This week on The Golden Bachelorette, fans were left heartbroken as Mark shared a deeply emotional moment, casting doubt on whether he would make it to the highly anticipated Hometown Dates. Mark, one of Joan Vassos’ suitors, opened up about his grief over his late wife, Denise, and his uncertainty about his future on the show.
Mark’s emotional turmoil stems from feeling overlooked in recent episodes. Despite forming a connection with Joan, he expressed frustration about not being selected for a one-on-one date. During a heartfelt conversation, he reflected on his late wife and the profound impact her loss has had on him and his daughter, Bachelor alum Kelsey Anderson.
“You know, it’s hard. I lost Denise six and a half years ago, and it still affects me—deeply affects me,” Mark said, his voice trembling. He shared a touching memory about how his daughter finds comfort in signs from her late mother, such as butterflies. “Kelsey would see a butterfly that reminded her of her mom, and for Kelsey, that was the comfort.”
Mark also opened up about how these signs from his wife continue to provide him with solace. However, he admitted to feeling unsure about his place in Joan’s heart, saying, “I feel a connection to Joan, but I’m losing hope. I’ve looked really hard to see if I’m doing the right thing, and I’m not seeing that.”
Later, in a conversation with fellow contestant Pascal, Mark revealed another memory about his wife: “Denise and I had a hummingbird feeder, and she would sit with her hand open, and the hummingbird would land right there. Before she passed, Denise told me I needed to find someone to love. She said, ‘You need to give someone your love.’ I believe there are signs in the universe to help guide you.”
These tender moments resonated deeply with Golden Bachelorette fans, who took to social media to express their sorrow over Mark’s story. On X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers poured out their emotions.
One fan wrote, “Mark seeing signs from his wife. I hate seeing him so sad.” Another added, “Can we all give Mark a hug #TheGoldenBachelorette.” A third commented, “Because of Mark, I will now cry every time I see a hummingbird #TheGoldenBachelorette.”
A fourth viewer reflected on the moment Mark shared his belief that the hummingbird was a sign from his wife. They wrote, “Mark talking about how he saw a hummingbird and felt like it was his wife telling him he’s meant to be here with Joan #TheGoldenBachelorette.”
As Mark’s vulnerability touched the hearts of viewers, it remains to be seen whether his journey with Joan will continue to the Hometown Dates. His struggle to balance grief with hope for a new love has been a poignant storyline throughout the season, leaving fans rooting for him.
You can catch new episodes of The Golden Bachelorette on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
