‐ Tonight on "The Bachelor"...
‐ Hi!
‐ Oh‐ho‐ho‐ho! ‐ [squeals]
‐ Today is my Hometown date.
both: Hi. ‐ This week is everything.
‐ I'm really looking forward to Matt meeting my family.
It's a really, really big step.
‐ Hi, Mom.
My family's opinion means a lot.
‐ I'm nervous.
You only get one first impression.
‐ I would think you guys would want to give yourself
a little bit more time.
What's the rush?
‐ I haven't told him how I feel about him.
‐ You have to protect yourself.
‐ To me, you don't seem smitten.
‐ [crying]
‐ I have these moments where it is terrifying.
‐ Does it seem too fast for you?
‐ Is she really, truly ready?
[buzzer blares]
[dramatic music]
‐ You have to take that leap of faith.
♪ ♪
‐ Rachael!
♪ ♪
[birds chirping]
[soft upbeat music]
♪ ♪
[grunting quietly]
♪ ♪
This week is extremely important
because it's Hometown week.
I'm gonna be meeting a lot of families,
and the fact that their families are here
to meet me and to spend time with their daughter,
how can you not be excited about that?
♪ ♪
But as excited as I am
to talk and meet with their families,
I'm nervous.
I hope that these conversations
and these interactions with the family
go well today.
You only get one first impression,
and if your family's not on board,
I've seen how that can really divide
family and relationships,
and that's the last thing I want to do.
I want this to work because that's one step closer
to me getting down on one knee and being engaged.
[sighs]
[birds chirping]
‐ Hi.
‐ Good morning. ‐ Good morning.
‐ Wow. ‐ How are you?
‐ [chuckles] ‐ I'm good.
This week is Hometowns,
and it's personal, and it's about family.
There's a huge shift in this journey right now.
Everything that leads up to Hometowns
and everything that happens after.
‐ This week is everything.
It really is.
My family means everything to me,
and I just can't wait
to show them how happy I am with him
and how serious I am about Matt and I
potentially starting that life together.
‐ These are still extraordinary times,
and so we're not going back to Georgia,
Minnesota, Toronto, or California,
and, to that end, we have already brought in
the people that mean the most to you.
‐ [quietly] Oh, my God.
[laughs]
My family is what grounds me.
I feel my most self
whenever I'm at home with my family
because they know me better than anyone,
so it's a really, really big step.
‐ So let me tell you who's here for each of you.
Serena.
Your mom, your dad, and Talia, your sister.
‐ So excited!
[laughter]
‐ Rach.
Your mom, your dad,
and your sister, Trinity, are all here.
‐ I'm so excited. Oh, my gosh.
I didn't think my sister was gonna be able to be here.
‐ Michelle. Your mom and dad are here.
‐ [softly] Whew.
♪ ♪
‐ Bri.
Your best friend, Bri, is here,
and your mom...
‐ [sniffs] Kay, I don't know why...
‐ And your baby sister...
‐ [laughing] ‐ Oh, Bri.
‐ Are all here.
‐ [crying]
I just‐‐it means a lot to me.
♪ ♪
‐ I'm happy for all of you.
I'm happy that your people are here.
And I know, by the way,
it means the world to Matt that each of you
are going to do this with him
and that they have flown in to meet him.
So, Michelle, your date is actually today.
So why don't you go get ready?
And I'll see you all at the next Rose Ceremony.
All right, ladies. ‐ Thanks, Chris.
‐ Have a good one. ‐ You too.
‐ Bye. ‐ I'm so happy.
It's my Hometown day.
I have such a big smile on my face.
‐ It's a big day.
‐ When I'm around Matt, I feel 100% myself,
and I think all my feelings are very much there,
but that last piece is my family,
and I get to bring that into the picture today.
[animals bleating]
We are not in Minnesota,
but I'm looking forward to bringing
little pieces of Minnesota to Nemacolin,
and I hope that Matt
gets to see a different side of me.
I have a lot of fun things planned for Matt today.
Hi. ‐ Hi.
‐ How are you doing?
Mm!
‐ [grunts] ‐ [kissing]
‐ [chuckles]
‐ Hi.
I like your shirt.
‐ Literally, are we wearing the same color?
[both laughing]
What in the world?
Okay, well,
I have a very special day planned for you.
‐ Okay.
‐ So in Minnesota, growing up...
‐ Yeah?
‐ My family went on a ton
of, like, evening bike rides.
‐ All right.
‐ What better way to start out our day
than a little bike ride? ‐ I like that.
[bike bell rings]
‐ I'm very excited to spend this time with Michelle today
because Michelle was one of five women
who were added to this journey three weeks into the process,
and we hit it off.
We had a great connection,
and our attraction for one another is undeniable.
‐ Hey! Look at that.
‐ But I'm nervous, to be honest with you.
Knowing that I am meeting her family tonight,
I want to put my best foot forward,
because I can see a life outside of this with her.
‐ So, like, do you picture yourself being
like dads biking on those double bikes?
‐ I feel like that would be, like,
my perfect life... ‐ Yeah!
‐ But I see‐‐in reality, I see, like, my kids
just, like, rippin' past me and, like,
trying to, like, kick me off my bike and stuff,
and I'm like, "Okay." ‐ [laughing]
‐ That's what I have coming to me.
I know it.
‐ I have a very fun day in store for Matt.
We're right here.
We're gonna get a little inside look
at my life and what's close to my heart.
‐ [laughs]
‐ Matt has put me through a lot,
so this is, like, my turn to now put him in the hot seat.
You ready to go? ‐ You gonna take it easy on me?
‐ Matt, I hope you're ready, because class is in session.
[school bell rings]
‐ Aww.
[laughs]
[overlapping chatter]
‐ Oh, my gosh!
[children cheering]
[gentle music]
Oh, my gosh.
Hi! How are you guys?
‐ Good. ‐ Good.
‐ [chuckles] Okay.
So... ‐ [chuckles]
‐ These are some of my students,
and this is Mr. James.
‐ Hi. ‐ Hi.
‐ Mr. James. ‐ [laughs]
What's up, guys?
‐ Is that your boyfriend?
[both laughing]
‐ Man, this is incredible.
The fact that Michelle had all of her students
with us virtually was‐‐
I felt like I was in her classroom.
‐ So I hear that you have some questions...
‐ [laughing]
‐ That you need to ask Mr. James.
Is that right? ‐ Yes.
‐ Yes. Yes. ‐ Yeah.
‐ Okay, Evie.
‐ I've learned so much from Ms. Young.
What's one thing Ms. Young taught you?
‐ Ooh, that's a great question.
The biggest lesson that Ms. Young's taught me
is to be open‐minded.
‐ Thank you, Evie.
Jill.
‐ Are you going to give Ms. Young a rose?
‐ We'll have to wait and see what happens.
‐ [laughing] Oh!
Evan, what's your question?
‐ Have you guys kissed yet?
‐ Oh, no. ‐ [laughing]
Evan coming in hot!
Ev‐‐we‐‐Evan, we are‐‐
this is where we're at in our relationship right now.
We're‐‐we're holding hands.
That's how you‐‐that's how you can really tell
you like somebody: you start to hold hands with 'em.
I'm loving the questions from these kids.
‐ How many girlfriends do you have?
‐ [laughing]
I've got one right here. Ms. Young.
These kids are grilling me.
‐ Are you going to have babies?
‐ [laughing]
Kelsey, that's a great question,
and, yeah, I do want kids.
A lot of 'em. ‐ [laughs]
‐ They're asking me super tough questions there.
They're asking things that‐‐
they're asking hard questions.
‐ Are you going to marry her?
‐ We're in the process of figuring that out,
and I can't give you a definitive answer yet,
but, Tyler, I will Zoom call you when I know.
‐ [laughs]
‐ Thank you. ‐ Absolutely.
‐ All right.
Elise, you're up next. ‐ Hi.
My teacher Ms. Young wrote me this note, and it reads,
"Elise, you can do anything when you put your mind to it.
"Remember this when you're taking your test today.
"You've got this, and I believe in you.
Sincerely, Ms. Young." ‐ Mm.
‐ And it inspires me every day,
so how will you inspire Ms. Young?
‐ Thank you for sharing that message with me.
That's awesome.
I'm gonna inspire Ms. Young
by being her biggest champion.
‐ I love the question. Thank you.
All right, thank you so much for being a part of this.
I'm so happy that you were able to meet Mr. James.
Give me, like, one thumbs‐up, two thumbs up,
how you feel about this man.
Hey. ‐ [laughing]
‐ You got all two thumbs up.
That's amazing. ‐ Hey.
It's incredible to see the special relationship
that Michelle has with her students.
‐ Bye. ‐ Nice to meet you.
‐ The more time I spend with Michelle,
I see everything that I'm looking for.
That was incredible.
I'm meeting her family tonight,
and I'm looking forward to meeting 'em,
because I want them to see that this is real
and that it can work,
but ultimately,
that I would like their approval.
