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November 02, 2023 • bachelor insider

Charity lawson reveals how she spends ‘intentional’ time with dotun olubeko amid ‘dwts’ journey.

Thriving love.

Bachelor Nation fans saw Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko fall in love and get engaged on Season 20 of “The Bachelorette.”

Since their time on the show, the two have been enjoying time together with their family and friends and living in Los Angeles during Charity’s time on “Dancing with the Stars.”

During a recent Q&A, Charity opened up about finding quality time to spend with her fiancé amid her “DWTS” journey.

A fan asked if she and Dotun get to hang out much with having so much dance practice and show prep.

She said, “Yes!!! I try to be as intentional as I am with dancing as I am with my relationship. He is the most supportive in this chapter of life for us and for that alone I’m the most grateful. With a rigorous schedule, I try to squeeze in moments for us to enjoy together.”

Charity went on, saying, “I’m tired as hell, but you make time for the things you want and care about. A couple of weeks ago, we went to the movies for the first time as a couple since living together because we were in hiding for so long.”

The former Bachelorette also revealed how she’s enjoying the “Dancing with the Stars” experience so far.

She said, “I LOVE IT. This experience is like no other. So much fun, but SO much work goes into it behind the scenes. I’m learning so much about myself and my body and pushing myself to new limits every week. It has its ups and downs, but overall, this is the best thing I could’ve done for myself to grow as a person. Show days are the most rewarding and best part.”

Another fan asked whether Artem or Dotun a better dancer, and Charity shared a hilarious video of Dotun dancing.

She wrote, “This should answer your question, I would pay money for a dance off!”

Someone also asked the former Bachelorette if she’s watching “Bachelor in Paradise” this season and she said yes.

Charity wrote, “I sure have been! Feet kicked up every Thursday watching my friends act a plum fool — great TV if you ask me! I’m stepping down on the beach this week… foolishness!”

We love seeing Charity and Dotun so happy, and we love watching her thrive on “DWTS”!

Make sure to keep tuning in and voting for our girl each week!

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See Charity Lawson’s Emotional ‘DWTS’ Dance About Finding the ‘Love of My Life’ that Earned Her a 10

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'The Bachelorette': Charity and Dotun Talk Making Franchise History and Having Two Weddings (Exclusive)

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Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko are ready to start their life together. ET's Denny Directo spoke with the couple on Tuesday, following the season finale of  The Bachelorette , which saw the child and family therapist get engaged to the integrative medicine consultant.

"It's a sigh of a relief," Charity told ET of being out in the open. "We're just so excited. This is the moment that we truly anticipated and [have] been waiting on since the beginning, since we ended everything in Fiji."

"Watching all of this back, it's been exciting, a little hard at times, but now that we're just able to just live life normally, that's something that we both want," she added. "... This is what it's all about."

Dotun agreed, telling ET, "You go through these stages, there's the filming stage and then there's after, which we just got done [with], now it’s the long haul."

Keeping the secret of their engagement over the last few months has been a challenge for the pair. While many past couples have been open about donning disguises so they could be seen out in public together pre-finale, that wasn't an option for Dotun and Charity.

"He's so tall. We can't do anything," Charity said of her fiancé. "... We did maybe take a walk or two, but we didn't do anything crazy. It really is too risky."

Now, though, they're looking forward to living life side-by-side. For Charity, that means competing on  Dancing With the Stars . During her run on the show, Dotun will working remotely from Los Angeles to be there for Charity.

"We're so grateful that he is able to work remote, so he will be with me," Charity gushed.

While they don't want "a super extended engagement," wedding planning hasn't kicked off just yet. However, the couple does know one thing -- that they plan to have two ceremonies.

"The big question is, is there gonna be a big Nigerian wedding? So I think the answer's yes. We don’t know really when. We haven’t started truly wedding planning," Charity admitted. "We’ve talked about how long we typically want to, like, be engaged. We'd rather get married sooner rather than later. We don't want a super extended engagement, but right now we're just, like, enjoying it all. I think we'll have maybe two ceremonies, a big one and a more intimate one. We'll see. [We're] just kind of throwing things out and seeing what's the best fit."

As for babies, that's definitely on the horizon for the pair.

"We definitely talked about kids," Charity said, "like, when we want to have them, how many, how do you think you be as a parent, what did we learn from our parents' relationship growing up."

When it comes to what their parents think of the whole thing, Dotun told ET that "there's a lot of similarities" between his and Charity's families.

"They've been in contact over the last few months, but yesterday, it was the first time that everyone really got together in person," he said. "Our dads are just in the corners yapping each other's ears already. [Charity's mom] Vickie and my mom over there to talking, so it was really just a beautiful union of everybody coming together."

Watching his engagement play out on TV was an emotional experience for Dotun's parents.

