JoJo finds true love in 'Bachelorette' finale

ByJennifer Matarese KGO logo
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Bachelorette now engaged to Jordan Rogers
Sandy Kenyon has more.

NEW YORK -- "The Bachelorette" finale was a doozy! Chris Harrison had Ben and Lauren, our happy "Bachelor" couple, and Chad from this season, in the live audience! It was great to see Ben and Lauren still going strong in their relationship. Let's hope JoJo can find the same happy outcome.

JoJo had narrowed it down to her final two last week, Robby and Jordan. This week, she would have to make her choice and send one man home heartbroken. We start off with JoJo meeting up with her family; yes even her brothers, in Thailand. She told her family that she thinks she is in love with both men and she needs their help to make sense of it all. Enter Jordan. He was up first to meet her family. He started off by telling them that he was a skeptic at first, but now he's a believer after meeting JoJo and their love sparked instantly. JoJo's mom liked him right away. Jordan took out a bag full of embarrassing hats for them to wear while they ate their lunch. Her mom is a bit worried that he is "liked by a lot of women". Jordan promised to her mother that he would never break her daughter's heart. "Absolutely not," he said. Her mom is a little concerned still that Jordan is too much like JoJo. They are both likable and the center of attention. Her mother Soraya said, "Who doesn't like Jordan, that's the problem."

During his time with JoJo's dad, Jordan said that the conversation didn't go exactly how he saw it going. He never asked her dad for her hand in marriage, and he really wanted to. Why didn't he go through with it?! She yelled after him as he left, "It went so good!" We'll see if she feels that way after they tell her he never asked!

Robby was up next to meet JoJo's parents. It looked like he toned his hair poof down a bit for the event. Her parents found Robby to be "gentle, soft" and they loved how genuine he seemed. He shared the story of how he told JoJo that he loved her and she really seemed to love how cherished she felt by him. Her brothers thought that he was definitely a great guy and in love with her. That's a big endorsement from her brothers! One of them really did want her to just keep in mind that she's picking out a husband, not a "New Year's Eve date".

Robby told Soraya that he wants to propose to JoJo and he plans to build his life around JoJo because she comes first to him. He said that their love "keeps growing and keeps growing." Robby then brought JoJo's mom in on the conversation with her father so that he could ask for her hand in marriage! He melted their hearts! How could her parents not be team Robby after that speech?! They told him that if she loves him they would be honored for him to join their family! How sweet is her father?! He cried when he hugged JoJo because he just wants someone who is perfect for his daughter and thinks that she has found that at last.

After both guys were gone, her family told her that Robby is more "husband material" than Jordan. They feel like he is the more logical choice. They said they all liked Jordan a lot, but Robby seemed more ready and committed to her. Because Jordan never asked they aren't sure of his intent. JoJo was shocked and clearly upset! She broke down and cried over her confusion. Her family said they were trying to steer her, but they didn't want to make up her mind for her. They said they would be happy with either guy. They just felt as though Robby was clearer with his intentions. She said that if she ended up with Jordan and things went bad, she'd regret not ending up with Robby and vice versa.

JoJo met up with Robby for their last date before her big decision. They swam in the water together and made out on the beach. It was a very romantic day that just seemed like they were two people in love. He told her that his life didn't start until she was in it. She told him his love for her was overwhelming, seemingly in a good way. JoJo felt really reassured and said that she could really see how much love he has for her, but does she love him just as much?

That evening, JoJo and Robby hung out in her hotel room and had some time to themselves to talk about the future and where their relationship is at. It seemed like JoJo was just saying yeah Robby I get it that you love me, stop telling me! I have no doubts! He gave her a little present and inside were some photos that he had printed and wrote on the back of each one what he was thinking in that moment. It was very sweet. JoJo said that she could see herself saying "Yes" to Robby when he proposes to her!

Jordan had a tough act to follow on his final date with JoJo. They boarded a huge boat and later got in a kayak and went into a cave! I don't know how she managed to have a great time with the big question lingering in her head, "Why didn't you ask my parents?" They kayaked around for a while and then ended up at a beach where they sat down to talk. She asked him what he thought of her family and he said he loved them all. He then admitted that he never asked her dad if he could marry her because it didn't resemble what he pictured in his head. He wants her dad to be sure it's what JoJo wants going into it. She told Jordan that she was really disappointed. They went back and forth on what it would take to make him comfortable to have that conversation and it seems like he needs to know he is the one first. She said she can't tell him that until the day of, so how could it work? It's really a tricky situation.

JoJo met up with Jordan that evening in his hotel room. He seemed happy and smiley to see her, but she got down to business quick and said that they had just hours to figure it all out. He said he's trying to make everything right for her, but he's ok taking a leap of faith for her to walk down that path day of to see if he's the one for her. JoJo said that she wonders if he's not being 100% honest with himself because he's afraid to lose her, and he might not be ready for an engagement. Jordan told her he wants to be on his knee once in his life. He said he will be on his knee and prove to her that she is the one and he said, "I'm going to do it." He promised her. He ended the conversation by telling her that he loved her and kissing her. She still seemed a bit shaky on how she felt though.

