Bachelor Happy Hour - EXCLUSIVE Interview with Newly Engaged Katie Thurston & Blake Moynes

Episode Date: August 10, 2021

In this exclusive interview with newly engaged Bachelorette Katie Thurston and Blake Moynes, the couple share intimate details of their life after the show. Katie and Blake reveal what they’re most excited to experience together, what it was like watching the proposal again, and whether things would have been different had Blake come on the show at the beginning. Plus, what was going through Blake’s mind as he picked out Katie’s ring? Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast and the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier. Denials is easier.

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Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. Welcome back to our Bachelor Happy Hour listeners. And it is an exciting episode because we, of course, saw so much go down on last night's finale.

And I have my lovely co-host, Tasha, here, who not only obviously has been doing all the recaps with me, but Tasia, you are there. You hosted, which first, I have to say, you. you and Caitlin did a phenomenal job. I just love seeing you girls on stage. You just held down the fort. You did such an incredible job. Thank you. And so I felt like a proud friend watching you both up there.

But it was an explosive Bachelorette finale. I think one of the most explosive ones we've seen in a while. So I can't wait to hear your take on things because, like I said, you hosted it, you were there. You witnessed everything firsthand. So thank you for being able to recap. this one especially with us oh my gosh are you kidding this is the icing on the cake but it was quite an episode i cannot wait to talk to you about it but i'm also so excited for our guest for this week's episode the beautiful couple katie and blake are here and we're just going to be

able to ask them all the questions we've been dying to ask so let's get into it which we will have a lot to talk to them about and so i know each week we try to like recap what we saw go down and there's obviously a lot within this finale but ultimately there's just so much love so much happiness and that's why we're having blake and katie on so instead of like recapping each bit i really just want to get into like a major moment a major highlight for us and then just bring the happy couple on because that's that's that's why we're here that's why you know we do this season by season and so um i think overall i mean for you being on the season being able to watch the finale back and then also being able to host,

what was like your major moment or takeaway from last night's episode? You know, for me, I always say introducing the family into the mix is just so different. And that's what really brings the reality of it all. And I thought it was really, I mean, as much as Aunt Lindsay kind of just like

put me in my place, I thought it was really cool to see her just be so real raw and like straight with Blake and kind of just tell him, And, you know, this is the reality of the fact. Like, are you ready for all this? I just thought it was really as intense as it was.

It was just kind of, it was real. And I love seeing the love that she has for Katie and how protective she is. But I think the most surreal moment for me and like the fact that I was actually there for this season was being with Blake picking out engagement rings. It was really special. It was an experience I've never had before. but also just being able to live through that with him. It just reminded me of, like, my relationship

and, like, what guys go through in that moment. And it was just a really, it was really a touching moment. So it's something we've never seen before. Usually we have Mr. Nealane himself come, and I love Nealane. So I will say I did kind of miss seeing his face and his pizzazz, but it was so fun having you there sitting in that moment because not only do you bring a new perspective,

just being a female and a past lead who has gone through this. But it's something that you both kind of experience, I think, for the first time together of like Blake is falling in love or is in love with this woman. This woman is your good friend. And so I think it was nice that you two had each other to kind of go through that and show that moment. It was really special as a viewer, I will say. And I love change.

I love seeing new things unfold. And so I liked the fact that. And also, like, he was kind of struggling a little bit in that moment, kind of on the fence of like if he actually wanted to pick out a ring and get engaged on that day. So I think it was good that he had you. He obviously knew you and had some sort of friendship foundation in that moment. So I think you really helped him through it. Yeah, it was it was a little stressful. I am not going to lie. But also at the same time, like it was really cool seeing because like I know Blake from obviously from my season, but to see him like completely grow into this

person and then now looking for at engagement rings for a future fiance. Like, It was just, it was super special and I was so proud of him. So, but I mean, that boy really made me stressed out in that moment. I was, oh, we're going to talk to about it. I don't. Yeah, we will. We will grill him on that moment because obviously he is the one who decided to get down on one knee. But he had me shaken a little bit.

I wasn't quite sure what he was going to do. One thing I want to just talk about briefly during after the final rose was the, the explosive moment when Katie and Greg actually interacted. And I don't want to fix it on this because again, the show is about love. And we found that with Katie and Blake. We had this beautiful proposal, this beautiful engagement. Now, I'm assuming, happy and young and in love and about to live this great, incredible fun life and really start this relationship. But since you were there, I mean, because it was very tense to watch that interaction between Katie and Greg. I can only imagine what you and Caitlin were feeling in that moment? So take us back. Like how how heated was it?

