Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the families of the remaining four suitors, Brandon, Rodney, Nayte and Joe, come to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet the Bachelorette in her hometown.
- Dec 1, 2021
AceShowbiz - Michelle Young met the families on Hometown Dates. In the Tuesday, November 30 episode of "The Bachelorette", the show brought back the Hometown Dates but with a new spin. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the families of the remaining four suitors came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet Michelle in her hometown.
Kicking off the night, Michelle spent some time with Brandon. He took her skateboarding as it was something he'd long enjoyed doing with his brother, Noah. Before meeting his family, Michelle worried about impressing them.
However, she seemingly shouldn't worry too much because Michelle and Brandon's parents, Carmen and David, bonded over their fondness for Brandon, fishing and basketball. "The fact that I can already picture our families hanging out and what that would look like says a lot," she said in a confessional. "I don't think I've ever met a significant other's family and just instantly saw how well our families would fit in together."
Brandon, meanwhile, was so sure that he wanted to be with Michelle. "I truly would marry this woman, man... I truly, truly, as a human being, want it to be me more than anything in this entire world," he said.
The next Hometown Date was between Michelle and Rodney, who brought her to an apple orchard for their date. In a confessional, Rodney admitted to "falling in love with Michelle." He added, "I have no problem getting down on one knee and officially making her my fiancee and my future wife. I would be the luckiest man in the world." When meeting his parents, Michelle told his mom that she liked Rodney's playfulness. Meanwhile, Rodney told his stepdad that his feelings for the teacher were "overwhelming."
Rodney's mom loved Michelle, but she could not help having "anxiety" that her son might get his heart broken. Assuring his mom, Rodney said, "I look at Michelle and I think she's worth the risk. I'm definitely falling in love with this woman."
As for Joe, who is also from Minnesota, he took Michelle to his high school. Last week, Michelle did the same in the last episode. After reminiscing about his high school days, Joe gave Michelle a surprise prom. "You said you were picked last, so I want you to know that you’ll always be picked first with me," Joe told her.
Michelle felt it was the "most romantic date ever." She shared in a confessional, "I don't know if anyone has done anything this sweet for me. This is truly showing me that Joe really sees me and understand me... This is probably one of the most fairy-tale moments I've had in my life."
It was time to meet his family. Michelle gushed over Joe's "quiet confidence" to his mom, dad, brother and sister-in-law. Joe told his brother and sister-in-law that he's "falling for her for sure," adding that he's ready to propose. "My feelings for you are getting stronger and stronger," Joe said to Michelle. "I am falling in love with you. I feel like you are that special person for me."
Meanwhile, Nayte and Michelle opted to go paddleboarding for their date. Before meeting his mom Leanna and stepdad Charles, Nayte told her that his dynamic with his parents isn't "touchy feeling" and that he "never talked to them seriously about any woman before."
Michelle was seemingly thinking that Nayte's family dynamic was "a little bit of a red flag." Leana was concerned that Nayte had gotten "swept up in the process," despite Michelle telling her that she and Nayte "connect on so many different levels." Charles also doubted that Nayte was ready to propose.
"He doesn't know the difference between being in love and being married or being engaged. One's a feeling'and one's a commitment. They tie together very closely, but is he ready for that? I don't know if he can handle this. I don't know if he's gonna get to that point," Charles told Michelle. It worried Michelle as she said in a confessional, "Hearing from his family that Nayte could potentially have this moment of panic scares me."
It was time for the rose ceremony. Michelle decided to present the flowers to Brandon, Nayte and Joe. Unfortunately, Rodney was eliminated. "I know that we've had conversations about you being an underdog or you feeling like you're an underdog, and I need you to know that who you are is enough," Michelle told Rodney after his elimination. "I don't want you thinking that you weren't enough because that's not true. It's just feelings [are] moving quicker in other relationships. You're this amazing person, and everything that makes up Rodney is so special."
As for Rodney, he told her, "I am falling in love with you. I just need you to know that that's something that doesn't change easily. I'm always going to care about you, Michelle. Forever. I want to do anything to make you laugh and smile. Always. You're amazing Michelle, so thank you."
