Американский Холостяк #21 Nick Viall

barish

I was truly blown away with the news of Raven’s father being cancer-free. What an amazing blessing. I felt so honored to be with the family as Raven was given this news.

I remember sitting there in that moment, the room filled with so much love an emotion. It is moments like that one I shared with her family that helps you remember what is important in life.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I remember sitting there thinking that if I were to build a family with Raven one day, we would be lucky to have the bond that she shares with her own.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

When I said goodbye to Raven I could tell she was holding back a little. I know in her last relationship there was broken trust and it is hard for Raven to open up and allow herself to be vulnerable. None of that changed how great our time in Hoxie went, but I did fear a little that maybe she couldn’t get there with me.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Everything is bigger in Texas! And my feelings for Rachel certainly match that phrase.

Rachel and I had chemistry from the night we met, and she was the one woman who consistently made me feel like I could always 100 percent be myself. I’d also been looking forward to this hometown visit ever since our first one on one in New Orleans. Rachel could have planned anything and I knew I’d have a good time … but I never expected to go to church!

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

But I’d never been to a service like this one before. Church with Rachel was such an amazing experience.

Her church is full of life and energy, it was an amazing community, and one I felt so welcome in. It was really cool to be a part of something so personal for Rachel. Also I have to admit I said a little prayer in the hopes to impress her father, Judge Lindsay.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

As Rachel’s brother-in-law Alex stated, I indeed am a white.

But from day one, I’ve always been attracted to the woman Rachel is regardless of the color of her skin. I think the two of us have always focused on who each of us were on the inside and our chemistry. But as Rachel’s sister Constance said, we do live in a climate where race is a topic.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I really appreciated how candid Rachel’s family and I were able to be while discussing race, but I think it was clear to everyone that what we felt for one another was the only thing we cared about.
I had an absolute blast meeting Rachel’s family. Something you didn’t see was me meeting Rachel’s father. I completely understand and respect that Mr. Lindsay couldn’t be a part of filming – but we did speak at the end of the evening. He was very intimidating! I mean he is a federal judge, a man that I’d be proud to have as a father-in-law, and I can see where Rachel gets her character from.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Time to turn up the heat, because it’s time to talk about Corinne’s hometown in Miami!

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Shopping will NEVER be the same!

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Corinne decided to open up her world of clothes and fashion, and I’ll never look at my clothes the same again. Trying on clothes with Corinne felt like a romantic comedy movie montage.

Not every look was working for me – but man did I have a great time. Personally there were a pair of green horsehair shoes that I was very into, but Corinne put the kibosh on those. I’m pretty sure we settled on the best look, but I’m not kidding that I broke out in hives when the salesman ran that credit card.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

The moment Corinne told me she loved me was really special. We have come such a long way from that first kiss the night we met. Corinne is wild at heart but sometimes doesn’t allow herself to be vulnerable. Knowing how Corinne felt made me so much more excited to be meeting her family.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Walking into Corinne’s home it became instantly obvious this was her family without a doubt.

The energy and cries of love that broke out was what Corinne shares with me daily. So much had been leading up to meeting the people that raised this fun and charming woman, and they’re exactly as I imagined! Right off the bat, this family made me feel welcome and had me laughing right away.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I also want to go on record that Jim’s olive really was one of the best I’ve ever had.

Corinne’s parents were welcoming and very easy to talk to.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

When I finally sat down with the famous Raquel, it was like meeting a hero from a novel.

This woman has been such an important person not only in Corinne’s life, but a huge part of her family’s. I left Miami feeling welcome, knowing exactly how Corrine felt about me and looking forward to what lay ahead.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

The week of hometown dates had been going so great, and last but not least I headed up north to Montreal to see Vanessa!

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I’ve always been so impressed with what Vanessa does for a living, and I was really happy she decided to take me to meet her students.

The welcome we received from her school was unbelievable.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

The profound difference that Vanessa makes in these peoples lives is really touching, I couldn’t help but become emotional. It was so great to sit in her classroom and be a part of her daily life with her students.

