizes she has big shoes to fill but she wants to be the best damn Bachelorette she can be. Chris asks if she’s love at first sight person. She says she really isn’t. Chris invites her friends up so they can be excited for her. They hug + smush together  on the couch. “Guys, this is what you’re getting into.”–Chris. These women are so genuinely happy for her. This is like friend goals here. Soul Friends. Of course they’re bringing out guys for Becca to meet now a la Rachel’s season. They quickly set a scene as if she’s in front of the mansion. This isn’t new now. Here’s who we meet:

Lincoln in a bowtie. He says it’s his birthday + her being the Bachelorette is the best gift. He also applauds her for the grace she shows + that Arie is a wanker.
Chase wearing a plaid tie. He’s ecstatic. He says she deserves better + hopes he is that better.
Ryan comes in wearing a patterned suit jacket + playing a banjo singing an original song about her. So sweet.
Darius who is speechless. He formally apologizes on behalf of his gender. Dude thank you. He says he’s here for her, not the audience or friends.
Blake comes in with a horse named Bradley. He thinks she’s so brave + he respects it. He wants to be the man who helps her get back on the horse again + lifts her onto it. How freaking sweet?!

I can’t wait to see how this next chapter of Becca’s story unfolds. But my Bachelor blogs will be on hiatus until Memorial Day. Here’s hoping Lauren + Arie have a happy life + I wish Becca every happiness as she tries again to find love.

xo.