Joan Vassos' journey as ABC's inaugural Golden Bachelorette came to an end on Wednesday night's 90-minute finale.
The 61-year-old Maryland native had narrowed the 24 contestants down to 2 - Chock Chapple, 60, and Guy Gansert, 66, heading into the finale.
She had promised herself that she would never say 'I love you' until the end of her journey, which happened on the finale.
She was slated to have final dates with both Chock and Guy, both of whom would meet her son and daughter, along with their significant others.
That didn't happen, though, with Joan making up her mind after the first date... leaving the other finalist heartbroken.
Joan Vassos' journey as ABC's inaugural Golden Bachelorette came to an end on Wednesday night's 90-minute finale
The 61-year-old Maryland native had narrowed the 24 contestants down to 2 - Chock Chapple, 60, and Guy Gansert, 66, heading into the finale
She was slated to have final dates with both Chock and Guy, both of whom would meet her son and daughter, along with their significant others
She ultimately chose Chock after his final date with her, telling Guy the next day that her, 'heart belonged to someone else.'
He told her, 'I made the decision that when I spoke with your kids, I was going to tell them that I had fallen in love with you and then I was going to get down on a knee and I was going to ask you to marry me.'
'I really thought this was gonna happen,' Guy said in confession, as Joan told him, 'You'll always be a part of my life.'
'I'm gonna let it all out. I was ready,' Guy said in confession, as Joan admitted, 'I can't help but feel really, really, really guilty.'
'He was so happy to see me when I got there. I don't want to hurt people. It's a hard line to kind of walk,but you can't make your heart feel a different way, and my heart belongs to Chock,' Joan said.
Guy was clearly heartbroken, though there was no animosity, as he met with Joan during the live finale before Chock proposed to Joan.
Chock joined host Jesse Palmer on the live portion of the finale, admitting it was 'a blur' and watching it again was, 'heartbreaking,' though he learned something important.
'I didn't think at this point in my life that I could feel the emotions I could feel what I call true love again and watching that there, I did. I know I can do it again,' he said.
She ultimately chose Chock after his final date with her, telling Guy the next day that her, 'heart belonged to someone else'
'I'm gonna let it all out. I was ready,' Guy said in confession, as Joan admitted, 'I can't help but feel really, really, really guilty'
Joan was brought out as Guy saw her for the first time in a few months as they embraced in a hug as he told her, 'everything is good.'
He insisted that everything he told her, 'came from the heart,' and asked if there was something 'missing' that he didn't anticipate.
'Kind of the opposite. I never ever thought I could have strong feelings for more than one person, and, like, as you described it, it was kind of a slow burn, but I was getting there with you, but it comes down to being like kind of a time thing,' she said.
She added that he was, 'an amazing human being' and that he was 'full of love' and a 'kind person.'
'It was really, really hard at the end to say good-bye to you because in any other situation I would have been with you, because we would have more time,' she said, adding that she missed him and she hopes they will always be friends, 'and that one day we'll be double dating.'
They then showed the final moments of the show, where Chock was getting ready to propose, admittedly nervous since she still hadn't told him that she loved him.
'We are living proof that no matter what life throws at you that there is still hope even at our age,' Joan told him.
'I waited till this moment in this amazing location to tell you that I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you,' she said, which thrilled Chock.
He insisted that everything he told her, 'came from the heart,' and asked if there was something 'missing' that he didn't anticipate
They then showed the final moments of the show, where Chock was getting ready to propose, admittedly nervous since she still hadn't told him that she loved him
They then showed the final moments of the show, where Chock was getting ready to propose, admittedly nervous since she still hadn't told him that she loved him
'I waited till this moment in this amazing location to tell you that I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you,' she said, which thrilled Chock
'Joan you will never be invisible to me. I'm going to tell you that I love you every day. I promise that,' Chock told her.
'I look into those gorgeous eyes and I just can't believe this is happening. Because I still think, I'm in a dream and I'm just going to wake up. But Joan, I love you and I want you to be in my life.'
Joan then told him that she decided a year and a half ago that she needed love back in her life. She said she saw a future with him on their very first date.
'I felt like we could take care of each other and knew you would never hurt me,' Joan said. 'We are living proof that no matter what life throws at you there is still hope even at our age. I waited until this moment in this amazing location to tell you that I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'
Chock kissed her.
'I have a question for you,' Chock said. 'Joan would you marry me?'
'Of course I'll marry you,' Joan said.
Joan then picked up the final rose and asked if he would accept it.
'Joan you will never be invisible to me. I'm going to tell you that I love you every day. I promise that,' Chock told her
'I look into those gorgeous eyes and I just can't believe this is happening. Because I still think, I'm in a dream and I'm just going to wake up. But Joan, I love you and I want you to be in my life.'
Chock and Joan then rode off on a boat kissing each other.
Joan and Chock are engaged!
The happy couple was then introduced to the live audience, with Joan showing Jesse Palmer the engagement ring
'Absolutely with all my love,' Chock said.
Joan then called her mother and showed her Chock and said he was her fiancé.
'I'm the luckiest guy in the world,' Chock said.
Chock and Joan then rode off on a boat kissing each other.
The happy couple was then introduced to the live audience, with Joan showing Jesse Palmer the engagement ring.
He also had a surprise for the couple, announcing that he was sending Joan, Chock and their entire families to Disney World in Florida.
They also showed a sneak peek at the next installment of The Bachelor, with Grant Ellis in the audience, who said Joan and Chock were, 'an inspiration.
Grant's season of The Bachelor debuts January 27 on ABC.