Seeing you in your element today was incredible
because I know how much those students mean to you
and how passionate you are about your work,
and I saw, not only on your face,
but on your students' face,
how much you've impacted their lives
and how much you mean to 'em.
What was it like seeing them again?
‐ Super emotional.
I love it. [laughs]
‐ How‐‐how important to you is it
that someone who you're with
is, like, on that level with you on‐‐
in terms of, like,
how passionate you are about your kids?
‐ Um, incredibly important.
I think that's probably been, like,
the missing factor... ‐ Right.
‐ And, honestly, like, moving into Hometown visits tonight,
my parents were hesitant, at first,
like, for me to put everything on pause,
and when they asked me, "Why? What is your reasoning?"
you were completely my reason why.
‐ Thank you. That means a lot.
‐ [chuckles]
‐ And I know how much your family needs you,
so I just want to be on my best behavior, you know?
Like, I just want to be, like‐‐
like, it's like, the first time you meet somebody,
you only get that one time, you know?
‐ Just show them what you've shown me.
That's it. Like, that's the great thing,
because that's what I'm falling for,
so I know that they are‐‐ they would too.
‐ Okay.
‐ I'm excited for you to meet them.
‐ Me too.
[romantic music]
♪ ♪
‐ It's been a really good day.
It went even better than I could've ever imagined.
I'm falling in love with Matt,
and I think my family‐‐
they are gonna have no problem falling in love with him, too,
but tonight, if they, for some reason,
said, "No, we don't like Matt,"
it would be really hard for me
to move forward with our relationship.
♪ ♪
[crickets chirping]
[soft music]
‐ This is so crazy.
I have not seen them in so long.
‐ [laughs]
Tonight I'm meeting Michelle's parents,
and I'm nervous because, after tonight,
Michelle and I's relationship could change forever,
so I hope that her parents
are open to me being a part of their family.
We'll see how that goes.
‐ Are you ready? ‐ I am.
‐ Just be yourself. ‐ Yeah.
‐ Like, I love what I see,
and you've stayed true to yourself
this whole process, and I know
that they're gonna see what I see too.
Ready?
♪ ♪
‐ Oh, my God. ‐ Oh, my God. Yeah.
‐ Okay, okay. ‐ [laughs, gasps]
Hi, Mom.
I'm really excited that I get to see my family again.
It's been so long.
Hi, Mom. ‐ Hi, Chelle.
‐ Mom...[laughs] This is Matt.
Matt, this is my mom, LaVonne. ‐ Matt.
‐ Hi. ‐ Oh, it's so nice...
‐ My family's opinion means a lot,
and I hope that getting to meet Matt himself,
getting to see us together,
they will be 100% supportive.
[sighs] Well, what do you wanna know?
both: Here we are. ‐ I wanna know it all.
I wanna know it all. ‐ Yeah. Yeah.
‐ So... ‐ So tell me.
‐ I was a late arrival... ‐ Oh, wow.
‐ And so there already had been two Rose Ceremonies,
and I‐‐when I walked in, I didn't actually know
I was walking into a Rose Ceremony yet.
I'll let you tell that part. ‐ Yeah.
So I was so caught off‐guard by, like,
the way I felt about Michelle after our initial conversation
that, the next day, I requested a one‐on‐one.
I'm like, I need to... ‐ Aww.
‐ My mom's starting to cry. ‐ Yeah, I know.
No, I'm just looking to see how he's looking at you.
[laughter] I'm analyzing you.
‐ Stop. [laughter]
‐ Michelle looks really happy
and back to her old, playful, smiling self.
Michelle, should we go have a chat?
‐ Yes.
‐ She's had a couple of relationships in the past
that were not so good, you know,
and so the concern I have
is that he could be in love with multiple people.
As soon as you walked in the room,
we could tell you were happy, so...
[both laughing]
You know, it was written all over your face.
So what are the qualities
that you like about him so much?
I mean, I guess I... ‐ Hmm.
‐ [laughing] ‐ Let me get out my list.
‐ [laughing] Yeah, get your list, hon.
‐ Um, he wants to make a difference.
He's creating these, like,
hydroponic gardens for inner‐city kids
so that they can learn how to grow their own food,
and that is just, like, such a big thing
that I'm looking for.
There‐‐you know? ‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ People are all talk, but they don't actually...
‐ Do anything? ‐ Do it.
‐ I mean, he seems like a nice guy.
I mean, the concern I have
is there are these other women, you know?
‐ Yeah. ‐ If he doesn't pick you,
you know, it's gonna be a‐‐a big letdown.
If he were to propose now, would you say yes?
Would you? You would. Kay.
Uh, it just all depends on, you know,
where he's at with you, you know?
‐ Mm‐hmm.
I just know that... ‐ Mm?
‐ Um, you and Mom
obviously saw me in a really hard place.
[gentle music]
‐ Yeah.
A year ago‐‐two years ago.
Yeah.
♪ ♪
Yeah.
But you've bounced back.
You're‐‐you're doing‐‐you know?
♪ ♪
‐ You guys were just, like, the people who picked me up
after that and during that. ‐ Yeah.
That's our job, is to be there when things get tough.
‐ Yeah. ‐ We want to protect you
from anything that could potentially hurt you.
I asked her, if he would propose,
would she say yes?
And she said, "Yes, I would,"
which was a surprise to me,
and so going into my conversation with Matt,
I hope to see if they are at the same stage,
uh, in this relationship.
One of the first things I wanted to get from you is,
what are the characteristics that you see in her
that, you know, differentiate her from the other...
‐ Right. ‐ Women?
‐ Michelle tells me how it is,
and she has strong convictions in what she believes
and what she's here for and what she stands for.
Just the way that she carries herself,
the things that are important to her,
the things that she wants to accomplish in life‐‐
they're aligned with a lot of my life experiences
and what I want to accomplish.
‐ Mm‐kay.
So are you in love with her or not?
I mean, that's...
‐ So, um, I haven't told her that yet,
and, um, it's not something
that I would share with her until I meant it,
and I am falling for your daughter.
‐ Okay.
‐ So how do you see this after...
‐ Right. ‐ The spotlight's gone?
You're now in real life. ‐ Right.
There's nothing I wouldn't do for someone that I love
and someone that I see myself building a life with,
and if that means me moving to Minnesota,
then that means me moving to Minnesota.
I'm open to that conversation.
I'm open to what comes with being with your daughter
because, with that feeling that I have for her,
there's nothing I wouldn't do
that would keep me from being with her.
‐ Okay. Okay.
We trust her decision‐making process,
and we will respect,
you know,
Michelle's, you know, choice,
so whatever she decides to do, you know?
‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ And we'll be supportive
in whatever way we possibly can.
‐ Thank you... ‐ You're welcome.
‐ For that. ‐ You're welcome.
‐ I really appreciate it. ‐ Okay.
‐ [sighs] I really like him a lot, Mom.
‐ Do you?
[groans softly]
So you think he would be the one?
Wow.
Aww. ‐ I know.
‐ Aww, I know. Come here.
[chuckles] Come here.
Wow.
Who would've ever thought?
‐ I just don't know. I just...
‐ Does it seem too fast for you, or is it‐‐
‐ No, which doesn't make sense, either,
because I'm, like, a "Let's take things slow"...
‐ Right. Right. ‐ Kind of person.
‐ Very practical. Yes.
‐ Yeah, but, like, I don't know.
‐ Do you feel like he's getting there,
or where do you think‐‐okay.
‐ Yeah, and it's‐‐
‐ I know he's got other people here still, but...
‐ Right, and there's, like, that piece,
but if I didn't feel like it was being reciprocated,
I wouldn't still be here. ‐ Right. Yeah.
Do you see Dad at all in him in how‐‐
you know how wonderful your father treats me
and puts me first, no matter what.
‐ He is the‐‐ ‐ Do you feel like
he would be that person for you?
Really?
[both laugh]
‐ And I've never felt like that before.
‐ I just want you to be happy, so if‐‐
if he makes you happy‐‐ and I can see he does already‐‐
we'll love him, and he'll be part of our family.
‐ Seeing my mom and dad felt so incredible.
The fact that they said,
"We are going to support you"...
[sighs] That was such a good feeling
because they realize that I'm all‐in,
and so the Young family is all‐in too.
‐ [laughing] ‐ Goes in.
‐ Throwing it.
‐ Hello. ‐ Two!
‐ Ooh. ‐ Yeah! There we go.
‐ Whoo!
Seeing him fit in so seamlessly
makes me really excited to think about
what having Matt be a part of my family would look like.
‐ Oh! ‐ Good job, team.
‐ Yay!
‐ And so I do not want him to leave here tonight
without me really telling him how I feel.
‐ Seeing and being able to talk to your mom and dad,
like, I get a lot of why you are the way you are.
[both laughing]
‐ Should I be scared? ‐ No.
It's all good things, you know?