I mean, truthfully, I think even Caitlin said something. We both noticed the second Katie was like stepped on stage that there was just a lot of tension. And I think it's also because at one point these two people really cared about each other. But also I really want to commend Katie for sticking up for herself and really just letting know, letting Greg. now, like how his actions affected her. And I think that that was like a really empowering moment just for women in general just to know that like, hey, I need to be also share my truth and like this is how I felt in that moment. And you abandoned me. Like, you know. So and also at the same time for Greg, I know that he was feeling all of the things as well. So it was a really tough position to be sitting in because you saw these two people really have a lot of emotions and feelings. But, um, yeah it was heated it was just i think like the how they ended and then playing into this last conversation that they had it just seemed like two people who were just did not communicate on the same level and just were not clearly not on the same page and i don't think there was

really going to be much resolution um i know the last sentiment that they shared was that they both wish the best for each other. And I hope that that is the case. I hope that they can move on from this and, you know, focus on themselves and Katie's new relationship and just, you know, leave it as I truly do wish you the best and take care. Time will tell. But I think from everything we saw after that with Katie and Blake, they seem very happy. So I think with that, we should just bring them on right now. I agree. I'm so excited to talk to you the newly engaged couple. welcome katie and blake you guys

I'm so excited we have the happy couple here congratulations to both of you how are you guys feeling I mean a little overwhelmed but excited that we finally got to this point

yeah we're just like we're just ready to start life like it's been great living in secrecy but we want to just start living life and that starts in a couple days isn't it so bizarre like obviously you went through

all of filming you had this limbo phase of when the show is now airing so of course you are in these hidden happy couple houses every couple weeks able to still see each other but did you hit a point throughout the past couple months while it's been airing where you're just like I am over this shit I just want to be in public like what was that moment for you or when did that happen I guess I should ask I think pretty I would say pretty early like you know it's nice like having these these happy couple houses but it's just you too and you just like Like, I mean, you want to celebrate with more than just yourselves. Like, and it's great to, like, get to know each other, but it's also, like, feels like a fantasy world a little bit still. Yes. And so you just want to step into the real world and, like, do those things. Go grab a coffee.

Like, hold hands in the car. Like, do shit that, like, the cute little things that, like, make you feel like you're truly in a relationship, in this case, an engagement. Doesn't it feel like it's kind of like you're living, like, a double life? Like, the one part of your life, you're so happy. You have this person and you're like, I don't know, doing all these things getting to know each other but then you like go back home and then nobody knows any of that and it's like am i dreaming yeah does that actually exist yeah i completely relate with that it's like you i remember being so

happy during that engagement but i couldn't even say my fiance's name in public or to my family i couldn't even say the name for a couple months and that's such like it's the weirdest thing that no one i think can fully understand um what like what are what's the one thing that's the one thing you look forward to most now that you are public and can be out in the real world that you want to do? I mean, just being out. We've been living in essentially like a box, which was our entire season as well. So just getting to get in a car and drive together. Our next step is actually we're going to Canada together. So I think that's going to just be really fun and excited to just be out in the real world, see his family, see his cottage that he talks so much about. Oh, that's so fun. I think it's

like sharing like the passions right like i think it'll be um fun to just go see what she loves to do and like see what makes her super happy like in the real world and then you know to bring have her come to my cottage and just do wildlife type things where like she sees me and my own and i think that'll really like bring things together for us just those things right so like how does it feel with the news being out there now and now everybody knowing how this thing ended is it like a ton of bricks have been lifted off your shoulders. Does it kind of feel like, okay, wait, we still have a couple of days of, like, craziness to get acclimated to.

Like, what are you guys feeling? I mean, for me, I personally feel like it's finally come full circle. I'm done. It's all in the past, which is watching it back is a heavy thing, reading about yourself and having to talk about it's a heavy thing. And now we're at a point where it's like, it's just him and I. We can just focus forward on, like, what actually matters and not have to keep reliving these, like, old relationships and have people dissect and try and figure out, you know,

who's it going to be. So it's just nice to like officially start, you know, our relationship as a normal couple. Yeah, I think it's a weird combination of being excited about like, we'll call it the peak or like the climax of what this is. And you're excited about this next couple days. But at the same time, you like, you just want to get through it. So it's a weird feeling. Let me ask you this.

So two part question here. One, Katie, you mentioned on last night's finale. that this was the first time your family was hearing that you were together engaged. What has the reception with them been like? I mean, they weren't really surprised. You know, they, given that, first of all, they only met Blake. So they knew there wasn't anyone else to consider. And with them seeing how we were, they knew no matter what that we were definitely together.

