The Bachelorette : Finale and After the Final Rose

** Spoilers for The Bachelorette Finale and After the final rose **

Credit: abc

I can't believe it's finally time to see who Kaitlin picks. I know who I hope it is. I have been Team Shawn from the very beginning. Although it may just be because he is super sexy. Also I wanted to briefly say I have been hard on Kaitlin at times; sure not as hard as all the twitter trolls, but a bit mean at times nonetheless. After all is said and done I think she was very real and unapologetic in most cases which is actually refreshing. I look back and think she has actually been one of my favorite Bachelorettes. Whether it be her awkwardness her laugh/cackle or her fear of birds she actually made me laugh a lot. In a day and age where women constantly bring each other down you still have to realize this is a dumb "reality show". Meaning her mistakes, whatever they may be are not catastrophic nor do they deserve such an adverse reaction. I think it's safe to say the cyber bullying of Kaitlin will most likely come to an end tonight. I do poke fun at her and call her names but like she says in her blog she realizes that is going to happen but some people have taken things too far I would say. OK moving on...

Chris Harrison is there to make comments as we enter the finale. Damn it, I forgot we'd have to see more of him tonight because they always do these finales live. He says "shocking" a few times and talks about the "national controversy" and how the guys hate each other. OK we get it, thanks Chris!

The Bachelorette picks up with Nick mumbling as usual and the guys both talking about how "in love" they are with Kaitlin and are looking forward to meeting her family. Apparently I must be drawing a blank because I can't recall her family from Chris Soules season. (I think I maybe missed that episode last season.) Anyways, she admits to her family she is in love with both men. Her family is shocked to hear the last two men "haaate" each other. Her mom has a negative opinion about Nick and tells him as much as soon as she sits down with him. Way to go Leslie! She even goes as far to say he was "possessive, and came off arrogant" in Andi's season. Kaitlin also tells her family things had gone too far with Nick early on. Which makes him nervous but he wins her mom over later by forcing himself to cry as always! (Or so it seems that way to me.) Next Nick talks with Kaitlin's Dad and I can't help but feeling it all seems fake and rehearsed. Which is the exact opposite of how Kaitlin always comes off, meaning her dorky genuine self.

Kaitlin's family is now excited to meet Shawn but her mom is worried Shawn may be too jealous. The dad thinks Shawn seems very genuine. So true un- like Nick! Leslie talks to Shawn right away about how he may handle jealousy in the real world if he ends up with Kaitlin. Shawn says only reason it had been hard was because he had such strong feelings for her. Her sister soon tells her she is Team Shawn. Hell yes! Sisters know best! Shawn also talks to her dad and even brings her mom over too to ask for their daughters hand in marriage. They tell him he has 1000% of their support and their blessings.

Now Nick and Kaitlin must go on one more date, seeing as how unfortunately that's the way the show usually works. I won't say a whole lot about it though because I can barely bring myself to speak of Nick let alone hear him speak. I almost just fast forwarded all of Nick's date. She says Nick "brings out a side of her that no one else does." Uh oh I truly hope the writing isn't on the wall after that kind of statement. This is where shit starts to look bad for the other guy. Then they discuss their "journey" and Nick gets her a gift of a picture of them and a poem. She is very emotional after this and even says she can "see him as her husband." NOOOO! I just feel like Nick acts like he is trying to win a game show and not a woman. Am I off here? Am I the only one that still hates this guy? Please tell me I'm not.

The next day Kaitlin says she is "confused and looking for clarity." On her date with Shawn things are awkward right off the bat. I do notice Shawn doesn't always look at her when he speaks to her. Although I really wouldn't want someone like Nick that would be all up in your face anyhow. The date continues to be pretty painful and things are not looking good for Shawn at this point. He tells the interviewer he will not get down on one knee if he is having doubts. Good for him! They try to salvage the night and he tells her he thinks their lives will be amazing afterwards. She asks him if he thinks he will be able to handle watching the show back. He says he won't watch all of it but he will watch most of it. Then Shawn has a gift for her as well which was shockingly less cheesy then Nick's. Shawn gives her a memory jar of pictures and mementos from their time together. Phew! I'm getting hopeful again for Shawn but I am trying to staunch it so I don't get my hopes up. Just in case.

(Side Note: Nick makes Neil Lane feel visibly uncomfotable after he tells him an anecdote from last years season. Way to go Nick you suck at telling stories just hush!)

Oh neat! They are ending season back at The Bachelorette mansion in L.A.  I am freaking out now I can't wait to see who she picks!!! Nick is first one out of limo! Thank God! Nick gives her a speech. (Please don't let this guy propose that would be mean! Regardless of how much I hate him I think I would still cringe.) Oh good OK she stops him lol. She tells him she is sorry and "needed every second to figure it out." Nick says there is nothing she can say to make him feel "less confused." He turns his jerk button back on real quick and says she wasn't being real with him etc. Dude, lesson learned hopefully. Dont' go back on TV after you were already dumped by one Bachelorette! I am so freaking ecstatic she finally wised up and sent him home just three weeks too late but oh well.

Shawn looks nervous but she is smiling when he walks up. Yes I am a dork that was celebrating, loudly. Shawn gives his speech that was quite possibly the best one I've heard on this type of show in a very long time. She gives him an equally great speech in return. He proposes and they are now allowed to continue to be super cute together on instagram etc. Yay! Yay and Yay!

My Bottom Line (Including After the Final Rose) : Wow! After a tumultuous season to say the least, I'm glad Kaitlin went with her gut and her heart. Although I'm pretty sure her brain played a huge part as well. I mean have you seen Shawn! She really didn't need Nick around mid season and could have avoided all the drama had she stuck with the original guys. But I'm sure that's obvious and goes without saying. 

AFR: I really don't get why Nick's family is in front row of the after show. Like why! Isn't that just kind of mean. Nick= dick for letting his family go through that. Again! Chris Harrison sits down with the obviously happy couple. I actually hope this one lasts! I also hope that after they let Nick be a windbag and have the stage one last time he will go away and not resurface on any TV show ever again! So basically he interrupts Chris as per his usual just like a year ago. I feel like I am having deja vu. The guys agree they were both immature and took too much away from the season and extra Kaitlin footage basically. I also hope there are some of these Bachelorette parties out there somewhere that take a shot of alcohol for every time Harrison says "pre-existing relationship" (regarding Kaitlin and Nick) or "glossed over!" Kaitlin agrees she could have dumped Nick better but she didn't do it that bad. Shawn later says he will be happy to be able to defend Kaitlin from cyber bullies now that they can be public since show is over. I am off to go watch Jimmy Kimmel now to hear what funny things he will have to say and so I can get to see Kaitlin and Shawn be in a better environment!

OK is everyone else as happy as I am she picked Shawn?