Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple, the newly engaged couple from The Golden Bachelorette, are taking steps to merge their families, though it hasn’t been without its challenges. With six children between them and Joan’s additional grandchildren, bringing their families together has been no easy feat. The holidays provided a perfect opportunity for them to unite, as they spent Thanksgiving at Joan’s home in Maryland and celebrated Christmas in Chock’s hometown in Kansas.
Joan, 61, is no stranger to reality TV, having previously appeared on The Golden Bachelor before leading her own season of The Golden Bachelorette. Chock, 60, was one of the 24 contestants competing for Joan’s heart on the show, and they ended the season engaged. Since the finale, both Joan and Chock have been focused on bringing their large families together, using the holiday season to help make that transition smoother.
Blended Family Dynamics: Joan and Chock’s Children Meet
Joan’s family includes four children with her late husband, John Vassos: Nicholas, Allison, Luke, and Erica. Chock, who was previously married for 12 years, shares two children with his ex-wife, Taylor and Tyler. Joan and Chock’s children met each other during The Golden Bachelorette season 1, and their interaction seemed to go well. As a blended family, their holiday celebrations have been an important step in creating a harmonious environment.
However, not all of their children may be entirely on board with their relationship. Joan’s children, in particular, could have reservations, given how recently she and Chock started dating. After all, they only met in June 2024. Additionally, some of Joan’s children may feel protective of their late father and be concerned about the idea of him being “replaced.” Chock addressed this concern during The Golden Bachelorette season 1, reassuring Joan’s children that he wasn’t there to replace their father but to build a future alongside them.
Joan and Chock Open Up About the Struggles of Blending Families
Although their holiday gatherings appeared joyful, Joan and Chock candidly admitted that blending their families has been “a little harder right now.” In a recent Instagram clip, they discussed their relationship and the challenges they face in uniting their families. Though they didn’t go into specific details, their honesty about the difficulties of falling in love later in life, especially when it involves children and complicated family dynamics, resonated with fans. It’s clear that while their relationship has had its bumps, Joan and Chock are committed to making it work.
Since The Golden Bachelorette, both Joan and Chock have embraced their newfound fame, sharing milestones of their relationship on social media. Joan, a former private school administrator, and Chock, an insurance executive, have transitioned into lifestyle influencers. Joan has 178K followers on Instagram, while Chock has 74.7K. Their growing presence in the public eye is indicative of the couple’s journey beyond reality TV, as they continue to navigate life as a blended family.
A Joyful Christmas for the Vassos-Chapple Family
Christmas brought Joan and Chock’s families together, and despite any underlying tensions, their celebration seemed full of joy. The couple posted pictures of their festive gathering, including shots of the family in Christmas pajamas, looking happy and united. While the process of blending their families is ongoing, it’s clear that Joan and Chock are making progress. For now, the couple remains focused on creating a supportive and loving environment for their families, and the holidays marked a hopeful beginning for their future together.