"They were in tears. Obviously, they've been watching our love story, just as America has been," he said. "... They've been watching our interactions and loving it, but to see that moment for them, to capture it, they said there were a lot of tears there. They're just so happy."

Getting along with each other's family wasn't a foregone conclusion for the pair. While things went well when Charity met Dotun's loved ones, it wasn't totally smooth sailing when he met her parents.

"I really have to talk about that because it's like so many factors go into play of that," Charity said of Dotun's introduction to her family in Fiji. "My parents had just got there. They were tired, jet lagged, running on two hours of sleep. So it's all these things and factors that are playing a role into that."

In the end, they couldn't help but feel the love, something Charity herself had been soaking in since her date with Dotun in Oceanside, California.

"That convo changed really the trajectory of that whole journey for me," she said. "There's a lot that you guys actually didn't even see, but what was shown was still so powerful. That conversation lasted for a long time and we shared so much... I think that's why I was brought to tears, it was because he was not just saying 'I see you,' he was saying why he saw me and the things that he saw about me."

"I've never had that shared with me by anyone," Charity added, "so [it was] very life-changing in that sense and that aspect to just have someone that you met a couple weeks ago just really be observant about the qualities that he wants in a wife and a partner and seeing that in alignment with me."

By the time the pair's final date rolled around, Charity felt secure in her decision .

"It was the last chance date that sealed the deal, but I would say it started to really like click for me on our first one-on-one date," she said. "The bungee jumping date brought us so much closer together. Obviously, we're conquering a fear together and it's almost hard to go through that and not feel closer together. For me, obviously around New Orleans and hometowns that was kind of when I was really locked in. I was like, 'Yeah, this very well could be my person.'"

In addition to Charity and Dotun finding love together, they also made history by becoming the first Black Bachelor or Bachelorette  couple to get engaged.

"It's an amazing feeling for us to be in this position, to be the ones to kind of deliver this to the world, especially on a scale such as The Bachelorette ," Dotun said. "We're just so happy we represented ourselves and our people in what we feel like was a great light... We're just so grateful we were able to make this happen. It just happened by chance. We weren't looking for it. That's the best part."

"It's not something we had a set agenda [for]. This is not a check off the list. This is just our love story," Charity added. "We're just happy that it was shown in its entirety through and through for what it was, which is remarkable. I think a lot of people are gonna take away from our story and what we continue to share."

Despite all the challenges the couple faced to get here -- including Charity's heartbreaking goodbye with her runner-up, the new Bachelor   Joey Graziadei -- it was all worth it in the end.

"Probably one of the most eye-opening things about this journey was that I went into it being like, 'Everything is stupid and kind of fake. I'm just not a reality TV person,'" Dotun admitted. "But then I leaned into it, and I realized you can get a lot out of it if you're intentional and she's intentional. It ended up working so well."

"Even after filming we've continued to ask the deep and the hard questions, all that has brought us closer," he added. "I feel like we know each other very well, so now it's just kind of the fun part. It's figuring out the little things... so that's gonna be fun."

Charity agreed, telling ET, "Our love story is a story that I am certain can't be replicated anywhere else... When I'm around him I really, genuinely do feel alive. He is just everything to me."

Charity Lawson 's journey for love has come to an end. Bachelor Nation doesn't have to wait too long for more romance, though, as new seasons of both  The Golden Bachelor  and  Bachelor in Paradise  will premiere Sept. 28 on ABC.

Updates on Celebrity News, TV, Fashion and More!

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Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko's Relationship Timeline

The couple met on 'The Bachelorette' season 20 and got engaged during the finale in August 2023

Craig Sjodin/abc

The Bachelorette ’s Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko are putting their love in the spotlight. 

After meeting on the ABC reality show, the couple got engaged when Lawson gave Olubeko her final rose on the season 20 finale on Aug. 21. 

Since then, the two have given fans a look into their happy relationship, both in interviews and on social media.

Speaking with PEOPLE after their engagement , the couple reflected on their love story and how they made history as the franchise’s first monoracial Black couple. 

“Once me and Dotun really started to solidify our connection and it became firm that this man very much could be my husband, I recognized the importance, but it really didn't truly hit both of us until end of proposal,” Lawson told PEOPLE, with Olubeko adding, “It's something that's really beautiful.”

Now Olubeko is set to cheer Lawson on as she competes in the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars . 

Read ahead for their complete relationship timeline since filming The Bachelorette together. 

March 2023: Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko meet while filming The Bachelorette 

After being announced as the new Bachelorette during the Women Tell All special in March 2023, Lawson began filming her season later that month. On March 30, host Jesse Palmer confirmed filming was underway as he shared a photo of him and Lawson on the beach, with the caption, “And she’s off!!! 🌹 Charity is on her way to finding love!!!”

