Chris Harrison Blogs ‘The Bachelorette’ Hometown Dates
Hello Bachelor Nation! After an unbelievable few weeks in South America, we are on to what may be my favorite part of the whole season: hometowns. Getting to know someone’s family is such an incredibly important part of finding a partner in life. These are the people that JoJo may soon be folding into her own family, and that’s a huge deal. You learn so much about someone when you meet their family and it can be like looking into the future. These are the people JoJo may be seeing on holidays, vacations, and more, and she had a huge week of getting to know the people that may one day become her in-laws.
Related: ‘The Bachelorette’ Hometown Dates Recap: Option Paralysis
The week started with a trip to Colorado to meet Chase’s family. Obviously, it’s more and more common for people to have nontraditional family lives. Chase’s parents are divorced and have each remarried — and that, of course, has given Chase a different outlook on love since his adolescence. I have to give Chase and his parents and unbelievable amount of credit for their openness and their honesty in letting JoJo and America into their lives, but I think it was clear to them that Chase was falling madly in love with JoJo and of course they would do anything they could to help nurture and support that relationship. Chase told JoJo that was falling in love with her and that was obviously the moment she was waiting for. As JoJo often says, she needs words of affirmation, and with Chase, that’s exactly what she got.
As we move up to Chico, California, it’s important to again thank a family for letting all of us into their lives. Of course, we’ve found out that Jordan’s family situation is complicated, and with his brother being such a huge public figure, it’s something that has gone from private to public. But they didn’t let any of that get in the way of getting to know JoJo. JoJo doesn’t have a perfect family life — no one does. And it takes a lot of courage and honesty to admit when things aren’t perfect. Even though JoJo still had some questions at the end of this date, I think she learned a lot about Jordan and all he had gone through in his adult life. Sometimes the hardest days are the most important when learning about someone you’re falling for.
From one dramatic hometown to another, (wow, they’re all pretty dramatic this season!), JoJo found her way to Florida to meet Robby’s family. Robby was the first guy to tell JoJo that he loved her, and when JoJo told his mother how she was feeling towards him, it felt like everything was going to be smooth and silky. But then Robby’s ex-girlfriend came up and once again, JoJo had to spend time trying to figure out how to weigh her feelings against the things she was hearing. On the one hand, JoJo trusts her instincts, but on the other hand, a lot of people are coming out of the woodwork and telling JoJo what is good for her. In life, I think it’s important to trust your gut, but it’s also important not to be blind to the red flags. JoJo is in a tough situation, and obviously she only has a few weeks to figure out what exactly she wants to do with her future.
And then there was Luke, a man from my home state, Texas. JoJo’s from Texas too. A lot of great folks are Texans, and it was clear from the huge reception that JoJo got when she arrived that Luke’s family and friends were ready to welcome her with open arms. But when it came down to the words of affirmation JoJo so clearly needs, Luke fell a little short, but all of that was about to change.
Hometown rose ceremonies are very very tough and JoJo is so caring and so sensitive, there is no way that this night was going to be anything short of tearful. Luke obviously left his hometown regretful of not being completely and totally forthright with his feelings, and he took this moment to express his feelings for JoJo. And it threw her whole world upside down. In no way did Luke mean to upset her, but he really sent her for a tailspin, and that tailspin took so long, we’ll have to continue it next week!
We are almost at the end of the road, Bachelor Nation! Next week, we will see who goes home after hometowns and then we will see the exotic and beautiful overnight dates in Thailand. And the very next day — Tuesday, July 26 — is the Men Tell All. You’ll see JoJo, Chad, and everyone else that has been a part of this journey so far. Get ready Bachelor Nation — next week is one of the biggest weeks we’ve ever had.
The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
