Bachelor Ben: Hometown Dates!

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?