Charity Lawson ended her “journey” to find “love” with the man of her dreams.
Every once in a while,The Bachelorettegives us a happy ending we can believe in.
(More on that later.)
Aaron and Charity on ‘The Bachelorette’.ABC
And Charity is so stressed out, she’s having acid reflux.
“I care so much about him,” says the Bachelorette.
“This is insane.
LOL.ABC
What are we gonna do?”
I dunno, send him home again?
Aaron says he would “love to stay,” and he seems genuine.
Charity sends Aaron home again.ABC
Even after she invites him to have dinner with her that night in her room.
And even after this:
As for that dinner, it goes fine.
Neither of them eats, of course (was there even any food?
Joey and Dotun.ABC
), but they have a pleasant conversation with plenty of smooches.
The look on Joey’s face is priceless.
Charity, you’ve got some explaining to do!
Aaron in the Thunderdome.ABC
And that’s just what the Bachelorette does.
“It’s also been a very eventful week,” she says.
“Aaron showed up in hopes of just continuing to fight…
Joey meets the Lawsons.ABC
I value and I cherish every single one of you all no matter what.”
Rose ceremony roll call!
Joey gets the first rose, and then… Did Charity just say Aaron’s name?
Random woman or new contestant on ‘The Bachelor’?.ABC
She sure did, rose lovers.
But it’s followed by, “Can you come with me?”
Yep, she’s taking him out to the Bye-Bye Bench to dump him for a second time.
Charity and Dotun.ABC
“I’m so grateful for this time that we had this week,” says the Bachelorette.
“Time wasn’t on our side in where we needed to be.”
I love Charity, but this is pretty annoying.
Vickie has thoughts.ABC
Once again, poor Aaron is devastated, but he remains gracious and polite.
“Charity, I’m always in your corner.”
Awwww, that’s very sweet.
Mia also has thoughts.ABC
Good luck out there, sir.
Ashis grandma said during their hometown date, these two are bonded from Heaven.
Look at this final two!
There is no such thing as privacy on this show.ABC
Well done, Ms. Lawson.
suit is waiting on the Hot Seat.
“I was thinking the whole time there, ‘What’s going to happen?'”
What will Charity do with this if she picks Dotun?.ABC
Neither are producers: They’re sending Aaron toBachelor in Paradise!
He seems a little too strait-laced for that beach, but whatever.
Joey’s up first, and he’s feeling confident.
Mmmm… s’mores.ABC
“I just have those feelings from the conversations we have.”
Who can blame him?
The Bachelorette is completely giddy around him, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by her family.
Neil Lane bauble No. 1.ABC
“I saw a connection in Charity and Joey when they sat down,” says Vickie.
Mia sits down with Joey first, and she wants to know what he and Charity have in common.
He says they both value family, which always seems like a cop-out answer to me, but whatever.
Neil Lane bauble No. 2.ABC
“I love it,” says Mia.
“It’s not a point of race.
For us, it’s about love, it’s about heart, and about her being protected.
Charity heads to the Proposal Platform.ABC
So, if you’re the right person, we have no problem with it.”
From there, Joey is off to have a one-on-one chat with Vickie.
“My feelings for Charity are very real,” he says.
Joey arrives at the proposal platform.ABC
Mom wants to know what Joey likes about her daughter.
“She makes me feel like I can be the best version of myself,” says Joey.
“Upon your arrival today, I just see you as a very genuine person,” says Vickie.
Next stop, Bachelor.ABC
“That makes me a little bit at ease as well.”
Okay, that’s two “genuines” one from mom and one from sis.
But mom is feeling good about the day.
Charity and Joey.ABC
“Joey fits in with our family just fine,” says Vickie.
“I think Joey could be the one.”
Hold up, mama!
Dotun and Charity.ABC
There’s still one more man to meet, and he’s a keeper, too.
This is Leia, a lovely 23-year-old from O’ahu, Hawaii, who now lives in Los Angeles.
Vickie, for one, is trying to keep an open mind.
OMFGILHSM.ABC
“But it could be changed.”
“I’m a ruthlessly introspective person and I check in with myself every day,” he continues.
“I look for the holes in myself, and I haven’t found any.
Dotun and Charity.ABC
And that is why I have so much trust and confidence in my relationship with Charity.”
That might be why mom is still leaning toward the tennis pro.
And she says as much to her daughter.
Jesse Palmer and Annie.ABC
“This is not something that necessarily sits well with me,” says Charity.
“My mind is really going a million places.”
Maybe Mia will be able to give Charity the guidance that she needs?
Charity and Dotun.ABC
“Joey makes you glow,” says Mia.
“I can see you have more PDA with him.
But you laugh a lot with Dotun, real hard.”
Grocery Joe dies a little bit inside.ABC
This really throws Charity for a loop.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” she says.
Does this mean she was leaning toward Dotun and was hoping her family would reinforce that choice?
Jesse Palmer, Leia, and Joey.ABC
“I just have to get to know him a little bit better for myself,” says Mia.
“But I can see it.”
Sorry, Charity, but you are just going to have to make this choice on your own.
And girl, you’re in a win-win situation here.
Anyhow, after Dotun leaves, Charity goes back in to push her family for answers.
“I’m literally a car stuck in mud.
My wheels are turning,” she frets.
“I need someone to come give me a nice gentle push.”
Unfortunately for our Bachelorette, her family is understandably not willing to free her from this emotional mud pit.
“Either one would make a great, great, great choice,” says Vickie.