June 26, 2023: Charity Lawson’s season of The Bachelorette premieres 

A few months after kicking off filming, Lawson’s season of The Bachelorette premiered on ABC, showing the first time Lawson and Olubeko met. 

July 31, 2023: Charity Lawson meets Dotun Olubeko’s family on The Bachelorette 

A month later, Lawson’s hometown dates episode aired, showing her first interaction with Olubeko’s family. Lawson and his mother hit it off, with the latter warmly welcoming Lawson to the family.

“I adopted you already,” she said to the Bachelorette star.

August 21, 2023: Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko get engaged on The Bachelorette  

A month after their hometown date aired, Lawson and Olubeko got engaged on national television during The Bachelorette 's season 20 finale.  

When presenting Olubeko with the final rose, Lawson pointed to their time in Oceanside, California as when she saw their connection really start to bloom.

“We shared that incredibly special moment that changed my life truly forever,” she said. “When I looked in your eyes in that moment, I saw the man that respected me, that valued me, that adored me, [and] a man that I can love forever.”

“The love that we have is perfect,” Olubeko replied before getting down on one knee and proposing with a 3-carat diamond ring . 

August 21, 2023: Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko make their first appearance as a couple on After the Final Rose 

That same night, Lawson and Olubeko made their first appearance as a couple as they attended the taping of the After the Final Rose special. Following the episode, the couple also shared their well-wishes for Lawson’s runner-up Joey Graziadei , who was confirmed to be the next Bachelor . 

“We truly wish him nothing but the best,” Lawson PEOPLE. “We saw how much of a lover boy Joey is and how much he wants his person. I do believe that he is going to have no problem finding that. He is an incredible person. We're both rooting for him and rooting for his success.”

“He's very intentional,” Olubeko added of Graziadei. “And I think that's going to lend very well to the show. We're both excited to watch that journey.”

August 22, 2023: Charity Lawson posts about her engagement on Instagram

On Aug. 22, Lawson went “Instagram official” with Olubeko as she posted about The Bachelorette finale, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her engagement to Olubeko. 

“Within all my senses, I knew. How grateful am I to discover a love that cannot be replicated,” she wrote on Instagram. “This was in no way an easy journey. But through it all - grace. You have shown me, in the most healthy way, how to receive and love fully again. I cannot wait to take on this life with you. Here’s to living out our very own real life fairytale!!! I love you 💍❤️🌹”

August 22, 2023: Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko talk with PEOPLE about wedding planning 

Following The Bachelorette finale, Lawson and Olubeko talked with PEOPLE about their recent engagement, revealing that they hoped to move in together “as soon as possible.”

While they noted that they haven’t settled on a wedding date yet, Lawson said she wanted to have a year-and-a-half engagement and thinks she and Olubeko will tie the knot in 2025 or 2026.

“We're not really trying to have a super incredibly 17-year length engagement,” she told PEOPLE. “We obviously came here to find love, and we have successfully done that. So [we’re] super happy to get our lives started.”

August 31, 2023: Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko attend the US Open

Eugene Gologursky/Getty

In one of their first public appearances since The Bachelorette , Lawson and Olubeko stepped out at the US Open together, where they were seen sipping on drinks as they watched the match from the stands. 

September 6, 2023: Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko visit the Empire State Building together 

Days after their US Open appearance, the couple kept the fun going as they posed arm-in-arm for photos at the top of the Empire State Building in N.Y.C. 

September 15, 2023: Charity Lawson tells PEOPLE Dotun Olubeko will be her No. 1 fan as she performs on Dancing With the Stars

While speaking to PEOPLE ahead of her debut on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars , the Bachelorette star opened up about how she’s been living life as an engaged woman and how her fiancé has been her greatest support .

“Dotun has been great,” she gushed. “Obviously, we have been celebrating engagement and life after the show, so that's been a lot. But it's been all good. Honestly, we're really thriving.”

“He is truly my No. 1 fan,” Lawson added, noting how he’s affected all areas of her life. “He's been helping me with my diet, my wellness, all those things. Also, the mental and emotional too. He's always checking in, so I'm super grateful for him.”

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Charity & Dotun Teased Their Bachelorette Engagement Weeks Ago & We Missed It

The couple is skilled in the art of trolling.

Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko got engaged during The Bachelorette Season 20 finale — and while for many viewers it was an outcome written in the stars (or spoilers), Charity still struggled at the end choosing between Dotun and runner-up Joey Graziadei. She even asked her mom for help, although her mother wouldn’t budge .

The show further complicated matters when it revealed that Charity’s family was generous with their praise for Joey but seemingly quieter about their feelings for Dotun. (After the finale, Charity wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the edit of her family was “completely inaccurate.”) And today, the couple tells Bustle that what didn’t make the cut paints a more positive picture.

