Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed “Empire State Of Mind,” celebrating the Big Apple, but The Golden Bachelorette’s Chock Chapple is all about his beloved Wichita, Kansas – he’s really embraced a “Sunflower State Of Mind.” Yes, Kansas is The Sunflower State, and Wichita’s one of the most appealing cities in the state. Chock’s bewitched with his hometown, and after some research, I’m starting to share his fascination.
If Joan decides to move to Wichita, as Chock’s reluctant to leave his hometown for very long, the Kansas locale might be a great backdrop for a diverting spin-off.
Chock and Joan have embraced a “three-city” lifestyle – they’re dividing their time between Wichita, Maryland, and New York City. Joan and Chock’s NYC love shack dreams haven’t come true yet, as they can’t find the ideal apartment, but they’re hunting for the perfect piece of real estate. Their ambitious plan to spend time in a trio of iconic American cities may be smart, adding a little variety – that’s the spice of life after all. However, it could add layers of complication that the mature couple just don’t need.
Chock’s So Content In Wichita
He’s Tired Of Traveling
Wichita’s a beautiful place, and one exciting local landmark is a dazzling sculpture, The Keeper Of The Plains. The stylized design looks gorgeous against the blue Kansas sky. However, it’s more than a striking work of art. It has a deeper meaning, referencing the city’s indigenous roots. The sculpture, created by Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin, embodies Wichita’s rich heritage.
It’s a city so inclusive that it’s home to Envision Arts Gallery and Community Engagement Center, where “the blind, visually-impaired and/or disabled” can touch objects featuring Braille dots. Other local attractions include Botanica: The Wichita Gardens and Old Cowtown Museum. I think Wichita sounds wonderful and maybe Joan would love it too, if she gave it a chance as her full-time home.
Since The Golden Bachelorette’s Chock Chapple owns a business, Insurance Services Group, that’s located in Wichita, he’s definitely an important member of the community. He also owns two homes in the city, one of which features an interesting outbuilding – a man cave made from a storage locker. It’s fancier than it sounds, with a glam mezzanine. It’s a place where he can kick back with buddies, watching football games on a big-screen TV while sipping whiskey or wine.
No wonder Chock can’t give this up! His Wichita kingdom is just too good to leave behind for very long. That’s why Joan may need to make the ultimate sacrifice, moving to Wichita full-time. Yes, it’s possible that they can make it work while sticking to the tri-city plan, but Chock, who’s said he’s tired of traveling, would probably be elated if Joan moved in with him in Wichita.
A Kansas Spin-Off Could Energize Bachelor Nation
The Fanbase Might Love It
See the Keeper Of The Plains sculpture above, via VisitWichita at Instagram. In the pic above, a happy couple enjoy a leisurely bike ride, and this type of “date” activity might be something that Chock and Joan could do while a camera crew followed them. While a spin-off definitely hasn’t been announced, maybe it’s something the network should think about doing.
They’re both in their 60s, and I’m concerned that the stress involved with constantly traveling to and fro will tear them apart. I’m rooting for these two. I find Chock sincere – I’ve got a good feeling about him. Yes, Pascal Ibgui thought he was too controlling, but Pascal actually hurt Joan more than Chock ever has. When I see Joan and Chock together offscreen, I feel like he’s really trying to make her happy. I feel like he really cares.
The fact that Chock wanted to sit close to Joan during a group bowling date doesn’t make him an Edward Cullen-style creeper, hovering over someone’s bed while they’re sleeping. Of course, it has to be said that many people think that sometimes-sparkly vampire is a romantic hero.
As for Joan, she’s been so honest about her life, including living with grief as she tries to move on. When she sat in her car on Thanksgiving, close to tears because it was her late husband’s birthday, I found it heartbreaking. Life can be so tough and Joan isn’t trying to pretend everything’s perfect.
I find Joan endearing – she’s smart, she tells the truth, and she can be funny when she isn’t sad. She’s always looking on the bright side, but isn’t afraid to get real about life’s darkness. When Joan lost John Vassos to cancer, it was traumatic. She lost a husband she loved with all her heart. Her openness about that pain, and the fact that she handles her problems bravely, with maturity, has really won me over.
Joan & Chock Have A Good Shot
However, No Relationship Is Perfect
Sometimes, I think she’s a little too hard on Chock. For example, Joan, whose history with Chock is shown above, once snapped at him when he was adding garlic cloves to a pork shoulder, believing he wasn’t doing it correctly, as per Chock’s Instagram. I felt she embarrassed him a bit as they were being filmed for social media. He seemed to be taken aback for a moment. No one likes to be corrected like that in front of a big audience.
If she focuses on making him feel good, especially when the world is watching, I feel she’ll be glad she did. He has a touch of humility that feels like grace. I like them both, and I don’t feel like they need a wedding. They just need to be happy.
I’ve been watching reality TV for years, and I’ve seen a lot of couples, and I feel that this match is truly strong. It actually stands out to me because the two “halves” seem like they’re really compatible. I feel like this could work, rather than just devolving into the usual messy breakup. To me, Chock’s got it together, and Joan’s a true lady. So, I hope The Golden Bachelorette stars do end up in Wichita, filming a spin-off that we can all enjoy.