Robby met up with Neil Lane to pick out an engagement ring for JoJo. Neil Lane has been down this road before, and he brought some gorgeous sparklers yet again for the guys to choose from. Robby's ring looked like a round cut with a halo and side stones. Afterwards, Robby wrote JoJo a note about how he was feeling that day. Then, it was Jordan's turn to pick out a ring with Neil. But, before he did he called JoJo's dad and mom. He asked their permission to propose to JoJo! They gave him a resounding "YES!" Jordan's eyes lit up and he smiled broadly at that happy news. Then Jordan also wrote JoJo a note letting her know that he had their blessing! Jordan said he was "scared in the best way". Then he went to pick out his ring. He selected an oval cut solitaire with a diamond encrusted ring.

JoJo got ready for her big day and looked absolutely stunning in her ivory gown with shimmery accents and beautiful beaded high heel sandals. After she was ready, she read the letters from Jordan and Robby. Reading the letters gave JoJo a panic attack over her decision. It seemed like she was excited while reading Jordan's note and upset while reading Robby's because she knows she's about to break his heart.

The moment came, and the limo arrived, and Robby got out first! You know what that means. He walked towards JoJo and she looked upset already. She had tears in her eyes, but he's so in love with her, he didn't even seem to notice or understand. She told him that he looked amazing and he told her that she looked beautiful. She let him give his whole speech, and she seemed to be waiting for a moment to jump in. She said that she couldn't let him get down on one knee because, "I don't want to take that moment from you." She told him that she woke up that morning wanting it to be him and that she fell in love with him but "for some reason, my heart is somewhere else." He asked her what is missing, and she said that it wasn't the love, but that he deserves the type of love that he had given her. She told him that she didn't want to do this and she does care for him. Robby said that all he wants is for her to be happy. Aw! Poor Robby! She walked him out and she just kept crying and saying that she was sorry. He broke down into tears and said that he had to go. He gave her a hug and wished her luck. He told her not to "settle". He put his head into a tissue inside the SUV and cried as it pulled away. He said it was so awful to hear that she did love him but wouldn't let him propose.

At last! It was Jordan's turn to get out of the limo. JoJo's eyes lit up when she saw her guy. Side note: is she ever going to wear those shoes? Apparently they are just for show, sitting next to her on the platform on the beach. Chris Harrison continued to play it cool and walked Jordan to the beach. He told her how much he loved her and said that she was his best friend and soulmate. He said that he would "wake up and choose you every morning". She stopped him and told him that she loves him and that she's been waiting to tell him that she loves him. Jordan grabbed her and hugged her tight and she told him that she wanted him to know how she felt.

He got down on one knee and said "it's real, it's been real, I want to spend my life with you," Jordan asked her to marry him and she said, "YES!" She didn't forget, she asked him to accept her final rose, and he said, "YES!"

They said it was the best day of their lives!

It was then time to check in with JoJo, Jordan and Robby on how they are doing now during "After the Final Rose". Robby was out first and said that it was very tough to get over it and he still feels confused and disappointed. He said that he felt so confident that he thought that he was probably the last guy in Thailand and that the other guy would have been sent home already, even before the finale, but obviously that's not what happened. When JoJo came out, Robby asked her why she told him that she loved him if it wasn't him. She said that she wanted to let him know how she felt and give him closure. JoJo added that her heart was with Jordan and she couldn't imagine saying goodbye to him, so that's what pulled her towards Jordan. She added that he deserves that forever love with someone else, and he said, "I understand." It was so sad!

JoJo and Chris Harrison chatted for a bit and even talked about who the next "Bachelor" should be. Chad and his security guard were there again! He was like, how about me? Chris said; watch "Paradise" tomorrow night, "it's a train wreck!" It seems like it's between Luke and Chase for the "Bachelor" gig. We'll have to wait and see.

JoJo said that it's been a bit difficult not being able to share with the world that she is engaged to Jordan, and feeling like they have to prove themselves to everyone. She said that the tabloids have been terrible. They haven't been allowed to defend each other and that's been difficult.

Jordan came out on stage and reunited with JoJo for the first time in public. Jordan said that they were doing great and that they didn't get caught up in the experience, they have kept everything real since the beginning. They said they never even considered breaking up. Times have been bumpy, but now they are together and can confront any issues with each other. They pulled up some tabloids and talked about the terrible headlines, and it seems like they've learned to take it in stride and not let it affect their real lives. Then Chris Harrison showed them the joyful cover of "People Magazine" and they were so happy! Jordan revealed that they have bought a house in Dallas together! He said his bags are packed and he is ready to move! That's encouraging for sure. They even revealed they are talking about wedding dates for next year!

As for the Rodgers family feud between Jordan and Aaron, he said that they are excited to bring their families together, but nothing has changed with Aaron just yet. It's not a focus yet, but they are hoping to repair that situation. They just said that they are excited to pick out furniture together and get into a normal life together. Chris Harrison added that they genuinely seem to like each other, have fun together, and love each other so much!

Ben and Lauren shared their congratulations to the happy couple. He told them they will get criticism no matter what they do in life and they just have to stay strong and support each other. Bonus, JoJo and Jordan got a free trip together to rekindle their relationship where they first started to fall in love. Also, don't miss "Bachelor in Paradise" tomorrow (Tuesday) night on ABC!