As you settle into your couch to watch the latest episode of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” your snack of choice and remote in hand, you don’t necessarily think of the valuable moral lessons you’ve been learning as you follow JoJo’s path towards love. Maybe you’re in it for the drama, or the mindless, scripted entertainment, or maybe you’re scoping out your own future husband, but either way, you’ve been absorbing these valuables tips and tricks about living life along the way.
1. Love is blind.
movie star good looks, we’ve learned throughout this season that true love doesn’t care about rippling biceps. Or, at least, Daniel seems to think so. It’s unfair that his perfectly sculpted chest would be eliminated before contestants with the ability to actually hold a conversation, right? As he so eloquently put it in this week’s episode, “She was obviously going for personality, and obviously my personality is f---ed.”
2. You don't have to have everything figured out right away.
Finding the person you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with is no small matter, and rushing into things is just going to steer you straight into disaster. Even though we’ve started to see the clear frontrunners emerge, there’s still no way of telling who JoJo will choose during the (probably tearful) finale. If the scenes from later this season have told us anything, it’s that maybe the obvious choice isn’t all he’s cracked up to be. Even more reason to take your large life decisions one step at a time.
3. Everyone loves drama.
“The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” entice viewers with non-stop twists and turns, and it’s practically guaranteed that each episode will be jam packed with jealousy, dates, and disaster – by now, it’s practically a fool-proof formula. Even though this latest season has seen more violence than tears, there’s no denying that even these hyper-masculine men love to stir up unnecessary conflict. They’re just as catty and petty as the women of “The Bachelor,” therefore disproving every girl who’s claimed, “I’m only friends with guys, there’s less drama.”
4. You can find common ground with anyone.
In a world filled with intolerance, it seems unlikely that members of every race, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender can be united under a common mindset. At least, it did, until we realized that Chad exists. Nothing brings people together quite like a mutual hatred for the world’s biggest meathead.
5. Love isn't always easy.
Even though “The Bachelorette” recreates dating as something straight out of a fairy tale, JoJo’s journey has begun to teach us that finding love will always have a few bumps along the way. She’s already had to endure plenty of tears, two crazy Chads, and her fair share of heartbreak just to get to this point, but, in the end, she’ll probably say it was worth it. In the end, love conquers all.
6. Nice guys don't necessarily finish last.
Even though Chad tried – and failed – to explain that nice guys are really just jerks and that he’s actually pretty nice, it’s obvious that some of the men this season (previously mentioned company excluded) are genuine sweethearts. Even though many have fallen short of being the perfect gentleman, Wells, Derek, and James Taylor, to name a few, have all managed to reveal that they’re in this for JoJo, will respect her decisions, and are more than the media’s idea of the manliest man. And, guess what? They’re all still in the running.
7. Don't judge a book by it's cover.
It’s easy to get distracted by the good hair and great abs of this latest season’s crop, but if “The Bachelorette” teaches us one thing, it’s that we shouldn’t judge the contestants by looks alone. Jordan may be beautiful, but it looks like they’re getting ready to reveal his true nature. The first episode may introduce us to the endless string of pretty faces all vying for JoJo’s heart, but the following weeks make sure the viewers know their true nature. Chad was crazy, Alex is always ready for a fight, and Jordan might not be all he seems to be.
8. Not every relationship is meant to last forever.
Even though the show goes to great lengths to promote the idea that true love will weather the test of time, it doesn’t always show it. Even though JoJo and one lucky guy will end up living happily ever after, twenty-five men will have to say goodbye to the girl of their dreams, but, as we’ve learned, that’s okay. Not receiving a rose doesn’t automatically mean suggest heartbreak – in most cases, they’ve accepted JoJo’s decision and are thankful for the time they had together. Just like in real life, just because a relationship has to end doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it.
9. There's someone out there for everyone.
At the end of the day, after the fights and the Fantasy Suite, after the first dates and fireworks, after the copious amount of wine and drunken insults, this show only proves that love is out there for everyone.
Yes, even for Chad.