Her class couldn’t have been more welcoming and props to the students for letting me bend the rules and steal a kiss from Vanessa during class.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

To see her in her element was impressive, and I was blown away with how special she is.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

But the love I saw that surrounded her at school was doubled the moment we walked into her family’s home.
Vanessa has talked about her family since the night we met, and I’ve been so eager to meet this big Italian clan! The moment we walked in I was hit with smells of rich food and the sound of people talking quickly in Italian. What a feast! Vanessa’s family was quick to welcome me into their home and feed me almost immediately. Lucky for me I come from a pretty big family so I felt right at home. Sunday lunches are a tradition for Vanessa’s family and something I continued to think I could get used to.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I visited both family homes that evening, Vanessa’s mom and dad’s. I know the divorce was really hard on her, but it was so clear that there was no lack of love. I respected the concerns and tough questions that each family member presented. I certainly understand the fear that her loved ones shared. I wish I could’ve had more answers, but this journey is complicated. I think that leaving that night it dawned on me that there are so many more conversations Vanessa and I needed to have. I just hoped Vanessa wouldn’t lose sight of what we had.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Visitingall four hometowns was a phenomenal week for me. I felt like I really got to know these women in much deeper ways. It was tearing me up inside that I had to say goodbye to one of them. I was still going over every detail of the past few weeks in my head when I heard a knock.
Opening the door to Andi was absolutely shocking.

No part of me could fathom why she was there. What could she possible want or have to say? The last time Andi knocked on my door she broke my heart. With such uncertainly going into the rose ceremony and how I felt this could all end, I was terrified. Catch up next week to find out exactly what went down.

Thanks for reading,
Nick

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Sharleen Joynt on The Bachelor: Episode 8

After nearly three years of writing these, I think you all know by now that I love Hometown week. Every happy tear has a bit more “oomph” behind it when you know it comes from a place of genuine love for one another and not something that could very well turn out to be fabricated and, ultimately, temporary. I must say that this particular Hometowns episode did not disappoint. We got a nice, healthy balance of heart and drama, and with the remaining women’s families in the mix, each felt more authentic and thus more interesting from the viewer’s perspective.

Perhaps one of my favourite things about Hometowns is how structured the episode—and thus my recaps—can be. Small joys, folks…

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Raven’s date was Hometown perfection in my eyes. It had it all: a side of her we haven’t seen (a sort of “bad girl” who sneaks up to grain bins and expertly drives four-wheelers), a bit of humour (her prank with her brother), some romance (I actually thought their makeout in the pond/mud/water situation to be strangely hot, and frankly, this moment had more romance than the other three Hometowns combined), and TONS of heart (her moments with her father).

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Watching Raven with her parents pretty much sums up one of the reasons I think we like to watch this show.

We feel like we know her, and watching her eyes light up to see her parents, or her palpable relief upon hearing her father was finally cancer-free, we FELT those things with her.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Rachel’s Hometown was unfortunately the one disappointment for me. I really didn’t feel this date did justice the chemistry or connection Nick and Rachel share. The date seemed to revolve almost entirely around the fact that she’s black and he’s white, from the fact that she took him to a “predominantly black” church to the (humourous) assumption that Nick wouldn’t recognize the food to the fact that every conversation revolved around them being interracial. Now, I LOVE that this was discussed, just as I loved how last week Rachel casually mentioned never having brought home a white guy. I especially loved how her sister mentioned racism becoming worse as of late, not better. No one’s concerns or answers were off the mark, but to me, it was a topic that simply took up too much real estate on this date.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Now, I can see this being a strategic edit since we already know Rachel becomes Bachelorette. Why dwell on their romantic chemistry when we know she doesn’t “win”? I’m also willing to admit I may not see the big deal here to the extent that I maybe should, partly because I live in a city where this truly is no big deal, and partly because ever since I was a little girl it’s been common knowledge in my family that when my parents were dating in the ’70s, they used to get stared at. Interracial relationships are perhaps more normalized for me than most. Again, don’t get me wrong, I love that the interracial aspect is being addressed, I just don’t see it as “the elephant in the room” and certainly don’t think it should be almost the ONLY thing (shown to be) addressed on this date.

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“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)