Gerry Turner Calls Internet Comments About Him and Theresa Nist 'a Source of Good Entertainment' (Exclusive)

The Golden Bachelor tells PEOPLE "talking constantly about things that come up" helps him and his fiancée shrug off internet comments about their relationship

Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and his fiancée Theresa Nist have read the rumors about them online — and they’ve laughed them off.

“We read some of the things online, and it's really a source of good entertainment for us,” Gerry, 72, tells PEOPLE in a joint interview with Theresa, 70. “But talking constantly about things that come up, whether it's wedding-related or relationship-related or whatever the case may be, has really helped us so much.”

The retired restaurateur credits “a sense of humor” with helping him and Theresa stay positive in the face of speculation and negative comments.

Related: See Which Ex of Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner Will Officiate His Upcoming Wedding to Theresa Nist

Theresa finds it “really interesting to read about yourself online when people really don't know.”

“But we also don't really have that much time to read things like this,” she continues. “There's so many good messages that we get from very lovely people who say such wonderful things, so I tend to not even see the other stuff.”

Theresa has loved receiving those kind words since her and Gerry revealed their engagement during The Golden Bachelor finale in November. “People saying how it's affected their lives and how much it means to them that we found love and they feel like they can find love, it's really inspiring and it's been great,” the mother of two says.

Gerry wishes he and Theresa had more time to respond to the positive messages.

“Theresa and I both are very sorry that we haven't been able to answer so many comments or all the comments that are sent,” he says. “And we really would love to be able to do that. And maybe sometime in the future when things settle down, we're able to catch up. But we don't want anybody to think that we haven't valued all of those comments that have been sent to us because they're so warm and heartfelt and supportive that we appreciate so much what people have said.”

On Thursday, Gerry and Theresa will celebrate saying “I do” in front of their loved ones, members of Bachelor Nation — including Wells Adams, Ben Higgins and Ryan and Trista Sutter — and millions of viewers who will tune into their live, televised wedding special. Theresa wishes everyone who’s supported her and Gerry throughout their journey could be in attendance.

Related: Gerry Turner's Golden Bachelor Ladies Reunite to Watch Him Get Married: 'Ready for the Wedding of the Year!'

“We're just so excited for this day and we want everybody to be a part of it, we wish everybody could be there,” the financial services professional says. “We're sending our love to everyone who supports us and wants to watch it. We want it to be just a loving day.”

She also doesn’t want to mess up in front of the cameras.

“I've always had problems trying to pretend the cameras weren't there,” Theresa says. “I don't know if I can do it. I'm going to try so hard!”

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The Golden Wedding airs Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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