Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple, stars of The Golden Bachelorette, are embracing the holiday season with heartfelt celebrations and a special nod to their journey. The couple, who got engaged last month during the show’s first season, shared sweet photos on Instagram as they decorated their first Christmas tree together. Highlighting their love story, one image featured a custom circular wooden ornament that read “The Golden Bachelorette” alongside a dress and tuxedo, with “Engaged 2024” inscribed beneath.
The couple, both 61, also showcased a display of stockings embroidered with the names of their children and Joan’s grandchildren. Joan, who shares four kids with her late husband John, and Chock, a father of two with his ex-wife Heather, are blending their families as they start new holiday traditions. Their Instagram post, shared on November 30, was accompanied by the caption, “Our first golden Christmas… ✨🎄,” and included a shoutout to Joan’s friend @kateslaytonlettering for the custom ornament.
Bachelor Nation fans were quick to express their love in the comments. Host Jesse Palmer said, “This makes me smile 😃,” while The Bachelorette alum Jonathon Johnson joked, “If I buy my own stocking can we toss it up there too? 🥹😂.”
Following their engagement, Joan and Chock have shared their plans to split time between New York City, Maryland, and Kansas. Joan shared with Us Weekly that they’re looking forward to their life together, even as they balance commitments in different states. “Chock has a business in Kansas. I have kids and grandkids in Maryland. I’m not leaving Maryland, but he does have obligations in Kansas,” Joan explained. “We’ll be spending time in both places, but we’ve also dreamed of living in a big city like New York, and now it’s happening.”
Joan also reflected on how their love has impacted her life, sharing, “I never in a million years thought I’d feel love like this again.” After losing her husband, she admits that the future felt uncertain, but now it feels full of possibilities. “Living life in your golden years is special. You’re not responsible for raising a family or a business. You get to enjoy life, and travel is important to us,” she said. “After John passed away, I felt like my future was this black hole. And now it just looks so bright. The possibilities are endless for us, which is a weird thing to say at this age, but I do feel that way.”
Joan and Chock’s first Christmas tree is just the beginning of their journey as they create new memories and embrace their golden years together.
