As the sun is setting on Hannah Brown's time as the Bachelorette, we can all agree that she's had to deal with more than her fair share of drama during this experience. On the show's Finale episode, the lead broke off her engagement with fiance Jed Wyatt after reading a People Magazine article that revealed Jed had a girlfriend, Haley Stevens, up until leaving to film the show. He never truly broke off their relationship and left Hannah confused and betrayed when she heard the news.
In the episode, Hannah said she felt that the experience was taken away from her, and understandably so. She had to deal with drama with two out of the four men in her final four, and she made her decisions based on the guy she thought Jed was, not knowing the full picture because he wasn't honest with her.
However, in an interview with Michael Strahan after the episode premiered, he asked her if she had any regrets about how her season went. Her answer is truly something to be applauded. She reflected on how her experience on the show has changed her. She stated that she found love for herself, and that's worth everything she went through.
That statement truly struck me, because when people think of 'The Bachelor' or 'The Bachelorette,' you think about finding romantic love with someone, getting engaged, and living the rest of your life with that person. Though Hannah's 'happy ending' didn't go as planned, she got another happy ending she didn't expect. You can't fully love someone else and give your heart to them without unconditionally loving, respecting, and understanding yourself, and Hannah's newfound confidence and self-love will undoubtedly get her far in life, and help lead her to the person who will ultimately be her forever. To quote Hannah from the Finale, "I have realized that I don't need a husband. I want a husband, but I don't need one. And I'm really proud of the woman I've become through this." This statement alone shows so much more self-respect and maturity than Hannah came into Colton's season with, and I, for one, am so proud of the acceptance and peace she has found within herself.
No matter what the future holds for her, and whether drinks with Tyler work out (which I, for one, hope they do) Hannah will accomplish so many great things, and I hope her future makes her happy.
Hannah, with Tyler or without, we're all rooting for you and your happiness because you deserve the best. ♡