“What was not fully shown — or what you guys didn’t see — was that my family did, at the end of the day, fall in love with Dotun, too,” Charity says. “Both my parents gave him their blessing, and my sister, after their conversation, was truly floored. She even said to me, ‘Dotun is truly in alignment with your purpose for life.’”

Those unaired moments, Charity adds, “would be helpful for people [to see, and] not play the comparison game.”

Still, the couple isn’t dwelling too much on their finale. Rather, they’re looking ahead — first to Charity’s turn on Dancing with the Stars, and then to a wedding “sooner rather than later.”

In the meantime, the couple opens up about moments viewers missed and their sneaky way of “trolling” fans before the finale aired.

Congratulations to you both! You’ve talked about upcoming milestones like moving in together and your wedding — but are there little things you’ve been looking forward to these past few months since filming?

Charity: God, yes, so many. I just want to go to the grocery store — Trader Joe’s, Erewhon, just walk in, pushing a buggy. We have some fun trips and things planned ahead. We both love music, so we’re going to go to some concerts. But other than that, we’re just basking and celebrating all things.

Looking back on your journey, are there any moments — even if they didn’t make it to air — that make it obvious you’d end up together?

Dotun: We were just so shocked at how our love jumped off the screen. We were so in the moment during the process, and so it was hard to really take a step back. But you got that glimpse at hometowns with my family. And as soon as we walked through, it wasn’t shown, but [my family was] like, “I’ve never seen you more yourself.” They came into it skeptical, one eyebrow up, but they saw us together and were like, “This is different.” That was the first glimpse of external validation. It’s been crazy to watch it back. And it’s a shock that neither of us quit it at Week 3 or 4, just run off. But that made the journey so much better, and we’ve never been more happy or confident than where we are now.

With Dancing with the Stars coming up, is there a song you would love to dance together to? Or one you just consider “your” song?

Charity: I love Beyoncé so I would love to dance to anything from Renaissance . But I love everything. The one I want to mention — and I absolutely cannot choreograph a dance to — is “Wipe Me Down.” [Laughs.] So we’ll save that for fun, intimate moments.

People love looking for social media clues while the season is still airing. Were you ever aware of fan feedback about hints and slip-ups?

Charity: Some of that was brought to my attention, but a lot of that was truly just me living life. I will be honest — I do like to troll a little bit, and we definitely have fun.

Were there any specific examples of trolling you did?

Charity: Maybe some Q&As [where] we played around with each other... I guess we can give one away. I asked him to fill in the blank of “Wipe Me Down.”

Dotun: And obviously, that’s her song.

Charity: Which everyone knows.

Dotun: So I answered that one on purpose and gave a little nod to her like, “Hey, we understand each other.”

That’s so sweet! Charity, you also wore the bracelet from Dotun’s mom on social media.

Charity: Yeah, that was not something that I intentionally did. That was a mess-up on my end. I was like, Oh, well, hopefully no one picks up on it. But I didn’t even know that would be aired in the hometown episode. So then, I’m like, Great.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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To Lorne with Love – Cameron Nugent is supported by mates Andy Lee and Samuel Johnson as he embarked on an extraordinary journey, running a staggering 153km in honour of his late wife, raising funds for cancer research.

Cameron Nugent an Australian actor/film maker and an old high school friend of mine, embarked on an extraordinary journey, running staggering 153km in honour of his late wife and to raise funds for cancer research. This incredible feat, known as the “To Lorne with Love” charity run, began at Grattan Gardens in Prahran, and concluded in Lorne, on Thursday.

As I reflect on our shared memories from high school, I am reminded of Cameron’s appearance on the television show ’round the twist’. Little did I know that later in his life, he would face this personal tragedy that would shape his life’s mission.

Cameron’s dedication to making a difference in the lives of those suffering from cancer is truly inspiring. In memory of his beloved wife, who lost her battle with cancer eight years ago, he has selflessly committed himself to this noble cause.

It was during his mid-thirties that Cameron crossed paths with Skye, and their connection was instantaneous. He fondly recalls her as the perfect person to make him a better version of himself. Little did he know that their time together would be shortened by the return of Skye’s cancer.

After only a few months of marriage, Skye’s cancer resurfaced, spreading to her liver. Despite the devastating prognosis, she fought valiantly for another five years. Cameron and Skye saw each day as a victory, cherishing the moments they had together.

During the charity run, Cameron faced his own moment of adversity when he tripped in a gutter, injuring his anterior cruciate ligament. Despite this setback, he persevered, completing the gruelling 23-hour journey. His determination and resilience are truly commendable.

