The debut season of The Golden Bachelorette wrapped up on Wednesday night, revealing the conclusion of 61-year-old Joan Vassos’s journey to find love. After opening her heart to 24 eligible suitors, Bachelor Nation finally discovered how her search for romance in her golden years came to an end.
Joan also reflected on her late husband John, saying she felt fortunate to have had that love and questioning why she would “get to have it twice.” The 61-year-old school administrator entered the season finale facing a tough decision, choosing between Chock Chapple, an insurance executive, and Guy Gansert, an emergency room doctor.
Joan and Chock got engaged on the final of the Golden Bachelorette.
“I feel happy about my future now that it looks a lot brighter. Chock is the reason for all of this,” Joan said in a confessional interview.
Chock Chapple opened up about his past, sharing that the last time he proposed was to his late partner, Kathy. “I never thought I’d have to do this again,” he admitted, expressing how incredible it felt to meet someone he now wanted to spend the rest of his life with at this stage in his journey.
Joan and Chock shared a heartfelt, beachside proposal, where Joan, who had previously vowed not to say “I love you” until she was ready for a proposal, was finally able to express her feelings. “I never in a million years thought I’d feel love like this again,” she said, beaming. “I finally got to say, I love you. It feels so good.”
The couple’s engagement wrapped up with a joyful FaceTime call to Joan’s mother, followed by a cheerful shout to the camera, “We’re engaged!” During the After The Final Rose live special, the newly-engaged pair shared their happiness, hoping their love story would inspire others. “You have to take action. I’m saying take the leap of faith, go out and find your person,” she encouraged. “It just makes your life so much better.”
In a heartwarming callback to the couple’s first date at Disneyland, where they shared dreams of bringing their children and grandchildren to the theme park, the show gifted them a special trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for themselves and their families. Host Jesse Palmer reminded the couple that finding love in their “golden years” isn’t just about the two of them, but also about blending their families and creating new memories together.
Here are some of the fan reactions to Joan and Chock’s engagement.
“I thought chock giving her the key before the proposal was kind of manipulative.”
“Disney World with a large multigenerational family will really test the strength of that relationship”
“What a palate cleanser this season has been coming off of Jenn’s disaster”
“Hahaha you think Chock is gonna be down with double dates with your ex Joan?”
“I don’t know, this doesn’t feel like love, or ‘spending rest of life together’ energy. More like, “we can go to dinner and events and see how we get along” energy.”
“We know that Chock is OK with long engagements.”
“Yeah I can’t tell if he’s a lovebomber or just kinda awkward clingy ya know ?”
“Chock shouldn’t worry about her not saying it back. Joan seems like the person you text “love you” and she just thumbs-ups it back”
I’m actually a fan of Joan and Chock, love to see them happy. That being said, they’re simple and kind folks. I need a spicier lead and Pascal is who I am rooting for!”
“This feels a little anticlimactic. Happy for Joan though.”
“This reminds me so much when Devin was pushing Jenn to say I love you back – but Devin was worse.”