I mean, I'm very happy about us
just 'cause I know how important it is
to have your family on board.
‐ I really do feel like you were able
to kind of get this, like, sped‐up glimpse
of my parents and, like,
their love that they have for each other,
and that's something that I'm truly looking for.
I connect with you in a way
that I've never connected with anyone before,
and so I do want you to know that, like,
after you meeting my family, um,
I knew that it was gonna take my emotions
to a whole different level, and I was ready for that,
um, and I can say that I...
am falling in love with you, Matt.
And that makes me so excited, and it's so scary,
but it's so genuine, and it's so real.
[romantic music]
♪ ♪
To be able to tell Matt
that I was falling in love with him,
and then to get that
positive smile from him,
it felt so good.
[sighs] I do not want to say goodbye.
♪ ♪
This is a new feeling to me,
and I don't think it's a feeling that's going away.
I know it's not gonna be going away.
♪ ♪
Good night.
♪ ♪
[engine starts]
When Matt and I
walk away from this experience hand in hand,
life will be so full.
♪ ♪
‐ Oh, my God.
[dramatic music]
‐ This is the ultimate trust fall.
♪ ♪
‐ Oh, [bleep].
‐ Rachael!
[birds chirping]
[light music]
[engine thrumming]
‐ Today's my Hometown,
and my family means the world to me,
so it's a really big deal that Matt gets to meet them
and that they get to meet Matt.
♪ ♪
The other week, I told him
that I was falling in love with him,
and he told me that he felt the same way.
Hi! [laughs]
‐ [laughing]
‐ My family might think I'm crazy.
Like, they are definitely gonna be shocked
at how strong my feelings are,
but, you know, I want their support more than anything...
How are you?
So I just can't wait
to show them how serious I am about this
and our future together.
Today is a really big day for so many different reasons.
You know, you get to meet my family tonight,
but, before all that,
I've told you that communication and honesty
and trust... ‐ Yeah?
‐ Is a really important thing to me...
‐ Yeah. ‐ So do you trust me?
‐ I do.
‐ Are you sure? ‐ Yes.
‐ Okay.
Let's do it.
‐ [laughs]
When I like somebody, I give 'em a hard time,
and I'm constantly giving Rachael a hard time,
so I could see this being a revenge date.
I could see her really trying to show me
what life's like in Georgia for her.
I have no idea what to expect, and I kind of like that,
because I'm big into surprises,
and Rachael's been a very pleasant surprise.
[engine revving]
‐ You scared?
[exciting music]
[laughing]
‐ Where the heck are we going?
Everything that I've learned about Rachael
up until this point is drawing me in.
‐ Are you ready? ‐ Yes.
Our connection is seamless...
‐ Come this way.
‐ And the fact that I'm feeling this now is scary,
but it tells me that this is working,
and I'm gonna step into it.
♪ ♪
‐ Do you know what we're doing here?
[both laughing]
‐ Oh, [bleep]!
I know exactly what we're d‐‐ [laughing]
‐ We're‐‐we are jumping out of a plane today.
‐ Oh, my God.
‐ You guys ready to go to 12,000 feet?
‐ [laughing] ‐ Let's do it!
[laughter]
‐ I'm stoked, yeah. This is gonna be great.
‐ You ready to do it? ‐ I'm a thrill‐seeker.
I‐‐I love stuff like this,
and I'm stoked that she would even consider
something like this for a date,
because I think this is the perfect date.
What could possibly go wrong?
‐ We're gonna free fall, kay,
at 120 miles an hour
from 12,000 feet to 5,000 feet, kay?
Then we'll be able to open your parachute up.
So, uh, 12,000 feet. 120 miles an hour.
Who's ready? ‐ Ready.
[exciting music]
‐ Come on up into here.
Slide on back.
[plane engine whirring]
♪ ♪
‐ We are taking this huge step,
literally out of a plane, today,
and this is, like, the first day
that he's gonna meet my family,
so this is also a really big step for our relationship,
and it's gonna be something that we can look back on
for, hopefully, the rest of our lives.
‐ The highest‐‐ ‐ All right, Matt,
if I die, I'm glad I'm dying with you.
‐ Aww.
Thank you for that reassurance in this.
‐ [laughs]
‐ Now, you remember what to do, right?
[engine whirring]
‐ So amazing.
‐ Rachael, you all right?
‐ Yes! I'm good.
What? You're nervous?
Are you scared?
‐ Um, you know, I'm getting a little nervous.
I'm not gonna lie.
[door buzzes]
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
‐ I am feeling that adrenaline kicking in already...
Oh, my God.
But the fact that
I get to do this with Matt,
it's scary, but it's exciting.
‐ Arms go up.
[wind whooshing]
[Matt shouting]
[exciting music]
♪ ♪
[sweeping music]
♪ ♪
‐ Oh!
Oh! [laughs]
[laughing]
Ahh!
‐ Yeah, Matt!
♪ ♪
‐ Whoo!
[laughs]
‐ Dance.
♪ ♪
‐ Yeah, yeah!
‐ [panting]
Oh, [bleep].
We did it. We did it.
‐ Here comes Rachael.
‐ Rachael!
‐ [laughs]
‐ Oh, [bleep]!
[dramatic music]
[bleep]. Rachael!
♪ ♪
‐ [groans]
‐ You all right?
‐ Oh, my God. My back is killing me.
I have so much grass in my mouth right now.
‐ You've got grass inside your mouth.
‐ [chuckles]
‐ Rachael just literally slammed into the earth, hard.
‐ Okay, I'm good.
♪ ♪
Oh‐‐ow, ow, ow.
‐ It was gnarly.
I don't even know how else to describe it.
Like, she's not meant to take that type of impact.
No one is.
The last thing I was expecting
was to see you spiraling down after we landed.
‐ [laughs]
‐ The idea of her being injured or banged up,
it puts everything into perspective.
Are you okay, for real, though?
‐ Yeah, I think so.
‐ My heart hurt when I was watching you.
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ You know what I mean?
'Cause you weren't moving for a second,
and I was like‐‐ you don't realize
how much you care until it's like
there is a chance that you could be gone, you know?
‐ [laughs]
‐ I'm not trying to be dramatic,
but I was just like‐‐that's... ‐ No, I know,
but you're making me emotional.
‐ That's what was going through my head, you know?
‐ Yeah. ‐ And it's like,
it's‐‐it's a different feeling
when, like, you're falling in love
and that person's, like,
potentially, like, really hurt,
and the thought of, like, losing you,
like, set in, in that moment, and I was just like, "Damn."
We‐‐we're just getting started, and...
‐ Yeah.
‐ I‐‐I didn't realize how strongly I felt
until something like that happens, you know?
‐ It's nice to see how much he cares about me.
[gentle music]
And, yeah, that just made me
fall even more in love with him.
♪ ♪
I don't know, it was a really bad situation
turned good because he was there for me,
and that's what I want out of a partner,
and I think that's what a marriage is all about,
and I can't even
think about going through life
without Matt, at this point.
[kissing]
[soft music]
♪ ♪
‐ Are you stoked?
‐ Yeah, no, I, like‐‐
I still can't believe they're here.
♪ ♪
I'm like, trying to peek. [both laugh]
♪ ♪
Are you nervous? ‐ Yeah, I am.
[both laughing]
‐ I am, too, but good nerves.
‐ Do you think she's in love?
‐ I'd be surprised.
‐ What, if she did fall in love with him?
‐ Yeah.
I would hope that they'd take their time.
I don't see how somebody would propose
that soon, you know?
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ What's the rush?
I mean... [door clicks]
♪ ♪
‐ Hi. ‐ [laughing] Hey.
‐ Hello.
‐ Rachey. Hi.
‐ Getting to introduce Matt
to my mom, my dad, and my sister means a lot.
Yeah. [laughs]
This is Matt. ‐ Hi, Trinity.
‐ It's so nice to meet you.
[muffled speech] ‐ Nice to meet you.
‐ I need to show them
how real my feelings are for Matt...
‐ Matt, how you doing? Darrell.
‐ Nice to meet you. ‐ Nice to meet you.
‐ And I hope that Matt
asks my dad for his blessing,
because I'm in love with the guy,
and I do want to start my future with him.
‐ Spill the beans. What's been happening?
‐ [sighs] I mean, a lot.
So we actually went skydiving today.
[both gasp] ‐ What?
‐ You're kidding. ‐ Oh, my God.
‐ Are you serious? ‐ Did you like it?
‐ Did you‐‐ did you crap your pants?
[laughter]
‐ Um, my landing was a little rough, I will say.
‐ I've‐‐I've always wanted to go skydiving.
‐ Me too.
‐ You should've taken me with you.
Dang it. I was here. ‐ I know.
My mom is one of the most important people to me,
and, of course, I care about her opinion.
‐ Rachael, do you wanna go have a chat?
‐ Yeah, let's do it. ‐ Okay.
‐ I see this man as my husband,
and I want to show my family how serious I am
about Matt and about the future that I want with him.