Through his remarkable efforts, Cameron has managed to raise an astounding $100,000 for cancer research. This significant contribution will undoubtedly aid in the ongoing battle against this insidious disease, providing hope and support to those who need it most.

Cameron’s journey is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the human spirit. His unwavering dedication to honouring his late wife and supporting cancer research serves as an inspiration to us all. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Cameron for his incredible achievement.

If you would like to make a difference and still support this cause please visit https://www.mycause.com.au/events/tolornewithlove

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The Bachelorette finale recap: Our queen finds her king

Charity Lawson ended her "journey" to find "love" with the man of her dreams.

Kristen Baldwin is the TV critic for EW

Every once in a while, The Bachelorette gives us a happy ending we can believe in.

Let's recap!

After host (and daddy-to-be ) Jesse Palmer welcomes us to the Tealight Candle Thunderdome, where he informs us that tonight we'll meet the new Bachelor — and one "lucky" woman will be plucked from the audience to date him, or something. (More on that later.) With that, the action picks up where we left off on the August 7th episode: Aaron's back! And Charity is so stressed out, she's having acid reflux. "I care so much about him," says the Bachelorette. "This is insane. What are we gonna do?"

I dunno, send him home again? Aaron says he would "love to stay," and he seems genuine. But I'll be honest — at this point in Charity's "journey," you are not going to convince me that she'll keep him over Joey or Dotun. Even after she invites him to have dinner with her that night in her room. And even after this:

As for that dinner, it goes fine. Neither of them eats, of course (was there even any food?), but they have a pleasant conversation with plenty of smooches. The night ends with Charity saying she has "a lot to think about and a lot to process."

Dotun and Joey are also going to have a lot to process the next day at the rose ceremony, because they're walking in expecting to see Xavier — and instead in walks Aaron. The look on Joey's face is priceless.

Charity, you've got some explaining to do! And that's just what the Bachelorette does. "It's also been a very eventful week," she says. "Aaron showed up in hopes of just continuing to fight… I value and I cherish every single one of you all no matter what." All rightie then. Rose ceremony roll call!

Joey gets the first rose, and then… Wait what? Did Charity just say Aaron's name? She sure did, rose lovers. But it's followed by, "Can you come with me?" Yep, she's taking him out to the Bye-Bye Bench to dump him for a second time.

"I'm so grateful for this time that we had this week," says the Bachelorette. "Time wasn't on our side in where we needed to be." I love Charity, but this is pretty annoying. She had to know there was no way she was going to keep him around, so why waste his — and our — time with this charade? And don't say "because producers told her to," because I think we know by now that this woman does take orders from anyone.

Once again, poor Aaron is devastated, but he remains gracious and polite. "You just gave me hope for what my wife even looked like," he says, tears streaming down his face. "Charity, I'm always in your corner." Awwww, that's very sweet. Good luck out there, sir.

And so, the second rose goes to Dotun, who — bless him — looked like he never doubted that Charity would keep him around. Why would he? As his grandma said during their hometown date , these two are bonded from Heaven.

Look at this final two!

Well done, Ms. Lawson. Well done.

At this point, we cut back to the Tealight Candle Thunderdome, where Aaron — looking dapper in a purple (mauve?) suit — is waiting on the Hot Seat. Palmer asks him how hard it was to fly all the way out to Fiji only to face rejection again. "I'll tell you what, that 12-hour flight was the hardest part," says Aaron with a chuckle. "I was thinking the whole time there, 'What's going to happen?'" Aaron adds that he's "never put myself out there like that before," but he was also "not going to give up."

Neither are producers: They're sending Aaron to Bachelor in Paradise ! He seems a little too strait-laced for that beach, but whatever.

Back to Charity's "journey." It's time to meet the family, boys! Charity's mom, Vickie, her dad, David, and her sister, Mia are there to greet her in Fiji. (Alas, Nehemiah is absent.) The Bachelorette informs her family that she's in love with both Joey and Dotun, and immediately Vickie is on high alert. "When Charity said what she said about being in love with two people, it makes me feel uncomfortable," says mom, who notes that her daughter is not super "comfortable" with the concept of "decisiveness." Oh, boy. This should be interesting.

Joey's up first, and he's feeling confident. "To be honest, coming into this, I think she is thinking about choosing me as the person that she wants to be with," he says. "I just have those feelings from the conversations we have." Who can blame him? The Bachelorette is completely giddy around him, and it doesn't go unnoticed by her family. "I saw a connection in Charity and Joey when they sat down," says Vickie.

Mia sits down with Joey first, and she wants to know what he and Charity have in common. He says they both value family, which always seems like a cop-out answer to me, but whatever. I do appreciate that Joey brings up the topic of interracial relationships rather than leaving it for Mia to address first. "I love it," says Mia. "It's not a point of race. For us, it's about love, it's about heart, and about her being protected. So, if you're the right person, we have no problem with it." She adds that she's glad that Joey brought it up and seems to appreciate his assertion that the whole "I don't see color" assertion is "ignorant."

