Hometowns must be such a roller coaster. I often think about how nice it must feel to be able to finally be with the person you are dating in a relaxed environment—you know, take them to places you like to go to, be able to plan dates, go to breweries and dance the polka rather than jump head off of a horrifying building on a rainy day.
But after this initial joyous experience, you then have to meet your spouse’s entire family. This is stressful in any relationship—let alone with someone you have been on like 5 dates on and on national TV. Not to mention, I highly doubt that all families are as cool as mine and greet their guests with jell-o shots and delicious snacks and a power hour.
Normcore Nick surprised me on this hometown. Loved that he took her to a brewery, and loved how he had a beer tap made just for them that said “Nick and Andi.” Touche, Nick. Touche. However the fact that Andi said she had never been to a brewery just angered me. She lives in Atlanta—homegirl needs to get her ass to Sweetwater.
Nick’s family is gigantic. And their meet and greet set up is horrifying. About 25 people were all standing around in a circle just staring at her and Nick sitting at a love seat. I die.
But I gotta get real for a second, here. Nick’s sister(?), not sure who this woman was because they are a whole brood of people, but anyways, she asked Nick a very simple question: “Can you be yourself with her? Unapologetically?” Love, love, loved this. Families never ask important questions like this. They ask superficial questions about if you’re theoretically ready for marriage or babies or blah blah blah. But this is what really matters. Normcore Nick just needs someone he can do him around.
Also, I couldn’t have loved this conversation between his little sister and Andi more. Get this chick a spin-off!
This was a great home town date. Really, really great. It may have even turned me on to Normcore Nick which I didn’t think was possible. I am concerned he’s going to get his little heart broken… He is convinced he’s going to get picked. I may shed a tear if he gets sent home, I won’t lie. But just a tiny one.
Next, we head to… Iowa. Could I live in Iowa? No. No, I could not. As hot as Chris is, and as nice as he is, I could not move to Iowa and become a homemaker. It would turn me into a horribly angry and bored human. And I think Andi is pretty similar that way. She lives in Atlanta, by choice. She likes doing things.
Regardless, they have this conversation about where they would live and where she could work, and I respect it. But I do think it’s all a show. Sorry, she’s just not moving here. She’s just not.
Also… This shit with the plane. I didn’t like it. If a man were to tell me he loved me by flying a plane across a field, I would not consider it romantic! It’s romantic to just say you love someone when you feel it, not to make a big show about it with a flying banner! Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I found it showy and corny. Sigh.
I don’t have much to say about Chris’ family. They were okay, they were sweet, they wouldn’t be a horrible group to be tied to forever. Though her mother seemed to get a little drunk and crazy when she started rambling on about babies.
My only question is what exactly did his mother mean when she said: “There’s no limits for a woman on a farm nowadays?” What limits were there for a woman on a farm before? Do I really want to be a farmer, anyways? Unclear.
Josh and Andi definitely make the most attractive couple. I mean, his bod just won’t quit. They also, undeniably, have the most chemistry. Again, because his body just won’t quit. But I’m over hearing about his baseball career, just over it. What does he do now, I ask you? Nobody knows!!
He is definitely a family man. I love a good family man, don’t get me wrong, but for him to cry after not having seen his family in a mere 6 weeks is just a little disconcerting. What was more disconcerting, however, is how pissed off Andi got that the family was talking about Aaron’s football draft before talking about Andi’s man draft. It is 0 percent surprising to me that the conversation went to the brother’s real life NFL shit before this ABC reality show. (Sorry, ABC!)
Andi clearly loves attention, and I don’t think she’s going to be the center of attention in this family. Not only was she upset about the dinner discussion, but she had some serious reservations about having to attend his brother’s football games, his first season in the NFL, with his entire family. What? That’s absolutely what you would be doing on Sundays. Deal with it! Embrace it! She had this weird pouty stupid face on the whole time. I think she’s over it.
In her defense though, I would be over Josh’s family too. Something about them irked me, like they all looked too similar and their furniture was just so bland. I could never see myself in a home or family like this, too much pressure and probably too many keg stands.
Last but not least, we head to Dallas to meet Marcus’ family. I always forget about little Marcus. I loved the idea of him taking her on a day in his life, and I had a few giggles to myself when I saw his nice car imagining myself on hometowns picking up the Bachelor in my PT Cruiser but that’s another story.
When Marcus started stripping… I was awfully confused. Is this really the flashback date you want to go for? And Andi, this situation is not every girls dream. But that body doe.
Marcus’ family seems the most, normal to me. Small, comfortable, easy breezy. I just liked the vibes I got in Marcus’ house. Maybe it’s just because they had cool throw pillows and candles—I’m easily pleased.
Not to mention that moment with Marcus and his brother on the couch. You guys, that was beautiful and genuine. I just fell in love. Marcus for the win, you guys. This dude is amazing. I never think people are legit on this show, and Marcus is LEGIT.
On a more somber note, tonight we also witnessed the moment where Chris Harrison informed Andi and the remaining four men that Eric Hill had died. This was extremely touching. It was all very real, Marcus leaving, Andi going to comfort him, Andi sobbing regrets about her last conversation with Eric. It set the tone for what was sure to be an extremely emotional rose ceremony. It was all very upsetting. I wished that the second she said she didn’t want to be in that rose ceremony room, that they had done it outside. It was too sad, it was too raw, and it was too emotional for everyone.
My heart was broken into a million little pieces tonight when she sent Marcus home. MARCUS. The only man this season to rock a scarf, the only genuinely kind dude, the stripper, the one who called her honey.
I am sad.
Marcus, I know you probably aren’t reading this, but I would really like to date you. I hate Texas and I would even go there for you. Can someone get this to Marcus? Please?
Anyways. I can’t even anymore with Andi, but I guess if you don’t feel it you don’t feel it. I really thought she and I were on the same page about Josh’s family, but maybe his hottness wins over all.
Next week we have the over night dates, which I really thought Marcus would make it to because of the whole stripping thing but whatever.
We’re Here for the Right Reasons: Bachelorette Recap, Season 10, Episode 8