‐ So how's Matt?
‐ [sighs]
You know, like, I've definitely
been falling in love with him so easily,
and I would never, you know, want you guys
to come all the way up here just to meet this man
if it wasn't something serious
and if it wasn't a person I really could see myself
spending my life with and seeing a future with, so...
‐ Have you seen anything bad
or anything you don't like about him?
‐ No, that's what's‐‐no.
That's what's scary is, like,
I've never seen a red flag.
‐ I'm sure everybody has a bad day.
He hasn't had any‐‐I mean, I'm sure, at some point...
‐ No. That is what's crazy, Mom.
‐ He's gonna have a bad day, you know?
‐ That's what's crazy,
'cause, I mean, I've had bad days with him...
‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ And he's been like, "What can I do?"
I mean, not to scare you,
but, like, today actually was, like, a really hard day.
Um... [laughs softly]
When‐‐you know when I said, like,
my landing was rough?
It was bad. Like... ‐ Are you okay?
‐ Well...you can't see.
There's a lot of makeup on my face, but...
‐ Are you bruised up? ‐ Yeah. It was bad.
‐ Oh, my gosh. [laughing] What the heck?
‐ I know. Well, so listen.
I was‐‐I was fine, like, but, like,
even just seeing the way, like, he reacted about that
and, like, the way he took care of me
and the way that he comforted me, and, like,
that's how I would want my, you know, husband
to react to something scary like that.
‐ Yeah. Right.
‐ So I feel really, really confident,
like, where we're at, and...
you know, if he were to propose to me tomorrow,
I would be confident in saying yes.
Like, I know we can make this work.
At least, I think so.
♪ ♪
‐ A few weeks isn't, in my opinion,
you know, time to take that big next step.
I don't see how you could get to that point
in such a short period of time.
I would think you guys would want to give yourself
a little bit more time to get to know each other
even more, you know? ‐ Right.
And‐‐and I get that,
but, coming out here,
the end goal for me is to be married,
and what Rachael and I's relationship
has been built on this whole time
has been honesty, communication,
and being up front with one another,
and I told her that I'm falling in love with her
because I've never connected with someone
on the level that we've connected on.
‐ Yeah, um... [clears throat]
[fire crackling]
I don't know.
So, to me, it'd be difficult
to truly care about somebody
when you're seeing other‐‐other people.
‐ I‐‐yeah. ‐ You know?
[laughing] So it's like... ‐ Yeah, no, I‐‐
‐ I don't see how that works, but, you know.
‐ I‐‐I‐‐I 100% hear where you're coming from,
and what I can tell you is that I'm taking this serious,
and when I'm with Rachael, that's all I'm thinking about,
and I'm just gonna continue to progress our relationship
towards where I think it can get to.
[soft tense music]
♪ ♪
‐ To me, it's very quick
to get to the point where you're talking about
getting engaged or married.
Kind of, to me, it's a little unrealistic,
and he's got other ladies here.
So who knows?
I mean, what he's telling Rachael,
he could be turning around and saying
to the other two or three ladies, you know,
so I'm a little worried that she's fully invested
and that it doesn't happen for her,
and she, you know, gets her heart broken.
‐ Yeah, it's been‐‐ ‐ So tell me about Matt.
What's the deal there?
‐ I really do see that future with him.
He has all these qualities
that I've been searching for,
but haven't found within anyone else.
‐ Yeah, but, I mean, the way I see it,
there's, you know, four of you guys here.
‐ I know, and I‐‐
‐ The other three are here for a reason too.
‐ Yeah. ‐ And I'm sure
that they don't want their heart broken either.
‐ Yeah. ‐ And...
‐ I mean, I don't like‐‐ ‐ I'm sure he's telling 'em‐‐
‐ You think?
'Cause I don't‐‐I don't. ‐ Well...
Well... ‐ I don't think he is.
It might be a little naive of me
to think that I'm different,
but I really do think that I am,
and he really is a good guy,
and, like, I know if it is us two at the end of this,
like, you and Mom are gonna love him.
‐ Mm. ‐ He's great.
And he‐‐I feel like he's‐‐
‐ Well, you know Mom and I are here to support you.
‐ Yeah. ‐ We just wanna make sure
that, you know... ‐ Yeah.
‐ You're being respected and... ‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ And all that. ‐ Yeah, no.
I wouldn't still be here
if I wasn't being respected
or if I, you know,
didn't feel like this was the right move.
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ I would walk away
if I didn't actually... ‐ That's good to know.
‐ Have really strong feelings for him.
‐ Yeah. Yeah.
‐ So...
‐ Well, you know Mom and I love you,
and we are truly happy that you're happy.
‐ I know. ‐ You know, we'll support you
in whatever you do, and we're, you know‐‐
we're there for you, so I love you, babe.
‐ Love you too. Thanks for coming.
My conversations, I think,
went really well with my family,
and I think, at the end of the day,
they did really see how happy I am
and the fact that Matt and I are on the same page.
‐ Nice meeting you again. ‐ Nice meeting you.
Thank you. ‐ All right.
‐ But I'm super anxious right now,
waiting to hear what Matt has to say,
really about how the night went in general,
but especially that conversation with my dad,
because he was easily the most skeptical
and the most protective.
‐ Oh, man.
That was, uh...
it was‐‐it was‐‐ it was really good.
‐ Are you sure? ‐ Yeah.
Um, me and your dad had a great conversation.
‐ Okay. ‐ We talked for a while...
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ And I told him
I was falling in love with you, and I meant it...
‐ Mm‐kay. Yeah. ‐ And, rightfully so,
he was very skeptical about the process...
‐ Yeah. ‐ And I'm not trying
to convince him; I'm just telling him
what my experience has been... ‐ Yeah.
‐ And hoping he could see where I'm coming from.
‐ Yeah.
‐ And it's important to me
to ask for your dad's blessing,
but if I'm being honest with you,
that's not a conversation
I want to have with four families,
and when I get to that point,
I will call them and ask for it,
and I just didn't feel right asking for it
just to check a box.
That's not who I am.
[soft tense music]
‐ I think, all in all, it was a good day,
but part of me was hoping
that he would've asked my dad for a blessing.
♪ ♪
[sighs]
Saying goodbye to Matt tonight
is just so unbelievably hard in itself...
‐ I think it went well. ‐ Yeah.
You're scaring me now.
And it's so scary to think
that I could still potentially lose him.
[engine starts]
After seeing him with my family,
it's hard to accept the fact
that there are still three other women involved
and that it's not just Matt and I yet.
I will be completely crushed
if I don't end up with Matt.
♪ ♪
[light guitar music]
♪ ♪
‐ Today is my Hometown with Bri,
and I'm excited.
Bri was the first one‐on‐one I had,
and it's been easy for us to form
this strong connection so far
because we were both raised in a single‐parent home.
We have so many things that we connect on,
and we just get each other,
and that's carried our relationship, really,
up until today.
[car horn honks]
[chuckling]
‐ [laughing]
‐ I'm in a place right now with Bri
that is comfortable, but we need to push past that,
and I'm hoping that,
through today and meeting her family,
we're gonna take our relationship
to the next level.
Hi.
‐ [squeals] ‐ Mm.
‐ Hi.
[birds chirping]
How are you?
‐ A lot better. ‐ Yeah?
‐ Yeah. ‐ Mm.
All right, so... ‐ What's going on?
‐ For my Hometown today... ‐ Yeah?
‐ I am taking it back to that first date that we had.
Do you remember whenever you almost killed me?
‐ I sure do. [laughing]
‐ Okay, well, today is payback...
‐ Okay. ‐ For that,
and it's a lot of off‐roading today.
‐ All right. ‐ So...ready?
‐ I'm ready. ‐ Okay, get in.
‐ All right, let's do it.
‐ The passenger seat.
You're in the passenger seat.
[upbeat music]
‐ Hey, I'm cool with that.
‐ [laughs]
[engine starts]
You ready?
‐ Yeah, I'm ready.
♪ ♪
Wow!
‐ [laughing]
♪ ♪
Is your seat belt on? ‐ Yes.
‐ Okay, good.
♪ ♪
I think today's date definitely goes to show
what a bumpy and crazy ride this entire experience has been.
‐ Where is this water coming from?
Ooh, okay.
There you go.
[Jeep thunking] ‐ Yes.
‐ You're doing really well.
‐ Thank you. ‐ Not that I'm surprised.
‐ Off‐roading is something
I used to partake in growing up.
Hopefully, you know, I don't flip the Jeep today.
‐ Bri, anything I did, I'm sorry!
♪ ♪
Oh, come on!
♪ ♪
‐ Oh.
‐ If you flip one of these, you get the golden ticket.
[both laugh]
♪ ♪
‐ So you had a job from the time you were 12.
‐ I've been working since before I can remember.
I worked at Christmas tree lots.
Like, I've always had a job. ‐ Yeah.
It has been a long time coming today.