From there, Joey is off to have a one-on-one chat with Vickie. "My feelings for Charity are very real," he says. Mom wants to know what Joey likes about her daughter. "She makes me feel like I can be the best version of myself," says Joey. Mom LOVES it. "Upon your arrival today, I just see you as a very genuine person," says Vickie. "That makes me a little bit at ease as well." Okay, that's two "genuines" — one from mom and one from sis.

Unfortunately, we don't get to see much of David's conversation with Joey — just a brief glimpse of them discussing the NFL draft. But mom is feeling good about the day. "Joey fits in with our family just fine," says Vickie. "I think Joey could be the one."

Hold up, mama! There's still one more man to meet, and he's a keeper, too. But first, another detour to the Thunderdome, where Palmer "randomly" picks a woman from the audience — could she be the one who will be chosen to date the new Bachelor next season?

This is Leia, a lovely 23-year-old from O'ahu, Hawaii, who now lives in Los Angeles. She moved to California in hopes of having a wider dating pool than she had in Hawaii, but "it didn't get better," she tells Jesse. Hmmm… she's from Hawaii, and Joey is based in Hawaii… is this a hint that Joey is the Bachelor?

We'll have to put a pin in that question, rose lovers, because it's time to go back to Fiji. Charity still has no idea which guy she's going to pick, and she needs her family to offer a little guidance. Vickie, for one, is trying to keep an open mind. "I had such a strong connection with Joey, and that's my true feeling at this point," she says. "But it could be changed."

During his conversation with Vickie, Dotun says his connection with Charity has "come in stages," and that he's known he's in love with her for several weeks. "I'm a ruthlessly introspective person and I check in with myself every day," he continues. "I look for the holes in myself, and I haven't found any. And that is why I have so much trust and confidence in my relationship with Charity."

Dotun is obviously a little nervous, and though everything he's saying is clearly genuine and thoughtful, he's just not coming across as easy-going and comfortable as Joey did. That might be why mom is still leaning toward the tennis pro. She tells us that Dotun is the type of man Charity typically goes for, and "any time something is very familiar, that's easy." And she says as much to her daughter.

Specifically, Vickie tells Charity that in her opinion, she has more "pep in her step" with Joey than she does with Dotun — and the Bachelorette does NOT love it. "This is not something that necessarily sits well with me," says Charity. "My mind is really going a million places."

Maybe Mia will be able to give Charity the guidance that she needs?

"Joey makes you glow," says Mia. "I can see you have more PDA with him. But you laugh a lot with Dotun, real hard."

This really throws Charity for a loop. "I wasn't expecting that," she says. Does this mean she was leaning toward Dotun and was hoping her family would reinforce that choice? Maybe. Probably? Seeing that Charity is about to start crying, Mia rushes to add that she could see a relationship with Charity and Dotun working out. "I just have to get to know him a little bit better for myself," says Mia. "But I can see it."

Sorry, Charity, but you are just going to have to make this choice on your own. And girl, you're in a win-win situation here. As much as the Romance Industrial Complex likes to tell us that we all have just one soulmate, the reality is that there is more than one lid for every pot. Personally, I think she and Dotun are better suited for each other, but my opinion doesn't change the fact that Charity and Joey would probably have a very happy relationship, too.

Anyhow, after Dotun leaves, Charity goes back in to push her family for answers. "I'm literally a car stuck in mud. My wheels are turning," she frets. "I need someone to come give me a nice gentle push."

Unfortunately for our Bachelorette, her family is understandably not willing to free her from this emotional mud pit. "Either one would make a great, great, great choice," says Vickie. "However, you have to make the decision." Mom adds that she's not going to "do the comparison" because she doesn't want to hurt her daughter — and also, because she knows no one can choose a spouse for Charity but Charity. "We are going to support you in any decision you make," says David. But that's cold comfort for Charity, who is truly flailing. "When I leave you guys, I'm on my own," she sobs. "Mom, can you please share, like, just more thoughts?"

Short answer: No. "I don't want to say names," insists Vicki. Charity pulls her outside, thinking maybe mom will be more forthcoming without cameras in her face. She is not.

"But you've got to make that decision," Vickie continues. "Charity, you have to say it." It's tough for the Bachelorette to hear, but Vickie speaks the truth. Her daughter is an adult, and this decision is too important to let someone else influence it. You know Vickie's thinking, "Imagine if I said Joey, and then you all break up?" Time to put your big-girl panties on and choose a husband, Miss Lawson.

But first: The last-chance dates!