“However, you have to make the decision.”
“We are going to support you in any decision you make,” says David.
But that’s cold comfort for Charity, who is truly flailing.
“When I leave you guys, I’m on my own,” she sobs.
“Mom, can you just share, like, just more thoughts?”
Short answer: No.
“I don’t want to say names,” insists Vicki.
Charity pulls her outside, thinking maybe mom will be more forthcoming without cameras in her face.
“But you’ve got to make that decision,” Vickie continues.
“Charity, you have to say it.”
It’s tough for the Bachelorette to hear, but Vickie speaks the truth.
Her daughter is an adult, and this decision is too important to let someone else influence it.
Time to put your big-girl panties on and choose a husband, Miss Lawson.
But first: The last-chance dates!
Once again, Joey goes first.
He and Charity pop some champagne and talk about how well his visit with her family went.
Joey got it framed.
Awwww, that’s actually very thoughtful.
It’s certainly better than buying a picture frame in the resort gift shop.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“I feel so good.
I got all that I needed.”
Does this mean it’s over for Dotun?
Rachel Recchia, Hannah Brown, and Katie Thurston are on the beach!
Samantha from Zach’s season learns she’s expecting a “poop baby”!
And the introduction of something called the Paradise Truth Box!
Complete (and completely sleazy) chaos.
Watch the preview here:
Now, back to Dotun and Charity.
Yes, it’s a keepsake trip down memory lane.
The final gift is a silver locket containing a baby photo of each of them.
Oh man, that’s adorable.
“The feeling he gives me is indescribable,” says Charity.
“But… my love for Joey is a love that is strong.”
In this moment, on the eve of proposals, Charity is overwhelmed and completely confused.
“I’m actually kind of surprised,” he says.
“Yeah, kinda scary.”
Welp, rose lovers, it’s all over but the crying.
Oh, and the Neil Lane product placement, of course.
“I’m emotional right now,” she tells the host.
“It’s been tough.”
Still, Charity finally knows who she needs to send home.
“He deserves so much,” she says.
“But I have to let him go.”
And the unlucky fella is…
Awww, man.
He has no idea what’s about to hit him.
Oof, what a punch in the gut.
And yet, Joey keeps smiling, trying to stay composed while Charity lets him down gently.
“I never doubted, never questioned how deep our love is,” she says.
“Can I give you a hug?”
“My love for you is truly never going to go away,” says the Bachelorette.
“I want your happiness.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he says, finally letting a tear roll down his cheek.
“I’ll always have love for you, Charity.”
With that, he climbs into the Reject Van.
Of course, you know what happens next.
“It’s raw, you know.
That’s the first time I’ve ever seen it,” he says.
“Truthfully, I blacked out during that time.
I don’t even remember a lot of that.
It’s something that you never think you’re going to go to go through.”
“It was not an easy decision by any means,” she admits.
“I was constantly going back and forth leading up to those hours… Man, are these two having the smoothest TV break-up ever?
Okay, Dotun you’re up!
“You have been able to make me feel so incredibly special,” says Dotun.
“You have made me feel adored and validated and wanted.
But I’m certain that I want to spend the rest of my life showing you.”
The smile that broke out on Dotun’s face in this moment just melted my heart.
“You’ve made me believe in love again,” adds the Bachelorette.
“I want a forever future with you.”
Okay, big guy, start lowering yourself to the ground.
It’s your time to shine!
He gets down on one knee.
“Miss Charity Lawson, will you marry me?”
Rose lovers, you know she says yes.
She wraps him in her arms, sobbing.
“I love you so much!”
Look at how adorable these two are.
You guys, I kind of think they might really make it work.
What has this season done to my cynical, hollowed-out husk of a heart?
How will I bang out the rest of this recap through my ridiculously happy tears?
Well, being on the show would fulfill the “hopeless” part, at least.
“We’ve wanted everyone to see our love.”
“That’s a weird mix of feelings to feel.”
Sweet boy, don’t you know this show specializes in producing weird feelings?
As for Charity’s family, they’re sitting in the audience and seem pleased with her choice.
“I’m happy, I’m very happy for them,” says mama Vickie.
Thank goodness we didn’t have to endure anotherBarb-Madison situation.)
Oh, but the host isn’t done with the surprises yet.
At long, long, long last, it’s time to meet our new Bachelor…Joey Graziadei!
“You have to take some time to get a little bit of closure.
Watching Dotun and Charity’s connection was enough for me,” explains Joey.
“It was nice to be able to see someone so special be with her.”
The experience, he adds, “opened up a part of me that wanted something so bad.”
Well, Joey, the first woman to take that advice is sitting in the audience RIGHT NOW.
It’s finally time to reveal which woman will be heading to the mansion forThe Bachelorseason 28.
And the “winner” is… Leia from Hawaii!
Plus, she’s homesick for Hawaii and he lives in Hawaii!
It’s a match made in TV heaven, right?
Did you think Palmer was done with the surprises?
Don’t be silly.
That’s right, Leia!
Next season onThe Bachelor, they’re doing Fantasy Suites in the first round!
Just kidding, rose lovers.
No idea what’s in this envelope Palmer just handed Leia.
Welp, rose lovers, we made it.
Are you happy Charity chose Dotun?
Will you be watching her onDancing With the Stars?
And are you already traumatized by hearing the phrase “poop baby” in theParadisepreview?
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter@KristenGBaldwin.
And as always, thanks for taking this “journey” with me!
