The following contains spoilers from The Bachelorette season finale.
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“You are the one,” Kaitlyn Bristowe told Shawn Booth only several weeks into this season of The Bachelorette when there were still plenty of guys left, even before Nick Viall joined the show. And it turns out she was telling the truth.
After narrowing down 25 guys over the course of two months, the most controversial Bachelorette yet has chosen fan-favorite Shawn. In case you missed it, here’s a recap:
Kaitlyn gives Shawn the first impression rose earlier in the season
The two-hour finale consisted of a lot of worrying on the guys’ part—both men (Nick Viall, 34, and Shawn Booth, 28) admitted that they love Kaitlyn very much, but were unsure what the outcome would be.
While both meetings with the families went very well (plenty of tears and hugs were exchanged from both parties), it was Kaitlyn’s sister who said she preferred Shawn over Nick, saying that their chemistry together was more authentic.
On their last date, Nick presented Kaitlyn with a poem and a photograph of them on their first date, and Shawn presented Kaityn with a memory jar filled with photographs, notes, and other mementos from their past dates. Equally touched by both gifts, Kaitlyn admitted she was even more torn between the two, and dreaded having to break someone’s heart “who didn’t see it coming.”
“I’m in love with two guys, and two guys are in love with me,” she said. “This is hard.”
At the end, Kaitlyn stopped Nick before he could propose and told him that she is in love with someone else, but tried to reassure him that everything she felt in the past with him was real. However, Nick wasn’t buying it. “You don’t love me. If you felt the same way I feel, you would have a ring on your finger,” he said before making his leave.
Later, Shawn proposed with a beautiful diamond ring, Kaitlyn said yes, and the Internet rejoiced.
Following the season finale was the hour-long live “After the Final Rose” special, where Kaitlyn, Shawn, and Nick joined Chris Harrison and a live audience for a post-season chat. Long story short: Kaitlyn and Shawn gushed about how happy they felt (“Today feels like Christmas morning!” Kaitlyn beamed, close to tears) and Nick finally had a chance to talk with Kaitlyn and Shawn to clear the air.
“You guys couldn’t find a bigger couch than this?” Shawn joked when he was forced to sit next to Nick. Shawn later explained that he and Nick didn’t get along on the show because they were very different people, and he didn’t have a good feeling about him from the start.
However, Nick argued that they didn’t really get a chance to get to know each other, and felt that most of Shawn’s opinion of him came from his not-so-stellar reputation on the previous season of the Bachelorette. Although they didn’t hug it out, the two agreed that their behavior on the show, particularly towards the end, was immature and a waste of time.
Nick was also able to make peace with Kaitlyn, who explained her choice to him as best she could: she had a strong relationship with Nick, but it still wasn’t as strong as the one she had with Shawn.
At the end of the day, Nick admits that he is glad he came on the show to pursue a relationship with Kaitlyn, because otherwise he may have been wondering “what if?” for the rest of his life.
What’s next in the Bachelor saga? Tune into Bachelor in Paradise for even more drama, crying, and enormous eyelashes (yes, we’re looking at you, Ashley I.)
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BY MEGAN PORTORREAL
The Bachelorette Season Finale: Photographs courtesy of ABC