I've been dying
for the uninterrupted time to talk to Matt
and learn more about him
in our own, private, uninterrupted setting.
You're alive and walking?
‐ I am, barely. ‐ [laughing]
Each time Matt and I have been together,
we've progressed in our relationship more,
so I'm excited to see what today will do
in terms of growing that connection even stronger.
I am just really excited
to be here with you for Hometowns.
I'm excited for you to meet my family,
and I feel like our date
really did come full circle today
from the first one‐on‐one.
‐ A big part of, like, that first date
and that one‐on‐one was, like,
the conversations we had about our moms,
and I'm hoping that she made the trip
and that's someone that I get to meet today.
‐ Yeah.
‐ Is it? [both laughing]
‐ Yes.
So you are going to meet my mom, Lauren.
‐ Yeah. Lauren.
‐ I think she's gonna be a little tough
because she's always had to play
the role of Mom and Dad, and she's not‐‐
I mean, this is completely uncharted territory
for‐‐for the both of us.
I don't think I expected to be here with you,
and I didn't expect for you to meet my family.
Um...
I am still terrified at the fact
that I wouldn't necessarily be able to give you
a conventional family, like Mom and Dad
and everyone else‐‐ brother, sister‐‐
but I would just hope that who you will meet today
will be enough.
[gentle music]
‐ Well, I will put you at ease about the conventional family,
because... ‐ [laughing]
‐ My family's everything but conventional,
and it took me a long time
to figure out that my family was a perfect family
because I had a mom that loved me,
I had a brother who would die for me
and do anything for me, and I'll do anything for him,
and the ways that they love me in my life
is what I need and what I want in a family.
‐ Yeah. ‐ It sounds like your mom
and your friends are showing up for you,
and that's why I'm nervous,
because I know how important they are to you,
and I just want to make sure that...
I am the best version of myself for them, you know?
‐ I'm really, really happy with where we are
and where we're going,
and I'm excited.
Both of us are sharing very openly and honestly
and being vulnerable about our families,
how we were raised by single moms,
and I can't help but feel like that is partly why
I've taken such a strong liking to him.
So, you know, depending on how tonight goes,
I am hoping to tell Matt
that I am falling in love with him,
but saying that does make me feel extremely vulnerable.
It's very scary.
♪ ♪
[soft music]
‐ I'm so nervous.
‐ Excited for you.
‐ I'm excited and really nervous,
but good nerves, obviously.
Tonight I'm really going to be looking
for guidance from my mom and my best friend, Bri.
‐ [gasps] Bri!
Oh, my God. ‐ [laughing]
‐ They are the two people that know me the best
out of anyone.
‐ Hi, baby. ‐ Hi.
[laughter]
‐ Hi, baby. ‐ [laughs]
‐ I know that I can trust their judgment
and opinions about my decisions
and where I'm at.
That is the most important thing, to me.
‐ Hi, Matt. ‐ Hi.
Hi, Lauren. How you doing?
‐ [muffled speech] Doing good. ‐ Nice to meet you.
‐ The fact that my two worlds get to collide,
it feels really good.
‐ We have a little visitor. [baby crying]
Mommy's here.
‐ And I get to see my baby sister.
‐ Mommy's here.
[baby crying] ‐ [crying] Oh, my God.
‐ That's your big sister.
‐ She's beautiful.
It was so good to see her.
She's an angel.
‐ Oh, there she goes.
‐ Just bounce her, Mommy. [laughs]
‐ Matt, you look scared.
[laughter] ‐ No, I'm not scared.
Seeing Bri hold her baby sister
made my heart melt because you always envision
what your family's gonna look like.
Hey.
[baby fussing]
And her mom's overwhelming joy
and her friend Bri is super emotional,
and I'm just trying to take it all in
and just appreciate this moment that they're having
because I'm seeing how they're showing up for one another
and how Bri's gonna show up for us
and our family, potentially.
‐ She's very rambunctious,
just like her big sister.
‐ How are you? ‐ [laughs]
‐ I'm doing well.
I, uh...
I've been taking good care of Bri.
[laughter] Um...
‐ Have you? ‐ Yeah.
We've‐‐we've had a very interesting past few weeks.
‐ Like, what have you guys‐‐ what else have you guys done?
‐ Well, we know what Matt's been doing.
Dating. ‐ [laughs, claps]
‐ Oh. ‐ Yeah, dating your daughter.
‐ Shotgun. ‐ [laughing]
‐ My first one‐on‐one date was with Bri.
‐ Oh, was it? ‐ Aww.
‐ And that's where I learned a lot about you.
I learned a lot about you and what makes up Bri,
and a lot of what she's been through
is similar to my life experience.
‐ Matt, can I grab you for a moment?
‐ Yes, ma'am. ‐ Okay.
‐ I'm curious because this man
is not only dating my daughter,
but he's dating other people's daughters,
so I will ask everything that I need to
until I'm comfortable and confident,
and sometimes, that may make others uncomfortable,
but there are, you know, hard questions
that‐‐that we want to know.
So how do you feel about her?
‐ If I'm being honest with you,
the level that we connect on is different
than the conversations and connections
that I have with other women here...
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ And I realized that
early on, when I shared with her
what it's like to grow up with a single parent,
and it's made me who I am,
and‐‐and everything that you've done for Bri
has made her into this woman who she is today...
‐ Yeah. Right.
‐ And I see it working with Bri, and she‐‐
‐ Are you in love with her?
‐ I'm falling for her.
‐ Mm‐kay.
‐ It's not the assurance
that you're probably looking for,
but it's‐‐it's my honesty... ‐ Right.
‐ And it's‐‐it's how I've gone about approaching this.
‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ How realistic and forward‐thinking Bri is
and how realistic and forward‐thinking
I am about this process
allows us to think about a future together.
‐ But she is a ver‐‐ she's a realist.
‐ Yeah. ‐ She's a realist.
‐ But that works for me. ‐ And...[laughs]
‐ We're on the same page.
Like, that‐‐ that's why‐‐that's‐‐
‐ She is one that won't, you know‐‐
I mean, she wants to get her hopes up,
but she's afraid of being shot down.
So do you see Bri in your life?
‐ Absolutely.
‐ Interesting.
I think Matt has a special connection with Bri
that I totally get,
but it's hard to know if it's true love,
fantasy love‐‐ is it lust?
Because it's a short period of time,
but I think I'll be able to tell
because I know her.
Do you feel like you are in love with him?
‐ [laughs]
‐ Whatever answer is okay.
There's no right or wrong answer.
‐ I feel like this is the first time
where someone is looking at me
and seeing every single part of me.
It just feels so soon.
‐ It's crazy, but it's not crazy...
‐ [laughs]
‐ Because it's such a short period of time...
‐ Mm‐hmm, mm‐hmm. ‐ But when you...
have a connection with somebody and you feel it
and you know that they feel it, too,
it's just something special.
‐ [quietly] Yeah.
‐ I don't think it can be faked.
‐ I do feel like
I'm falling in love with him.
I'm so, so scared.
[sniffs] ‐ It's okay.
I know that you want to protect yourself,
and I want to protect you, too,
but you have to, I think,
make a commitment to yourself...
‐ [sniffles]
‐ To be honest, and you have to be vulnerable,
and that's a hard thing to do.
‐ I can't even imagine
what it would feel like to tell him
that I'm falling in love with him
and then to leave.
[sniffs] Or have to leave.
‐ Yeah, worst‐case scenario,
we are mending a broken heart together...
♪ ♪
But we'll survive.
‐ These feelings for Matt are terrifying,
but I need to be honest,
and I need to be vulnerable,
and I know that that's really hard for me to do,
and it makes me want to put up a wall.
Thank you for coming. ‐ Of course.
It was so nice to meet you. ‐ Hey, nice to meet you.
Thank you for coming. ‐ Yes, of course.
[gentle music]
‐ I love you.
I've gotta let that wall down
and tell Matt how I feel. ‐ Bye, love you.
‐ If I don't tell him,
how is he ever gonna know?
How did that go for you?
‐ Um... [clears throat]
It‐‐I mean, it went well.
I just answered every question
as best I could, you know?
‐ I am so, so happy
that you got to meet them,
and they also brought a new perspective
into this entire journey for me.
Um, it is really important to me
to know that the decision that I'm making
is the best decision and the right decision,
because I want it to be true to me,
and after talking to my mom and Bri...
[suspenseful music]
Ooh.
Sorry.
♪ ♪
I feel like...
I'm falling in love with you...
♪ ♪
And I just‐‐ I want more time with you.
‐ Thank you for sharing that with me tonight.
‐ Thank you.
[rousing music]
I am so happy to tell Matt how I feel
and how crazy I am about him.
‐ You kicking me out?
‐ I won't kick you out.
[laughing]
My days with Matt continue to get better and more amazing,
and I am so happy to have had today.
♪ ♪
I feel good knowing that he won't have any doubts
about where our relationship is
or where my head is.
