This
week Ben visits the hometowns of his FOUR remaining girlfriends.
Let's DRINK everytime Ben says INCREDIBLE the rest of the season? Deal?
First Date: Laguna Beach with Amanda
Up First! I
do not like these shirts that are so popular this season. The flowy strapless shirt
that has puffy sleeves. I just don’t understand them. I feel like I need to
pull it up for her – perhaps add some straps. What is this?
Amanda
tells Ben that his daughters love being chased. Why is this? My one year old
son loves it too! It is his favorite thing!!
Amanda
and Ben hang out and she sees her daughters, Charlie and Kinsley, for the first
time in a few weeks and it is as sweet as you would expect – super super sweet.
Her daughters look precious in matching clothes.
Ben
looks like he painted on some shorts. Too tight sir! You are meeting the children.
They play on the beach and Ben seemed
really sweet with the girls. He chases them – and as expected they LOVE it.
After
the beach, Ben puts on some pants and they drive to Amanda’s parent’s house. Ben
tells Amanda’s dad that his granddaughters are….incredible. They keep describing
how the girls had a long day. They colored and ran down the beach with
streamers all day, etc. Now, we didn’t see these other activities but it sounds
like they made the girls miss their naps because they were too busy filming.
Poor babies.
I’m
left wondering if Amanda and her daughters live with her parents. The baby has
a nursery with a crib at their house.
Amanda’s
Dad basically tells Ben how hard it is to have kids. They are definitely not
sugar coating anything at this house! When he gets in the car to leave Ben says
to tell her family thank you, they were…..incredible.
Second Date: Portland with Lauren
Ben
and the only remaining Lauren go to eat at food trucks and Ben makes an embarrassing
flight attendant joke while they chow down. Next they visit a whisky library and
it seems like a great atmosphere. These two look really cute together. Lauren loves Ben and after he meets her family she is going to tell him.
When
it is time to meet her family you can just tell that Ben is excited! Lauren’s
parents have four kids – two boys and two girls. Lauren’s sister, Mollie, is
gorgeous! She asks Ben what he sees in Lauren and (eek) Ben tears up and can
only muster up that he feels really lucky. It is the sweetest. That’s all
Mollie (and America) needed to hear.
Next
Lauren has a sweet talk with her sisters and she says she thinks Ben is her
person. Adorable. The sisters hug it out and its perfect. Sisters are the best.
While talking to Lauren’s Dad Ben tells him that the first
time he saw her ‘the world stopped.’ I mean! That is a good thing to say! Lauren’s
Dad asks how he is coping with meeting four families and he says ‘Not well, it’s
tough.’ It felt honest and genuine.
Lauren
speaks with her Dad and she says that she is positive that her feelings for Ben
are real. He says Sweetie……and then warns her about the situation. But it’s the
way that he said sweetie. Like come back to earth, dear. You can tell that her Dad is
a skeptic! After
that conversation she says she can’t tell Ben she is in love with him. She
watches him drive away.
It was kind of like when Lauren and Ben tried to kiss in the mini plane....things just got in the way.
Third Date: Hudson, Ohio with Caila
Ben
tells us that his relationship with Caila is the deepest one he has and he is happy to see her. Coming off the date with Lauren, this one just does not
seem as intense. There isn’t the same excitement. I’m kind of ready to say bye
to Caila.
Caila
takes Ben to a cute bench swing and I immediately need one of these in my yard.
It was adorable. Anniversary present?
Since
Caila’s Dad is the CEO of a toy company they go visit the factory and create a
playhouse together. Ben picks her up and carries her out as all the factory
workers clap. It was beyond cheesy. You know the factory workers were exhausted
by Caila.
Caila
tells us that she knows Ben is the one. And I’m starting to feel worse for her.
Ben
meets Caila’s Dad, Mom, and little brother. Caila’s mom prepared a Filipino
meal for them and recommends they eat with their hands.
This
whole day sounds fun in theory – for my nephews. They would love to make their
own play house and eat with their hands. But us grown ups? I’m not so sure that sounds like a good time.
Caila’s
dad seems intense. He says he cannot imagine meeting 4 sets of parents. I
cannot either. Next, Ben talks to Caila’s mom. Yall, he looks exhausted and
like he is making phoning it in a little. He looks tired. Who can blame him??
Ben
tells us that she has hinted at being in love with him but he doesn’t really
know how she feels about him.
Caila
talks to her Dad and he asks her how she blocks out everything else and she
says she is just focusing on her time with Ben. She whispers, “Daddy, I know
this is it” while she starts crying. He tells her that there isn’t a rule book
to love and seems supportive. They seem to have a really sweet relationship.
Caila talks to her Mom and she encourages her to tell Ben that she is in love
with him and even says that she thinks Ben is in love with her too.
Caila
called her Dad “Daddy” and I was going to let it pass, but then she called her
Mom “Mommy” and that is where I draw the line. No. No. No.
Caila
tells us that she is ready to tell Ben that she loves him, but then she just doesn’t.
It was kind of like when Lace and Jubilee tried to high five.......it just didn't happen.
