The Bachelor Hometown Dates
Lindzi:
Lindzi takes Ben home to her element. First off, may I just say that this girl rocks her jeans and she’s so beautiful and sweet. How? How can Ben even see past her to look at Courtney? I just love her healthy, outdoorsy look for him. She’s got marriage material written all over her, and I’d like to see her as the next Bachelorette if Ben is indeed, the idiot I believe him to be.
I shouldn’t call him an idiot. He just hasn’t learned the painful lessons he has to learn if he picks Courtney. I guess they’re in Florida. It is absolutely gorgeous and looks like Kentucky. She tells Ben that she’s finally being vulnerable and he agrees that her walls are coming down. Girl, get some bricks!! Cinder blocks even. She tells him that she thought she was going to marry the man she was living with, but got her heart broken. I think they’re darling together. But seriously, I’d marry her if I got to live on that property. Dang! Life is good for Lindzi.
Lindzi’s mom tells Ben that their daughter hasn’t had a lot of dating experience. She’s an only child and they’re a close, healthy family. (Precisely the reason that she doesn’t belong on this show — and it makes me sad how far she’s fallen if he’s going to break her heart.) Dude, you are going to be the most hated man in America if you pick Courtney over her.
She just found out her parents got married in SF City Hall, where Ben and Lindzi had their first date. Made memorable by the fact that Matt Nathanson played. Her parents are darling and they have a carriage race. Dad does not give Ben permission to marry his daughter, but he does it in such a positive way, it takes Ben a while to figure out the answer is a resounding NO because I don’t think it was actually said. It was certainly implied.
Kacie in Tennessee:
Kacie greets Ben as part of a marching band — wha? Isn’t this the same girl who baton-twirled down the streets of Sonoma? It is, and we know so because…SURPRISE, she is twirling another baton as if this is normal behavior. Methinks she peaked in high school and needs to let it go. She proceeds to tell Ben her sad tale of woe of how much her grandparents loved each other…and died. Buzzkill.
Ben feels at-ease around Kacie (Read: Friend Card) Kacie lets it drop that she’s from the Bible belt and her dad is a probation officer who doesn’t drink. (Ben’s a winemaker) This reminds me of the weirdest Limo ride I had to a publisher where someone was coming back from Napa where he was building a winery and proceeded to tell me how the evil of wine had never touched his Christian lips. What does one say back to that?
What I wanted to say was, “But it’s okay to make cash on someone else drinking the devil’s brew? God’s okay with that?” But I refrained. I smiled and nodded. Back to Ben on his way to meet the parents. Kacie is talking to her sister, “That’s my future husband.” She has learned that you can’t settle. Worth the price of admission, Kacie. And if I were you? I would stay out of that fantasy suite.
Ben tells daddy that he likes Kacie and then says a lot of nothing about the man’s daughter. This is not going well. I love her daddy. He’s a good girl daddy. Doesn’t want to see any of them get hurt, but asks that if Kacie is not the one, please tell her asap. He hopes Mom will go easier on him.
Uh, nope! She tells Ben in no uncertain terms: you are not shacking up with our daughter. And Ben says, “Maybe we’re not going to see eye to eye on everything.” Um, Ben will not commit to marriage. He does, after all, have the fantasy suite coming up and Courtney is more than willing. Daddy gives his daughter a back-up sermon: You KNOW how you were raised…do not give away the milk for free essentially. She seems to be in love and putting the values on the back-burner. This is not going well with Daddy. He will not give his approval at this point in time. She’s angry that they’re questioning her knowing what’s best.
Kids, parents usually know best. I know that sucks, but it’s the truth. They have an awkward goodbye (Kacie and Ben) and she’s worried, and probably should be.
Nicki, Fort Worth, TX:
They’re going boot shopping. Nicki compares boot shopping to man shopping. This is a girl I could hang with. Ben looks RIDICULOUS! The people of Fort Worth are actually shouting at him while he walks the street. Hysterical. Nicki is also wearing bling on her shirt. Bling and boots. You go girl!
Their relationship seems a lot further behind the other gals. Nicki’s been divorced and this is a concern for Ben — not because of Nicki’s pain, but because Ben doesn’t want to get hurt again. That’s his issue. He wants to be in a position of power and that’s going to be an issue for any long-term relationship. If you’re not willing to let it all hang out and be vulnerable, you get the love you deserve.
Nicki’s parents have been divorced almost her whole life. Dad is not warming up to Ben and Mom says she likes him, while she glares at him. She’s concerned about Nicki getting her heart broken. She's worried about what Daddy thinks.
Daddy feels responsible for giving her hand in marriage too readily the first time. Nicki tells Ben she loves him. He looks like the deer in the headlights. That's not good.
Courtney in Arizona:
Wow, Courtney's home/family are extremely normal. So far. No one has spoken yet. The house is gorgeous; a sprawling ranch with Mexican touches. Lovely. Oh, they're in Scottsdale. Money. How come these rich girls have to go on the Bachelor? Can't they join a dating service?
Courtney's mother actually looks like a former cocktail waitress in Vegas. That is not a woman I'd want on the opposite team, so I can see a glimmer of where Courtney gets it. But she's said one sentence, so I'm being judgmental. Bad Kristin.
The sister talk: Courtney seems...human.
Courtney's dad says that marriage is life's greatest gamble, is he ready to make that decision? Ben goes into commitment-phobe mode -- which we did not see when he was buck naked at the beach, did we?
Courtney is talking to her mom now, who she says has the same problem trusting men that Courtney has -- isn't she still married to her father? That doesn't sound good. There is something disconnected about Courtney, even when she's talking to her mother. I do not get her.
They're having a picnic. RED FLAG!!! She says she has never been with a guy who has not betrayed her trust. Seriously, sometimes, guys cheat on women to get away from their Fatal Attraction style. If this happens regularly? I just don't believe it's just bad guys, Courtney might be a tad clingy/stalkerish. No?
Courtney plans a fake wedding and brings out rings, paper and a bow tie for Ben. The faux wedding is actually very cute and Ben's vows are lovely. Courtney's don't seem as if they come from the heart. I wonder if she is kind of Aspergery. I don't know, there's just something "off."
Ben's recaps to Chris:
Lindzi was raised by two wonderful people.
Kacie's parents won't let us shack up. I respect their opinion, but here's all the reasons I don't.
Nicki's was loving and welcoming.
Courtney away from all the drama that surrounded her. (Um, she's the weather system.) Courtney at home was the woman I know. Hope so, Ben. Hope so.
Someone's going home. I don't have the patience to wait for who it is. My guess? Kacie B because her barn door is not open for Ben. I'll comment on his pick later. Almost finished with the novella. It was not easy with the kids home today.
