'Like we never left': 'Bachelor' star Nick Viall bought back his late grandpa's Wisconsin lake house and gave it to his mom

Waukesha native and "Bachelor" franchise veteran Nick Viall has dreamt — both figuratively and literally — of returning to his late grandfather's Wisconsin lake house, according to videos the star shared on social media.

After just missing out on the property a couple years ago, Viall was recently able to buy it. And, he gave it to his mother, Mary Viall, who grew up there.

The Midwestern spirit is strong with this one.

"It's a wonderful thing he did," Chris Viall, Nick's dad, told the Journal Sentinel. "It's going to be great for our family and for us. We're very excited."

Nick's grandfather had the lake house built in 1965.

When Nick and his siblings were kids, their parents would often take them there. They'd play in the water and on the beach, fish, waterski and go on adventures in the woods, Chris said.

"It was like my Nirvana," Nick said in a video.

After Nick's grandpa died in 1990 when Nick was 9 or 10, the house was sold.

"At that time, we were young and raising a family, and it wasn't something we could afford to buy," Chris said. He and his wife have 11 children.

"I remember being devastated, like, 'Why would you guys sell it? How could you?' I was just like beside myself," Nick said in a video.

Throughout his life, Nick had reoccurring dreams about being at the lake. He even got a detailed tattoo on his chest of the house among trees and the water.

"(The house) means a lot to Nick because he has a lot of childhood memories here," Chris said. "He told us he dreams about it — has his whole life."

"I feel like I'm literally living a dream, because it's a dream I've had my entire life," Nick said in a video. "Not to sound corny, but it's like I keep wondering if I'm going to wake up from this dream, because this was the dream I had that I always woke up from. And now, I'm not waking up."

Viall, a graduate of Waukesha North High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, appeared on Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe's seasons of "The Bachelorette." In both, he was sent home as the runner-up during the series finale.

Viall would later be on the ABC spin-off "Bachelor in Paradise" and become "The Bachelor."

Viall is the host of the popular podcast "The Viall Files" and author of the book "Don't Text Your Ex Happy Birthday: And Other Advice on Love, Sex, and Dating."

Just missed out on the lake house a couple of years ago

A couple of years ago, Nick Viall's uncle notified him that the lake house was for sale, Nick said in a video. Nick was "devastated" when he found out there was already an accepted offer.

Nick "tried very hard" to convince the buyer not to purchase the property, but was unsuccessful.

Last year, Nick reached out to the house's owner, who "graciously" let him, his fiancé, Natalie Joy, and his parents come for a visit, Nick said in a video.

Chris said it was "surreal" to be there again after such a long time.

"It was exactly how I remembered," Nick said in a video. "I just kind of said to the guy, 'If you ever change your mind or you find something else on the lake, let us know.'"

Within the last couple of months, Nick got the text he had been hoping for. The lake house's owner said he was willing to sell to Nick.

"I have so much gratitude for them," Nick said in a video.

Viall documented telling his mom the big news in a video

Nick shared the special moment of him surprising his mom with the big news both on Instagram and TikTok.

Nick told her in a card. The two embraced, Mary wiping away tears from her face.

"It was great, especially for my wife because she has a very strong attachment (to the house)," Chris said. "It was the family home. She has a lot of memories."

Chris and Mary have been going to the lake house regularly since. They've been decorating and "making it ours," kayaking, going on pontoon boat rides and getting to know their neighbors, Chris said.

Over the Fourth of July, all 11 kids joined them there.

"It doesn't happen very often, so it felt good," Chris said.

"After being there for a couple hours, what was crazy about it is just how familiar it started to feel again," Nick said in a video. "Like it really feels like we never left."

In a video, Nick showed his uncle pushing his mom on a swing they played on as kids; the names of his mom and her siblings engraved on steps; and a bird house Nick's great-grandfather made in a tree.

Viall and his fiancé plan to make memories at the lake house with their future kids

Nick also shared a clip of his fiancé in a boat and said that this will be the place where they'll make new memories with their future children.

"What a JOURNEY this has been!! we will create the most beautiful memories here and our children will get to grow up enjoying the same slice of heaven their dad grew up enjoying," Joy commented on the post.

Viall and Joy announced their engagement on social media in January. According to People, the two started dating in 2020.

Joy shared lake life pics on her Instagram, too, including one of Nick sporting a Miller High Life cutoff on a boat, with the caption: "We bought a lake house and now we are never coming home."

"It's finally starting to feel real like that it's actually ours again, and it's back in the family," Nick said in a video. "It's the coolest experience of my life."

Viall thanked his supporters; fellow stars commended what Viall did for his family

In a video, Nick said that, without his show and supporters, he wouldn't have been able to buy the lake house for his mom and family.

"I can't thank you enough. I appreciate it," Nick said. "Thank you for helping me live the greatest dream of my life."

Many celebs left comments on Viall's Instagram post, commending what he did, including fellow Wisconsin native and reality TV star Shayne Jansen, who appeared on "Love is Blind" Season 2 and "Perfect Match."

"This is dope congrats bud," Jansen commented with the raising hands emoji.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nick Viall bought Wisconsin lake house late grandfather owned for mom