The Bachelor 10 Finale: The Final Rose, and a Ring

Oh, I’m excited! The big night. The big decision. The big engagement. The big finale!! This is going to be awesome. Although I’m not sure why, when we are down to only two women, it has to be the longest episode of the season at two hours. Geez.

Well, anyway, I’ve been thinking about it for a week and I’m going to make my prediction right now. Both ladies are fantastic, each in their own unique way, and it wasn’t an easy choice. It took some time. While I do think that Andy will have a hard time making the decision, I’m picking Bevin as the future Ms. Baldwin. Why, you ask? Because there has been serious chemistry between Andy and Bevin since the first night when he called Bevin’s mountain bike scars “so hot.” Bevin has never hesitated or held back, she has been full-throttle with her feelings from day one. Andy has always said that Bevin and he have electricity between them. They have a connection. I can’t ignore that and I doubt Andy will either.

I’d like to add that I’m not saying Tessa isn’t a great girl. Oh, no, not at all. In fact, personally, I prefer her. She’s smart and has a unique sense of humor. I think she’s awesome. I’m basing my choice solely on who I think Andy is best suited for. I just think he will pick Bevin. If I say any more, I will start to doubt myself, so let’s find out if I’m right!

We start the show by going through the step-by-step journey of each of the final two ladies. We see Bevin’s journey. Then Tessa’s. We’ve seen it. Or you’ve read my recaps, so we can move on.

Andy says he’s excited to take the girls back home to meet the family. He says he hasn’t been home in almost two years.

We see him arrive at his parent’s house. Mom opens the door and he hugs her. Then he hugs dad, sister, grandfather, and grandmother. The people he considers most dear to him.

His mother, Cynthia, tells us that she has sensed that Andy wants to get married and have a partner for the past two years. He’s ready to not be a bachelor anymore.

Andy asks them all to keep an open mind today, because they are meeting two women he cares a lot about and could one day be in the Baldwin family. They do a group cheer to “Operation Soul Mate” and I laugh out loud. Andy’s mom calls him a “goofball” and I have to agree. Still cute, but definitely also a goofball.

Andy tells us the last time he brought a girl home was eight years ago. Now, he’s bringing home two. He thinks sister Suzy will ask the toughest questions out of his family.

Tessa arrives and they have a hug. She says the overnight date brought them to the next level. She is excited to meet potential future-in-laws and see where Andy comes from and how he interacts with his family.

Tessa meets everyone and gives them all a hug. She tells us that she knows how much Andy values family. The person he is with needs to be able to fit into that.

Tessa tells the family that she’s from Washington, D.C. She mentions that her mom lives ten minutes away! Cynthia asks how long her mom has lived there. Tessa says four or five years. She tells the story of her mom meeting her step-father on the Inca trail.

Cynthia apologizes to Tessa for staring at her. She just thinks Tessa is so beautiful! Then Cynthia recruits helpers for lunch preparation. Tessa volunteers.

Cynthia tells us that her first impression of Tessa is that she’s bright, poised, very natural, and real. She was drawn to her right away.

Grandpa tells Andy that Tessa is a “viable candidate!” Funny! I’m laughing out loud again. In his day, he would have really liked her. Grandpa! You old hound.

They say grace and dig into lunch. Andy asks his parents to tell the story of how they met at Cornell. Dad tells the story. His roommate was dating Cynthia’s roommate and they somehow decided to have a trial date. They had a scheduled meeting time at the library. Dad says it was “love at first sight, over a reference manual.” Funny Baldwins.

Grandpa asks Tessa about her religion. Tessa says she was born and raised Catholic, but she doesn’t practice that much anymore.

Mama Baldwin changes the subject to Tessa’s field of work. She wants to know why Tessa got into social work. Tessa tells her that she councils at-risk kids in foster care. She likes the work because it has a commitment to social justice.

Cynthia asks Tessa where she sees her life in five years. She sees her life more settled and starting a family. She stumbles over it a little bit, but dad tells her that it was a great answer.

Tessa tells us that it was the toughest question the family asked her. She knows she fumbled. She would love to tell them, confidently, that she could see herself with Andy in five years, but she knows there is another girl. It’s not an easy question.

Andy privately asks sister Suzy what she thinks of Tessa. Suzy really likes her. Andy tells sis that Tessa is so adventurous and a traveler, but he’s trying to settle down. That takes commitment. He mentions the times that Tessa wanted to leave. Suzy wonders if that was about Andy though. He doesn’t know. Suzy is going to ask Tessa about it.

We see Suzy and Tessa take a seat by themselves at the dining room table. Suzy mentions Tessa’s reservations. Tessa says that she still has reservations, but when she is with Andy, she wants to be here. Suzy asks her if she is willing to move to Hawaii. Tessa says yes. When she is with Andy, she realizes that she’s had a void and she wants to continue the relationship.

Suzy tells us that she liked Tessa’s honesty concerning her reservations. She thinks Tessa is committed to Andy.