The 22nd season of ABC’s "The Bachelor" has everyone with a box of tissues and a sour face toward the bachelor himself: Arie Luyendyk Jr. This season, as Chris Harrison preached, was the most dramatic ending I have ever seen.
WARNING: spoilers below
Arie somehow managed to break every girl’s heart who came on the show. It was down to the last two girls: Becca K. and Lauren B. Both of these ladies, though drastically different, seem like such sweet girls. After telling both of them he was in love with them within the final weeks of the show, he managed to do the unthinkable: break both of their hearts as America watched on our televisions and laptops.
Arie kept saying he was struggling with who to choose in the end. On one hand, he had Becca who has a bubbly personality and the conversation never stops between them. And then there is Lauren. Lauren seems so sweet and Arie is obviously into her, but he is afraid because he is constantly needing to reassure her (how unthinkable that someone would want reassurance when their boyfriend is dating multiple other women right before their own eyes... c’mon, get it together Lauren).
When it was time to get down on one knee, he admits to anyone who will listen that he was up all night before not sure what to do...probably not the best sign for his future wife. Nevertheless, he picks out a Neil Lane ring and heads off to devote himself to one woman for the rest of his life. After sending home Lauren, who could not have been more blindsided, he proposes to Becca with the words, “I choose you today, but I choose you every day from here on out.”
PSYCH!
A couple of weeks after the heartfelt engagement, Arie decides to break up with Becca in an attempt to win Lauren back. As if that wasn’t painful enough to hear about, we had to watch Arie break up with Becca as it was broadcasted without editing. This poor girl simply can’t catch a break! Now Arie has successfully broken two amazing women's hearts... good work bud!!
As we watch the "After The Final Rose" episode, we find out that Lauren and Arie are absolutely together and are in good spirits. In fact, the happy couple is doing so well that Arie took it upon himself to propose to Lauren in front of the audience, which includes MANY of his ex’s. Personally, I wish Lauren and Arie the best so that no one in their love triangle had to go through all of that for no reason.
The shining light at the end of this story is that Becca has rightfully earned the title of the next Bachelorette! She already has America’s heart and will, without a doubt, be a great aid in getting ABC’s "The Bachelor" franchise back on track. I simply can't wait to watch her season and hope the men are up to the task of loyalty and honesty this time!
