In a heartwarming finale of The Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos made a bold decision, opting to choose her future partner before the final rose ceremony, leading to an emotional rollercoaster of tears, love, and even a Disney World surprise.
The episode opened with Joan visibly upset over the sudden departure of Pascal, who left the show because he wasn’t in love with her. His exit left Joan questioning her worth, as she asked herself, “Will anyone ever love me again?” Feeling unlovable, she found comfort in a conversation with former Golden Bachelor contestant Nancy, who reassured her: “You’re not unlovable, Joan.”
As the show continued, emotions ran high with Joan’s remaining suitors, Guy Gansert and Chock Chapple, both opening their hearts to her. Gansert shared his own struggles, admitting that watching the breakup was “heartbreaking” for him, but he appreciated the chance to fall in love again. Meanwhile, Chock spoke of his own journey, revealing that his last proposal had been to his late wife, Kathy. “I never thought I’d have to do this again,” Chock confessed, expressing how special it was to find someone he wanted to spend his life with at this stage.
The show’s most emotional moment came when Chock proposed to Joan on a beachside setting, with Joan finally ready to express her feelings after holding back for so long. “I never in a million years thought I’d feel love like this again,” she said. “I finally got to say, I love you. It feels so good.” The couple’s engagement ended with a joyful FaceTime call to Joan’s mother, followed by a declaration to the camera, “We’re engaged!”
In the live After the Final Rose special, Joan and Chock, both beaming with happiness, expressed their gratitude for the journey they had shared. “You have to take action,” Joan said. “Take the leap of faith, go out and find your person. It makes your life so much better.”
Adding a magical touch to the night, ABC gifted the newly engaged couple and their families a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This was a nod to the couple’s first date at Disneyland, where they had expressed their wish to bring their families to the theme park one day. As host Jesse Palmer explained, finding love in their “golden years” was not just about the couple, but about blending their families and creating new memories together.
In a final preview, ABC teased the upcoming season of The Bachelor, set to feature Grant Ellis as the next lead. Several of the women vying for his heart in the new season described him as a prince, setting the stage for another season filled with romance, drama, and plenty of tears.