Fourth Date: Dallas with JoJo
JoJo
walks up on some flowers left at her front door and they came with a two page
letter. Signed CHAD. FINALLY! We find out that the ex really is a man. I still
don’t know why she uses these gender neutral pronouns. I’m wondering why she
didn’t notice his handwriting right away? No?
She is upset that he is trying to get her back now. She is visibly shaken saying she was so excited about the day. She is breaking down.
She says she was heartbroken after her last relationship and that she loved this person with everything she had. I’m thinking – Girl! Don’t let this ruin your current relationship! This is not a good look!
She calls up ole Chad and lets him have it. He says he cares so much about her and doesn’t want to lose her. Then he tells her if you’re done with me – tell me right now. She has to hang up to answer Ben at the door.
She is crying when she answers the door and sees Ben and he is understandably confused. She tells Ben that the flowers and letter were from her ex that has been having some realizations. Ben tells us that he feels uncomfortable with this because this has happened to him in the past and it didn’t end well for him. Red flag!
JoJo is clearly rattled. JoJo seems older than 24, right? Not in a bad way. She just seems more mature and experienced than 24. I mean two years out of college I know I wasn’t that together.
Next they just head right over to her parent’s house. What? No date in Dallas? No libraries to visit? No Tex Mex? No toys to build?
JoJo tells Ben that they will love him. Her parents have a BIG house! Now I might be a bit of a stalker because while researching if JoJo’s ex was in fact a MAN I read online that both her parents are doctors.
Like Lauren’s family there are four kids – two boys and two girls.
When they open the door her brothers ATTACK her! They do not give her a chance to introduce Ben.
Caila’s
mother is also exotic - I think I read she is Persian during my internet
stalking about the ex.
While
they are sitting down for dinner someone finally asks him where he sees himself
in the future and if he would move. Finally! I always wonder this on The BachelorAre they both willing to move???
Ben
talks to the brothers and basically they are both VERY protective of her. In her
last relationship someone rollercoasted over her an she cried about it a lot.
Ben says JoJo is INCREDIBLE and means a lot to him, but I noticed he did not
make any promises which does not sit well with the brothers.
JoJo
tells her Mom that she is falling in love and her sweet mother seems a little
confused. JoJo says she is scared and her Mother responds with “You are not
going to get hurt, you’re beautiful” huh??? What? She has already been hurt by
CHAD. JoJo tells her Mom that there are still three other girl involved and her
mom responds with the saddest “oh.”
These
scene made me laugh. out. loud. Did her Mom not know what was going on before
this day? Has she ever seen the Bachelor?
Ben
talks to her dad and he can barely stay awake. Can you imagine how exhausted he
is by meeting all these families?
When
JoJo talks to her brothers she says she can see herself falling in love with
him. They tell her to keep her heart guarded which really upsets her. The
oldest brother says that his read is that Ben is not as emotional invested as
she is.
Later, in
the kitchen the older brother confronts Ben while the younger brother stands
guard of the fridge. Doesn’t he look posted up??? The older brother says we all
have god given intuition and his says that he thinks Ben was coached on his
answers and isn’t as invested in JoJo.
Ben is clearly offended and explains to us that he is in fact not evil.
Yall.
While this confrontation is going on the Mom CHUGS. THE. CHAMPS. Straight from the
bottle. It is the best moment of the season!
Where
is JoJo during this conversation? Shouldn’t she be here?
After
the date Ben is a little more than confused.
I
note that during the hometowns –no one said I love you and no one straddled him
–
Schaeffer is going to be disappointed.
Rose Ceremony
This is what I noted during the rose ceremony:
1. JoJo
is dressed to KILL. She does have a rack, but I’m not thinking Ben is a boob
man.
2. Amanda
is in love and ready to accept a proposal, but has too much toner on her
face.
3. Caila
is so dreamy eyed, but looks like she has been crying.
4. Lauren
is in love with Ben, but her hair looks a little fried.
Ben
comes in breathing hard. He starts handing out roses and I realize we have not even seen
Harrison the entire episode. Was he on vacation?
First
rose: Lauren
Second
Rose: Caila
Finally Harrison walks in and says NINE words:
Lades, Ben, the final rose tonight. When you're ready.
Third
Rose: JoJo
Harrison comes back and says NINE more words and is OUT:
I'm sorry Amanda. Take a moment. Say your goodbyes.
Ben
walks her out and she literally says ‘It’s OK. Don’t be sorry.’ He tells her
that his feelings for others were stronger. He said he was impressed with her
with her daughters this week. Wishes nothing but great things for her. She says
she is going to miss him.
They
hug for a long time and then exchange multiple awkward Thank yous and thanks.
She
holds it together until she gets in the limo. She is worried she might not ever
find someone like that.
Ben
tells a cameraman (Because Harrison is already OUT) that ‘I would like her to
know that I care a lot. It means a lot that she trusts me enough to let me be
with her kids….man I can’t do this right now.’ while he starts to cry. Super sad and sweet.
You guys will always have McDonalds fries.
Next week they go to Jamaica and have some fantasy suite dates. Yay!
Who does Ben tell I love you to?
Will Harrison show up?
Will Harrison say more than eighteen words?