♪ ♪
I do really want my heart and head to align,
and I feel like they were aligned today.
[sighs deeply]
[upbeat music]
♪ ♪
‐ Today is my Hometown date!
Yay! I'm so excited.
I'm excited to see Matt.
I'm excited for Matt and my family
to see each other.
It is gonna be a fun, silly day,
but it is important to me
to show Matt where I grew up
and how I became the woman I am today.
Hello.
‐ Good to see you again.
[both groan softly]
‐ How are you? ‐ I'm doing well.
‐ Good. ‐ You look great.
‐ Thank you. So do you.
‐ I'm extremely excited about today,
but I know how much
Serena's family means to her decision‐making,
and so that makes me extremely nervous,
because I like Serena a lot,
and I want her to see a future with me
like I see it.
‐ Oh, my God, it's so weird being on this end of things!
‐ I don't know what to expect.
‐ Don't be nervous!
It's gonna be exciting and great!
Okay? ‐ I am excited.
‐ Yeah? ‐ Yes.
‐ Okay. Let's go. ‐ Let's do it.
[birds calling]
‐ All right.
‐ [laughing] ‐ So...
because I can't take you to Canada...
‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ I thought I'd bring Canada to you.
‐ Okay. [laughing]
‐ I mean, if you're gonna meet my family today,
there are some things you gotta know.
Are you ready to become a true Canadian?
‐ I am. ‐ 'Cause I'm a proud Canadian.
‐ I know you are. ‐ Yeah, I am.
‐ [laughs] ‐ I love Canada.
All right, are you ready? Here we go.
‐ I am.
‐ ♪ O Canada! ♪ [both laugh]
My whole life has been in Canada.
I was born and raised there,
so it's a big part of who I am today.
Okay, so...
‐ Oh, boy.
‐ This is... ‐ Geography.
‐ Our map of Canada.
Let's see if you can find where I'm from.
‐ Uh... you're from right here.
‐ Yeah!
So this is Markham. ‐ [laughs]
‐ This is where I grew up. ‐ Okay.
Any time I spend with Serena is a great time,
so learning about what's important to her,
what she's experienced growing up, I'm loving it.
‐ I'm just gonna teach you about Canadian lingo.
‐ Oh, cool. ‐ Kay.
What's the most common one?
‐ "Eh?" ‐ Da‐da‐da‐da!
Eh? ‐ [laughing]
We're‐‐we're going over vernacular.
We're going over words.
‐ Do you know what we call, like, a beanie?
Or, like, a hat?
‐ I would say a toboggan.
‐ [laughs] Do you know what a toboggan is?
‐ Yeah. ‐ It's a sled, Matt.
‐ Is it, really? ‐ Yeah!
‐ Toboggan's a hat. ‐ No, a toque is a hat.
‐ Oh. ‐ Toque.
‐ I don't know much about Canadian culture,
but Serena's getting me there.
‐ How many points does the maple leaf flag have?
[laughs] Matt.
There's definitely a lot of hints in the room.
‐ We're having this intense lesson
on what I need to know, prepping me for tonight.
14.
♪ ♪
Is it right?
‐ No. ‐ Seriously?
‐ It's 11. ‐ Dang it!
I just hope her parents
don't think I'm a moron, you know?
♪ ♪
‐ We are gonna try some Canadian delicacies.
Poutine is fries...
‐ It's fries. ‐ Cheese curds, gravy.
‐ Do you need a fork to eat it, or do you just‐‐
‐ No, I don't usually use a fork.
‐ All right. ‐ Kay.
[quirky music]
Do you like it? ‐ Yeah.
‐ It's good, right? ‐ I would eat this whole thing.
‐ Yeah. ‐ But I have self‐control.
‐ Good for you. Well, we have more to come.
‐ This looks like Spam.
‐ It's like ham.
Like, have you had ham before?
‐ I've had Spam.
‐ I'm‐‐have you had ham, Matt? [both laughing]
You're gonna dip it in the maple syrup?
‐ Yeah.
‐ I'm having a blast today with Matt.
‐ Oh, my God. ‐ It's really good.
‐ He's handling the fun and games great.
We're sharing a lot of laughs
about kind of the silly things that we're doing together.
♪ ♪
[laughing]
Ew!
We just have so much fun together,
and I think that's a huge part of a relationship for me.
We have one last thing.
It's a Canadian rite of passage.
‐ I'm absolutely ready. ‐ Okay, let's go.
♪ ♪
One, two, three‐‐no!
[upbeat music]
‐ [laughing]
‐ Oh!
‐ [sighs]
‐ My dad's gonna be so proud.
‐ Serena is super confident.
"Oh, yeah, let's play hockey." Okay.
I'm way better than Serena.
‐ What are you doing?
‐ I could've crushed her, you know what I mean?
Dang it!
But I took it light on her today
just 'cause, you know, it is Hometowns.
♪ ♪
‐ Oh! ‐ Dang it!
‐ Victorious.
I think we've had a great day so far.
He was able to learn a lot about me,
and I feel like it has furthered our relationship
and deepened our connection.
I'm here to collect my prize.
[romantic music]
And now I'm just hoping for a consensus from my family
about our connection
and a potential future together
and what my family thinks of that.
♪ ♪
[soft music]
‐ It's so pretty. I like the house.
Are you nervous? ‐ Yeah, I'm nervous.
‐ [laughs]
‐ I am beyond nervous meeting Serena's family.
Serena's someone that I see myself
spending the rest of my life with,
and, knowing that,
I really want to make a good impression.
‐ Take a deep breath. [inhales]
It's gonna be fine.
I'll be right there.
♪ ♪
Ready?
‐ I'm ready.
‐ Okay.
♪ ♪
‐ Oh‐ho‐ho‐ho! ‐ [squeals]
[laughter] Hi!
[laughter]
Hi, Dad. ‐ Oh, hey.
‐ [laughs] Pull yourself together, man!
[laughter]
I feel really good about how tonight is gonna go.
‐ I'm Talia. ‐ Hi. I'm Matt.
‐ I'm really excited to see my family
and for Matt to get to meet them.
‐ Hi! ‐ [laughs]
‐ How are you? I'm Ras.
‐ Nice to meet you. ‐ Nice to meet you.
‐ And I'm just really excited to get my family's take
on him and what they see in our relationship.
‐ What did you do out of the limo?
‐ I did the step stool. ‐ Nice.
‐ Okay. ‐ My idea.
‐ It was her idea. ‐ That was great.
That was funny. I‐‐ ‐ You were like,
"I love your dress. Like, that's really cool."
‐ What was your impression? ‐ Yeah.
‐ I was blown away. ‐ Yeah?
‐ I‐‐I didn't know what to say, you know?
It's like, one of the things I was looking for going in‐‐
to find someone else who was normal.
‐ Right. ‐ And I'm‐‐
[laughter]
‐ He just called people crazy.
‐ No, I'm‐‐but‐‐
‐ He's not necessarily calling you normal yet either.
[laughter] So let's‐‐let's wait‐‐
let's wait for it. ‐ We don't know.
‐ No, I get what you're saying. ‐ You see what I'm saying?
‐ Like, our‐‐our conversation
was, like, a very, like, normal first conversation.
‐ Right. ‐ And that was, like,
the most liberating feeling ever,
because I didn't know what to expect.
‐ It was really good to see Serena,
and it's really nice to meet Matt.
I mean, obviously, he's somebody
that she has spent a lot of time with,
so it's nice to be able to see who he is.
Matt, can we go have a chat?
‐ Yes, ma'am.
‐ I guess I wanna know from him,
why Serena?
Like, he started off with a lot of people,
and he's picked Serena to be here, so why?
What is it you like about her?
‐ She's smart, beautiful, has her head on her shoulders,
and she challenges me,
and she's‐‐she doesn't take crap from anybody...
‐ Yeah.
‐ And every time I've left a conversation with her,
I'm just, like, thinking about her
and wanting to‐‐to know everything I can about her.
‐ Well, I like to hear that, because I have to say,
this whole process is, like, fast, you know?
‐ Yeah. Yeah.
‐ And you have three other people
that you're doing this exact same thing with...
‐ Yeah.
‐ And, obviously, as her mom
and her family, we're just worried about her getting hurt.
‐ Yep. ‐ You know,
you can be in love with someone,
but there's a lot more work
and a lot more that you have to be able to do
to get to that point of marriage.
[tense music]
Do you know how she feels about you?
‐ Uh, I have an idea.
♪ ♪
‐ Matt seems like he's a good guy,
and I think there's definitely something there,
but I don't know that Serena will be ready
to get engaged this quickly.
‐ Do you love him? Like, do you love him?
‐ He, on paper and in my head, checks every single box.
We literally get along so well. ‐ Yeah.
‐ Like, you can tell, like, we're very, like,
laugh‐y and playful. ‐ Yeah.
‐ He's extremely affectionate. ‐ Yeah.
‐ Like, I do sometimes feel like
I'm, like, catching up to his feelings, like...
