It’s the night Bachelor Nation has been waiting for. After professing his love to two women, The Bachelor Ben Higgins has made his choice. Viewers were sure of only two things prior to The Bachelor finale: Either JoJo Fletcher or Lauren Bushnell would leave paradise broken-hearted, and the other would be happily engaged.
Ben, 27, told both JoJo and Lauren that he loved them prior to tonight’s finale. He had a difficult time making his decision, as both women have a place in his heart. JoJo, 24, is a real estate developer from Dallas, Texas, and Lauren is a 25-year old flight attendant from West Linn, Oregon. Both women are intelligent and kind-hearted, not to mention stunningly gorgeous.
Before viewers found out who Ben would choose, he had an on-screen meltdown. “How am I supposed to get down on one knee and propose to a woman,” he began, “when I’m in love with somebody else?”
The stakes are higher for Higgins than they have ever been for previous Bachelors. In a surprise twist, viewers found out that he had his pastor on standby; Ben was prepared to marry his future wife during The Bachelor: After the Final Rose post-engagement special. The announcement had fans on the edge of their seats. There’s a wedding, but who is the bride?
On the day of the proposal, Ben woke up in Jamaica. He felt “confused” and “conflicted,” knowing that both of the women would say “yes” to his proposal. Finally, he admitted to knowing which of the ladies he would be asking to become his wife.
Ben Higgins proposed to Lauren Bushnell on the finale of The Bachelor. Credit: ABC/Matt Dunn
Standing with the final rose, The Bachelor reflected by the water. JoJo was the first to step out of her personal helicopter. She gave Ben a heartfelt speech, telling him she loves and trusts him. Ben replied, telling JoJo he loves her, but quickly he told her that he loves someone else more. JoJo was “blindsided” as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. She hugged Ben before getting into the limo, clearly devastated. “I wish I could hate him or be really mad at him,” JoJo told viewers, “but I can’t.”
Before the proposal, Ben called Lauren’s father to ask him for his blessing. Her dad said “yes,” making Ben even more sure of his decision. The couple reminisced about their time together over the past several weeks. Then Ben gave Lauren the most romantic speech before getting down on one knee. “You’re my person,” the newly engaged couple told one another, and Ben gave Lauren the final rose.
Although Bachelor host Chris Harrison teased that Ben and Lauren’s wedding may take place on the After the Final Rose special, when presented the chance live on TV, Ben had to politely decline. “I think we both owe it to each other to do a wedding with our friends and our family,” he explained. He wants a big celebration with friends and family as a finale to the whirlwind Bachelor process.
In a surprise twist, Ben asked Lauren to stand up, and he asked her family to come to the stage. He got down on one knee during the romantic moment, saying ““Will you marry me once again?” Lauren said “yes,” and the families came together to offer their best wishes and blessings.
The Bachelor was jam-packed with surprises and drama; season 20 will be difficult to beat!