Once again, Joey goes first. He and Charity pop some champagne and talk about how well his visit with her family went. And then comes the ceremonial presentation of the Pick Me Gift™:

Remember when Joey and Charity had their one-on-one in New Orleans and the curly-haired man wrote them a love poem on the spot? Joey got it framed. Awwww, that's actually very thoughtful. It's certainly better than buying a picture frame in the resort gift shop. Charity LOVES it. "I love you," she whispers. "I feel so good. I got all that I needed."

Okay then! Does this mean it's over for Dotun? Nope! But before we can go to Dotun's last-chance date, we have to stop back in the Tealight Candle Thunderdome for a Bachelor in Paradise supertease. Rachel Recchia, Hannah Brown, and Katie Thurston are on the beach! Samantha from Zach's season learns she's expecting a "poop baby"! And the introduction of something called the Paradise Truth Box! Complete (and completely sleazy) chaos. Watch the preview here:

Now, back to Dotun and Charity. The next night, Dotun arrives for his last-chance date, and Charity says she's still "completely torn." They talk about Dotun's visit with Charity's family ("Mama Vickie had one eyebrow raised the entire conversation," he jokes), and then it's time for his Pick Me Gift™ — or really, gifts.

Yes, it's a keepsake trip down memory lane. The s'smores they shared at Skamania Lodge, the Fantasy Suite key, the immigration card he showed her during their first "real" conversation at the mansion, and so on. The final gift is a silver locket containing a baby photo of each of them. Oh man, that's adorable.

"The feeling he gives me is indescribable," says Charity. "But… my love for Joey is a love that is strong." In this moment, on the eve of proposals, Charity is overwhelmed and completely confused. She says as much to Dotun, adding that her final date with Joey is what's adding to her confusion. It's the first time she's ever talked about any of the other men with him, and it makes him nervous. "I'm actually kind of surprised," he says. "Yeah, kinda scary."

Welp, rose lovers, it's all over but the crying. Oh, and the Neil Lane product placement, of course. Here's Dotun's pick:

And here's Joey's:

Subtlety has never been Mr. Lane's strong suit.

It's proposal day, and our queen arrives looking, as Jesse Palmer puts it, "absolutely enchanting."

"I'm emotional right now," she tells the host. "It's been tough." Still, Charity finally knows who she needs to send home. "He deserves so much," she says. "But I have to let him go." And the unlucky fella is…

Awww, man. Poor guy. He has no idea what's about to hit him. Once at the Proposal Platform, he launches into his preamble ("I stand here now very confident that it hasn't just been your story — it's turned into our own beautiful love story"), and then comes the most painful moment: He starts to kneel, and she stops him.

Oof, what a punch in the gut. And yet, Joey keeps smiling, trying to stay composed while Charity lets him down gently. "I never doubted, never questioned how deep our love is," she says. "But…" At that "but," Joey nods his head, because he knew where this was going. "It's okay," he whispers, as Charity tearfully informs him that she found a "deeper love" with someone else. "Can I give you a hug?" he asks.

"My love for you is truly never going to go away," says the Bachelorette. "I want your happiness." Joey assures her that all he wants is for her to be happy as well, and they share another tearful hug. "Don't be sorry," he says, finally letting a tear roll down his cheek. "I'll always have love for you, Charity." With that, he climbs into the Reject Van.

Rose lovers, I know we've had our concerns in the past about Joey's authenticity, but I'm firmly back in the tennis pro's camp. Maybe I'm a sucker, maybe I'll be proven wrong, but I think Joey is a nice guy who really did think he was in love with Charity. And even though the man is clearly the next Bachelor (more on that in a bit), I choose to believe he was not auditioning this whole time.

Of course, you know what happens next.

Yep, we're back in the Thunderdome, where Joey has just watched his own dumping on a giant screen in front of a live audience. "It's raw, you know. That's the first time I've ever seen it," he says. "Truthfully, I blacked out during that time. I don't even remember a lot of that. It's something that you never think you're going to go to go through." Still, Joey is "eager" to see Charity and have another conversation with her now that emotions aren't running so high.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity to speak to you," he says, after the Bachelorette arrives on stage. "Just know how appreciative I am of everything, but I also want to see how you're doing because that's what I care most about." Charity, who just watched their break-up for the first time, too, says reliving that moment was hard. "It was not an easy decision by any means," she admits. "I was constantly going back and forth leading up to those hours… I left you with what I said in that moment, which is that I will almost have so much respect and love for you."

Man, are these two having the smoothest TV break-up ever? The audience keeps bursting into applause because they're just so relieved that Joey is no longer crying and Charity seems happy with her choice.

Okay, Dotun — you're up!