‐ Yeah, but you're falling in love with him.
‐ I'm falling for him.
Yes. ‐ Okay. Um...
‐ What's, like, your impression of him,
like, off the bat, and us? ‐ I think he's‐‐
‐ Like, what do you see?
‐ I think he's a really cool guy.
Like, Matt is, like, everything I would want...
‐ Yeah. ‐ For you.
Um, to me, it seems like there's just something missing.
‐ You think? ‐ Which is‐‐yeah.
‐ Like, what is it? ‐ I would say
you don't seem smitten, and I think
it's because you're in your head, personally.
I think you're logically being like,
"Yeah, Matt checks all the boxes,
but where is that 'it' factor?"
And I think that, in the past,
you've looked for that factor...
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ Potentially,
and not looked at the guy. ‐ Yeah.
‐ You don't want to put Matt in a bad situation
and you don't want to put yourself in a bad situation,
and the one thing I worry about
is you get engaged, and you're like,
"I messed up."
Based on what I saw, Serena's definitely holding back.
I don't think they're quite there yet,
but the thing I'm most nervous about
is she could be talking herself into it.
‐ Matt seems like a really nice guy.
‐ Yeah. ‐ Are you happy?
‐ I am happy.
I mean, like, if we were to get engaged
at the end of this, like‐‐
‐ So you are thinking about getting engaged.
‐ It's not, like, off the table.
Like, I'm still, like, leaving it on the table,
but, like, it's really hard, because Tal thinks,
like, I'm in my head, and, like, I don't know.
‐ But that would make sense to me, though.
It's an important question, right?
‐ Yeah.
‐ An engagement is a very, very strong commitment.
‐ Yeah, that's what I'm freaking out about.
‐ Yeah. ‐ I don't‐‐I don't know
how to, like, articulate it, because it's like,
on one end, like, I was confident,
but now I'm not 1,000% sure.
I was actually, like, surprised
talking to my sister
and then having a conversation with my dad.
I don't know, I feel like I did get answers,
but I also left more confused at the same time.
‐ You look good. [glasses clink]
‐ Suddenly, I have a lot of doubts,
and, like, there's a lot of things
that I need to think about and figure out.
I just never thought I'd be in this position.
Like, I just, like, don't even know how to navigate.
Like, I just didn't even, like, fathom having these doubts.
I don't want to be standing there
getting proposed to, being like,
"What am I doing?" ‐ Right.
‐ "Like, you're not my person and I've made a huge mistake."
‐ Yeah.
Do you enjoy your time with him?
‐ Yes, I do.
‐ He's intellectually stimulating?
‐ Mm‐hmm. We have good conversations.
‐ He makes you feel good about yourself?
‐ Mm‐hmm.
I don't know what it is,
and I just can't put my finger on it,
and, like, I can't, like, verbalize it
or, like, write it down, but there's just, like,
something that's, like‐‐
that's causing me this, like, deep doubt.
‐ You know, you have to take what you need, right?
‐ It's just hard, 'cause, like,
I don't even know what that is at this point.
‐ Yeah.
I think that last relationship
really messed with your head, hon.
‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ And maybe that's where a little bit
of your doubt's coming from.
‐ Like, I was so sure last time,
and then...
‐ Then you got hurt, and you got hurt badly.
‐ [sniffs]
And it was like...
it was like my biggest fear came true
at the end of that relationship.
Like, I was so sure, and then I was wrong,
and I got‐‐I got so hurt.
[sniffs]
And I just...
I think I'm just struggling to, like, trust my feelings,
and I just, like, don't want to make the wrong decision.
♪ ♪
I just, like, want to be out of my brain
for, like, five minutes.
♪ ♪
My conversation with my mom definitely brought up
some things that I've been feeling
that I haven't realized were there.
‐ Bye. It was really nice meeting you.
‐ Thank you. You too.
‐ In my last relationship,
I just remember feeling so sure...
‐ Good luck with everything. ‐ Thank you.
‐ But how could I have been so certain
and then just been wrong
and, like, so heartbroken at the end of it?
Okay.
I do have this pit in my stomach sometimes with Matt.
Like, is it fear of letting myself fall in love with him
and then getting hurt again?
I don't know.
I don't know how I'm feeling
because I'm feeling a million things at once.
‐ How did it go with your mom and dad and sister?
‐ Um, it went‐‐it went well.
I just... I don't know.
I just have a lot of thinking to do.
It's just, I'm going through just some of my own stuff,
doubts that don't even come from you in any way‐‐
just, like, come from within myself‐‐
and internal battles that I'm dealing with
and just me being kind of honest on where I'm at,
and, you know, there's‐‐
there's a time limit on all of this.
[tense music]
‐ I feel like we can have that conversation
about everything you're thinking about,
so don't feel like you're‐‐
like, that weight is a lot.
‐ Yeah. ‐ 'Cause I've put it on myself,
and I think about the things that you're thinking about.
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ Just think about
where we're at now, and don't focus on anything else.
Just trust me.
‐ Okay. ‐ You know what I mean?
Kind of? ‐ Kind of.
I'll try.
Yeah.
I'll try.
‐ Okay. ‐ Okay.
♪ ♪
I'm so overwhelmed
and, like, emotionally exhausted right now.
I don't think I expected him
to take that so calmly and just be like,
"It's okay.
Like, just trust me. It's okay,"
and I was like, "What do you mean?"
I'm sitting here freaking out.
All right. Have a good night.
‐ You too.
‐ I am falling for Matt,
and we have an amazing connection
and an incredible relationship,
but thinking about
getting engaged to him in a few weeks
does scare me, because I'm not there yet,
and I wanted my Hometown to get me there.
I wanted to be able to be like,
"Oh, my gosh, yes, he's my husband,
and I see it," but tonight,
I have just doubt and fear.
I'm so confused.
[solemn music]
[animals bleating]
♪ ♪
‐ Hometowns this week were incredible.
[sighs]
I met four families,
and I'm still processing, uh, how I'm feeling
about the conversations I had
and where I'm at with these women.
‐ How's it going, bud? ‐ What's up, Chris?
How are you doing?
I've got a lot to think about,
especially going into a Rose Ceremony tonight.
‐ How you doing?
‐ It's been a week, Chris.
‐ Yeah, it's been a big week. ‐ Yeah, it has.
I met four families, and those conversations
went just about every direction you can imagine.
‐ Yeah.
They‐‐they usually tend to.
‐ Yeah, it's exciting, though,
because it's been a long time since I felt this way.
I've never felt this way,
uh, and having it reciprocated
with women that you're pursuing and you can see life with
is just continued validation
on me being where I need to be right now.
‐ So, there any concerns here?
‐ Um... ‐ Or is it all green lights?
‐ [sighs] Serena P., man.
Um, I feel like I've given her
as much confirmation of my feelings as I can.
‐ She's been high on your list since night one.
‐ She's been high on my list.
‐ I mean, you've always adored Serena.
‐ Something about her. ‐ Yeah.
‐ But, to be honest with you, I don't know where she's at.
Like, I feel like, like, we're having a breakthrough,
and I'm getting somewhere with Serena,
and then I'm closed off.
Like, she said she had a lot more questions last night.
‐ Okay. Wow.
Okay, so is this a relationship you want to fight for?
‐ Yes, you know?
It's‐‐this relationship means a lot.
‐ Then you're gonna have to dive into this,
and‐‐and I don't mean later.
That's a question I would want answered
before I hand out another rose.
♪ ♪
[soft music]
♪ ♪
‐ Last night was weird.
Something's off with Serena and I right now,
and I'm frustrated,
because the other women are meeting me halfway,
and even further, and they want to be here,
and they see a future with me...
♪ ♪
And after meeting her family,
I could tell Serena has doubts,
so I've got to talk to her.
I'd love to help.
Like, I want to be that in our relationship.
Like, that's important to me.
♪ ♪
I see a life with Serena, raising a family with her
and living out both of our dreams
and aspirations together.
I've seen it since the first night I met her,
but I don't know if she sees it.
I need to know
what you're thinking, how you're feeling,
and there couldn't be a better opportunity
for Serena and I to have this conversation
than right now.
[knocking]
♪ ♪
Hi.
‐ Hi.
I didn't know you were gonna be here.
‐ [sighs]
Good to see you.
‐ Good to see you too.
How are you? ‐ I'm all right.
I've been thinking about you a lot.
‐ I've been thinking about you a lot too.
‐ I know this process is a lot,
but I've known how I felt about you
for a long time,
and that's why I like spending time with you
and being around you,
because it feels real, you know?
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ And seeing that
you struggled through some of this,
I tried to make sure that you have enough time
to process that by,
just making you feel special whenever I can,
and I can say, without a doubt,
you are the person I've spent the most time with,
and that's intentional, you know?
It's because of what I see in a relationship with you...
‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ And what I can see with you is a future
and someone that I would, hopefully,
share a life together with.
