The finale of The Golden Bachelorette brought a new chapter of romance for Joan Vassos and her fiancé, Chock Chapple. After months of secrecy following their engagement on a Bora Bora beach, the couple is now ready to share their love with the world. Here’s how they plan to make their long-distance relationship work as they navigate life beyond the cameras.
A Private Love Story, Now for the World
Joan and Chock’s engagement wasn’t just a private moment on the beach—it was something they had to keep under wraps for months. Now that they’ve gone public with their relationship, Joan admits that keeping their love private actually helped strengthen their bond.
“It feels really good to finally share it,” she said in an interview. “We’ve been a secret for so long, just between the two of us. It was nice to be able to have that space before introducing the world to our relationship.”
Chock, who was smitten with Joan from the moment they met on the first night, recalls how their connection felt immediate. “It was like we had been a couple for years,” he said. The couple’s bond grew deeper throughout the season, and Joan knew early on that Chock was the one. She sent Guy home before he could meet her family, and the two began their secret meetups in between filming, giving them time to really get to know each other.
Living Like a Normal Couple
Despite the whirlwind nature of their televised love story, Joan and Chock are taking things slow. They’re looking forward to enjoying life as a normal couple, from spending time with each other’s friends and family to going on vacations together.
“We just want to live like a normal couple,” Joan said. “But there will be a wedding in the future. I see it happening in about a year or so.”
As for their long-distance relationship, the couple is embracing the challenge. Joan lives in Maryland, and Chock calls Kansas home. They also have big plans to find a place together in New York City, which both of them had always dreamed of living in.
“We’ve already got a meeting with a realtor,” Chock revealed, adding that he’s excited about the next steps. “I’m not worried about being away from the office. My team has everything covered.”
Making Long-Distance Work
Joan and Chock are both embracing the flexibility that comes with being older and without young children at home. They’re excited about the frequent travel between the East Coast and Kansas, especially with Chock’s direct flights from Wichita to D.C., where his brother lives.
“It’s not a problem at all,” Joan said. “We’re going to enjoy the travel and get those frequent flyer miles. I’ll be in Wichita for a fun event, and Chock will be in D.C. when something’s going on there. Then, when we want to spend time alone, we’ll be in New York.”
Chock, who owns an insurance business, is looking forward to splitting his time between his Kansas office, Joan’s home in Maryland, and the new life they’re building in New York. For now, their plans involve finding balance and enjoying each other’s company, while still making time for their individual lives.
As their relationship evolves, Joan and Chock are determined to make their long-distance love work. And while there’s no rush to walk down the aisle, they both see a future together filled with shared moments and adventures.