"You have been able to make me feel so incredibly special," says Dotun. "You have made me feel adored and validated and wanted. And to receive that from a woman of your caliber, Charity, I don't you will ever understand what that means to me. But I'm certain that I want to spend the rest of my life showing you."

Now it's Charity's turn to speak, and she begins by telling Dotun about how their one-on-one conversation in Oceanside changed her life. "When I looked in your eyes in that moment, I saw a man that respected me, that valued me, that adored me, but a man that I could love forever," she says. The smile that broke out on Dotun's face in this moment just melted my heart.

"You've made me believe in love again," adds the Bachelorette. "I want a forever future with you." Okay, big guy, start lowering yourself to the ground. It's your time to shine!

He gets down on one knee. "Miss Charity Lawson, will you marry me?" Rose lovers, you know she says yes. She wraps him in her arms, sobbing. "I love you so much!" Eventually, Dotun slips the ring on Charity's finger, and Charity pins the final rose on his lapel. Look at how adorable these two are.

You guys, I kind of think they might really make it work. What has this season done to my cynical, hollowed-out husk of a heart? How will I type the rest of this recap through my ridiculously happy tears?

Producers must have heard my pleas, because they immediately cut to the Thunderdome so Palmer could interview another potential Bachelor contestant. Meet Annie, a "certified life coach":

"I would love to be on The Bachelor ," says Annie, "because as anyone who knows me knows, I am a hopeless romantic." Well, being on the show would fulfill the "hopeless" part, at least.

Of course, just when I thought I was done crying, it's time to welcome our happy couple:

"We are feeling over the moon," gushes Charity. "We've wanted everyone to see our love." Dotun, meanwhile, says he was just "somewhat certain" that Charity would choose him on the final day, and he tried to go into the proposal with a "level-headed" mindset. "It was this feeling of either knowing that I was going to get the greatest thing in my life that I really wanted or being devastated and heartbroken," he explains. "That's a weird mix of feelings to feel."

Sweet boy, don't you know this show specializes in producing weird feelings? As for Charity's family, they're sitting in the audience and seem pleased with her choice. "I'm happy, I'm very happy for them," says mama Vickie. "I've seen the journey and I've gotten to know Dotun a little bit better, so yes I'm very happy." (Phew! Thank goodness we didn't have to endure another Barb-Madison situation .)

Palmer presses the couple on when they might get married ("sooner rather than later"), and then drops this bombshell: "We're sending you on a pre-honeymoon trip to Greece!" Oh, but the host isn't done with the surprises yet. He turns it over to Dotun, who offers THIS bombshell: "You're going to be on Dancing With the Stars , baby, let's go!" The best part about this announcement is watching Grocery Joe, who's sitting in the Thunderdome audience, get a flash of PTSD from his own disastrous time on DWTS .

At long, long, long last, it's time to meet our new Bachelor… Joey Graziadei ! Sure, we just saw him get his heart broken on TV, but the tennis pro says he is definitely Ready to Find Love Again™. "You have to take some time to get a little bit of closure. Watching Dotun and Charity's connection was enough for me," explains Joey. "It was nice to be able to see someone so special be with her." The experience, he adds, "opened up a part of me that wanted something so bad."

Now that he's ready to prioritize finding love, Joey says he wants someone who challenges him, someone to "do life with," someone who he can "truthfully be a partner with." His advice to the women who want to join him on his "journey" to find "love" is simple: Just "be themselves."

Well, Joey, the first woman to take that advice is sitting in the audience RIGHT NOW. It's finally time to reveal which woman will be heading to the mansion for The Bachelor season 28. And the "winner" is… Leia from Hawaii! She comes up on stage, where Palmer makes her stand next to Joey and make awkward chit-chat while he lurks on the side like "the creep eavesdropping in." Leia tells Joey that she thinks they have "a lot in common" and she's "excited" to explore a relationship. Plus, she's homesick for Hawaii — and he lives in Hawaii! It's a match made in TV heaven, right? Joey tells Leia she's "beautiful," and he graciously praises her for her poise under such unusual, live-TV pressure.

Did you think Palmer was done with the surprises? Don't be silly.

That's right, Leia! Next season on The Bachelor , they're doing Fantasy Suites in the first round! Just kidding, rose lovers. No idea what's in this envelope Palmer just handed Leia. The host says it's not a date card, but it will help Leia on her "journey" with Joey — and it will "absolutely change everything." Alas, she has to wait until stepping into the mansion on night one to open it, so here's hoping we all remember this in January when The Bachelor returns.

Welp, rose lovers, we made it. Are you happy Charity chose Dotun? Will you be watching her on Dancing With the Stars ? And are you already traumatized by hearing the phrase "poop baby" in the Paradise preview? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter @KristenGBaldwin . And as always, thanks for taking this "journey" with me!

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