♪ ♪
‐ Yeah, I mean...
[sighs]
I think it's important
that we do have an honest conversation,
especially at this point.
I mean, we had such an obvious connection
and chemistry right off the bat,
and things were so great with us,
and I felt so excited and good about everything,
but I think you also know
that I've had moments where I struggled
and did have doubts,
and I think when I first became aware of those feelings
was when I talked to my mom.
I was able to sit there and say, you know,
"Matt has everything that I would want in a husband,
"and he makes me feel so special and valued,
and we have the most amazing time together,"
but when it came to being able to actually talk about
my feelings for you and how I felt about you,
I really struggled...
[somber music]
And I thought that it was fear, initially,
that I was just scared, but...
I think, if I'm being honest with myself,
it's more than that, and I think that
it just comes down to the fact that...
I don't‐‐I don't think that you're my person.
[sighs]
[soft solemn music]
♪ ♪
‐ [grunts softly]
Um...
♪ ♪
I don't know.
It sucks to hear that,
but I felt it after I left that conversation with your family,
that, like, there was, like,
something off with you, you know?
It just stinks.
♪ ♪
I don't know.
It sucks to hear that, 'cause...
[clears throat]
I just want what's best for you, and...
[clears throat]
If that's not gonna be me and I can't make you happy
and be all those things for you,
then, like, that stinks.
‐ I'm just not there, and I don't know why.
And trust me when I say, like,
I've thought about it so much, and I've just been, like,
emotionally torn up over it.
[sighs]
♪ ♪
‐ You don't have to say or do any more.
You wanna walk me downstairs? ‐ Of course I'll walk you out.
♪ ♪
‐ [sighs]
♪ ♪
‐ Like, that honestly just sucked.
It just happened so fast,
and it just felt like I talked,
and then it was over, and I was walking him out.
♪ ♪
‐ See ya.
‐ It's just hitting me that...
that's the last time I'm gonna see him.
♪ ♪
[crying]
♪ ♪
‐ I'm just disappointed, you know?
That's not how I saw our journey ending.
♪ ♪
[sighs softly]
That was‐‐that was tough.
♪ ♪
The easy thing to do when I was talking to Serena
is run, and that's what I wanted to do,
'cause that's what I've seen my whole life,
is just to run from difficult conversations...
[sniffs]
But nothing gets resolved.
♪ ♪
And now, in the back of my mind,
I'm thinking about the other women.
I'm scared.
What if their feelings change?
The last thing I want to do
is leave here with a broken heart.
[sniffs]
[sighs]
♪ ♪
[soft tense music]
♪ ♪
‐ Hello.
Good to see you. ‐ Good to see you too.
‐ How you doing?
‐ Um, that was a tough conversation,
and the resolution to that conversation
wasn't one that I envisioned,
but Serena didn't see a relationship with me.
‐ And she decided to leave.
‐ Yeah, you have‐‐
you have your‐‐ your things you think about.
Like, I wish we could've addressed it sooner.
‐ Yeah. ‐ I guess it was a conversation
that we needed to have weeks ago.
‐ Is there a fear that there's another woman
that you're not on the same page with
that may do what Serena did?
‐ Yeah.
There is‐‐there is always a fear with that,
you know, but, tonight,
it's a chance for me to reiterate why I'm here...
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ And give these women
a chance to be honest and open about how they're feeling
so that we don't run into this problem down the road.
‐ Yeah. ‐ You know?
‐ All right, then, when you're ready,
I'll see you at the Rose Ceremony.
‐ Sounds good. ‐ All right, sir.
‐ Thank you, Chris.
[sighs]
Today was tough.
I was in shock.
Serena is someone that I thought
I was gonna potentially be with.
My feelings for these women are real,
and I really thought I knew how they felt about me
and this process,
but now I'm having doubts.
We are so close to the end, I can smell it.
♪ ♪
My biggest fear is being, at the end of this,
down on one knee, and I end up heartbroken.
I'm just hoping that Rachael, Michelle, and Bri
accept this rose.
[dramatic music]
[sighs heavily]
Thank you all for being patient with me.
As y'all can see,
uh, Serena won't be joining us.
The fact that she's not here
means that she couldn't see herself as my wife.
It wasn't easy, but...
Those are what the conversations
are gonna look like going forward.
So tonight, I just want to reiterate
what it means when I offer you a rose,
and what comes with accepting that rose
is accepting what comes with being here.
For me, that's an engagement.
I want you all to think long and hard
about that commitment
before you accept the rose tonight,
knowing that's where we're headed going forward.
[solemn music]
♪ ♪
[sighs]
Michelle.
♪ ♪
Michelle, will you accept this rose?
‐ Yes, without hesitation.
Thank you.
♪ ♪
[sighs]
‐ Rachael.
♪ ♪
[chuckles softly]
Rachael, will you accept this rose?
‐ Yes. Thank you.
♪ ♪
‐ Bri.
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
Bri, will you accept this rose?
‐ Yes. Thank you.
♪ ♪
‐ [clears throat]
[sighs]
Thank you all for being patient,
and I'm extremely excited
about our next two weeks together.
‐ I'm just so excited
that I get to be here another week.
I know that I'm falling in love with Matt.
Now we're talking about intimate time together,
Fantasy Suites, and then get my hubby.
‐ This process has not been easy,
but I'm extremely excited
that this is where we're at in our journey.
‐ I'm really looking forward to next week,
'cause I think it's gonna be really exciting,
but there's just something a little bit disheartening,
knowing that I got the last rose.
I can't help but just wonder where Matt's head is at.
‐ I'm looking forward to these next two weeks
to continue to get to know you all
and spend as much quality time as possible while we have it.
‐ I'm so giddy
about continuing my relationship with Matt,
but, you know, I'm terrified
that he is gonna see a better future
with someone else.
I know I really love him,
so that makes it 20 million times harder.
[laughs, sniffs]
I've never, in my life, felt this way,
so it's pretty scary to think that
I might have to give it up.
‐ To finding love.
[glasses clinking]
‐ Coming up next week,
it's a shocking Women Tell All.
‐ It's just hard to hear yourself being called a ho,
a idiot, or a shady bitch.
‐ Some of you can't accept
what it was that you did in the house.
‐ All of your favorite women
from this season are back...
‐ I didn't sign up to get my name slandered.
‐ You called her a high‐end escort.
‐ I was angry.
‐ And the gloves come off.
‐ Yes, I was involved in drama,
because I was going through, like, levels of pain.
‐ That's fake as hell.
‐ [scoffs]
‐ Plus, Matt returns
to face the women that went home.
‐ I care about him still so much.
‐ Is there any part of you that thinks,
"Maybe I made the wrong call"?
And then, in two weeks...
Matt's journey to find love continues.
‐ I'm about to make
one of the most important decisions of my life.
‐ Each time I get to spend with you
gets better and better.
♪ ♪
‐ I'm in love with Matt.
‐ People fall in and out of love,
and love is not the end‐all, be‐all.
‐ It's gonna be
the most difficult decision I've ever made.
‐ My heart's in pieces.
‐ I'm in love with Matt,
and he's with another woman right now.
I can't do this anymore.
‐ I feel like everything that I was working towards
is starting to crumble.
‐ [crying]
‐ You okay? ‐ No.
[laughs] ‐ [sighs]
‐ [sniffs] No, I'm not.
‐ I'm sorry, Matt.
I'm very sorry.
‐ Yeah.
‐ You know if you can do this anymore?
‐ To be honest with you,
I don't know, Chris.
[crying]
♪ ♪
‐ It's all coming up on "The Bachelor."
‐ What gear are you on?
‐ I'm going high so that I could get it,
like, in control. ‐ Okay.
[gear clicking] Oh.
Oh, God. [both laughing]
Were you that person that would try to, like‐‐
you know when someone's biking in front of you
and try to ride up and... ‐ Oh, but I'd hit brakes.
‐ Screech their tire? ‐ I'd‐‐I'd run‐‐
‐ No! Matt! ‐ I'd rub their tires.
‐ Am I going to the right?
[both laughing]
‐ [laughing] Matt, where are you going?
‐ I'm going this way.
‐ You looked like you were gonna hit me.
‐ I would not hit you. ‐ Okay.
Oh‐‐ [laughs]
[bike bell jingles]
♪ ♪
Oh! ‐ You did that on purpose.
‐ No, I didn't!
‐ My back. ‐ Are you okay?
‐ Yeah. ‐ Okay, come here.
I didn't mean to laugh at you,
but you said you're not gonna hit me,
and then you hit me. ‐ You just stopped.
[both laughing]
‐ Sorry. ‐ Oh, shoot.
‐ [laughs]
‐ [laughing] My bike is broken.
[playful music]
‐ Matt.
‐ My bike is literally destroyed.
‐ Maybe we're wa‐‐let's‐‐ we'll walk.
‐ Yeah, let's hit this walk. ‐ Okay, we're gonna walk.
[both laughing]