Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple's love story was written in the stars. And we're not just talking about their ultra-compatible astrological signs - she's a Capricorn, he's a Virgo, if you know, you know! Their electric connection was impossible for fans (and her 23 other suitors on The Golden Bachelorette) to miss.
Vassos and Chapple, both 61, quickly found similarities in their stories the most poignant being watching their partners lose battles with a horrible disease. In 2021, Vassos' husband of 32 years, John, died of pancreatic cancer; Chapple's fiancée, Kathy, succumbed to brain cancer in 2022. Vassos in particular grappled with feelings she was betraying John's memory, even cheating on him. "I had this notion that I really needed to let go of him and move on," she tells Us, "and I couldn't do it." Ultimately, though, she was able to reframe her doubts and continue. Says Chapple: "We've talked about how our significant others wanted us to go on." He proposed, sincerely and tenderly, on a beach in Bora Bora during the Nov. 13 finale. "I never in a million years thought I'd feel love like this again," exclaimed Vassos. Us checked in with the school administrator (her) and the insurance executive (him) just before they went public - and celebrated their engagement with a blowout party following the live episode. Here's what they said about their Golden journey and what's next.
How has it been to watch the show back?
cc It's been incredible. Joan's done a fantastic job navigating this whole journey, not only for herself, but for the other guys who were involved. She did it with class and respect for everyone.
It's often hard for the last one standing to see the person they love having connections with others.
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