They just didn't know if it was an engagement or just as boyfriend and girlfriend. And so they're just really supportive. They trust my opinion and they just want me to be happy. This is one thing I wanted to say, going back to Katie, when you say, you know, it's been hard to have everyone's opinions and you have to read about yourself right now. If I can give any bit of advice that I think is pretty solid, I don't give great advice all the time. But now that this is finally out in the open, you've lived out your love story for everybody to see, I would say put your phones away for a few days. Like, don't log in, don't go on social media, don't go on any forums, just literally talk it under a pillow. and let it sit there for a few days and just soak in time with each other because it's so

important to just build that solid foundation away from everyone's thoughts and opinions and criticism because there's going to be some incredible stuff and so many well wishes coming your way. But of course, the harsh reality is like there's still trolls and haters out there that don't matter, but they're still going to say whatever they want. So just decompress, throw the phones down the toilet for a little bit if you have to. But really just soaking and enjoy the time together between the two of you because that's that's all that matters at this point yeah we're definitely planning on doing that but we've also battled our fair share of trolls and all those things along this way too so I think we're well equipped now to just be like literally Caitlin also said the

exact same advice advice like two days ago it's like any advice can give you don't look on your phones for like the next couple days and so to hear from two bad threats I'm like okay this is serious yeah same time you guys are going to be so happy and like being able to like enjoy your time and you're also going to be exhausted from all this stuff that you guys are doing that you won't really want to be interested in that kind of stuff yeah all is right in your world you're right next to each other that's all you need to worry about you know don't worry about i love that um okay so obviously we watched Blake it down on one knee last night we watched the beautiful words that you guys shared with

each other it i loved this proposal because it seemed like you had the serious heart felt mixed with the fun like spontaneity that you guys that we've seen I guess since Blake has joined the show so rewatching that moment back what was that like did it bring back all of the feelings again well watching it back I noticed it might not be as obvious to viewers but to me I wasn't sure he was proposing until he got down on one knee so as he's talking I'm thinking he's gearing me up to say like I love you but let's like wait you know and so I was just like really happy and like, okay, it's fine. I'm just ready to leave with him no matter what.

And then when he gets down on one knee, I'm truly just so shocked that it's happening. Because I had already in that moment accepted that he was not going to. And so I cry every time I watch it. It makes me happy. It was such a beautiful moment. And also what I will say, what made it too is you two cute kids were adorable and gave us all the feels. But then when Tasha and Caitlin came running into when you all had this.

moment together, which we've never seen on the show before because you've had now two other people, two other bachelors who have gone through the same thing. They know exactly kind of, Katie, what you have been feeling in certain moments to celebrate that love and that moment with you, I think made everything so special that I think it was a really great moment for all of us viewers to watch. Yeah, I love that they were there because it did feel like, you know, if we were being, he was proposing to me in the real world, you know, like you kind of have your friends and family hiding in like the bushes. And then when it's, you know, just say yes they come out and so it just felt like the perfect way to kind of like wrap that up

say our goodbyes to them because they had helped us the entire time and then like quite literally right off into the sunset yeah I think it was like the closest feeling you could get to be on the show like having feeling like you know two friends like being there like celebrated with you I don't think yeah if you think about I don't think you there's ever been that where no it's never happened no so yeah no that was it just it just tied in nice like it just uh what do you cherry on top wow that's american expression i didn't know Blake did you rip your pants did you actually rip your pants when you got on the horse

yeah so tight but I guess when they were doing the fitting Carrie didn't know that we're going to be jumping up on a horse so we made them like skin tight and when I jumped it literally slipped the side of my pants and that's the thing about his pants they were so tight I remember looking at his front pocket seeing like okay is there a ring box in there. And I didn't see a ring box. So even then, I'm like, oh, my gosh, you're good. I was like, it's not happening. But he had it behind it, right? And so I was like, okay. Like, I was already in my head like the second I saw him. I'm like observing everything

about him. Yeah. I would have never thought to do that. That's, that's sneaky. We can't overlook this and I can't believe I didn't. I asked about Blake's pants before I mentioned this, but Katie, you looked phenomenal. Your dress was stunning. So good. That color. Oh my gosh. I've never seen. Anyone, I think, on the show were a dress like that emerald color. It was beautiful. You look stunning.

Thank you. Yeah, I wanted to also incorporate his favorite color, which is green. And so when this dress was available, I was like, that's the one. Okay, so since you've finished filming, you know, I know it's been kind of tough because you have been secluded

in these happy couple houses. What's been your favorite part? Or what is something that you have enjoyed getting to know about each other while this has all been airy before, you know, you've gotten to this point. For me, it's not even about things I'm getting to learn. It's actually getting to, like, truly measure the progression of our relationship. Like, I remember our first happy couple how weird it almost felt.

And it's just like, oh, we're just here. There's no camera. It was like our first time really getting to be with each other. And comparing that to like this happy couple, we're just completely a different couple in general. We're a lot stronger. Our love is a lot strong and we know each other a lot more. It's just fun to be able to kind of see it progress each and every time. Yeah, I think for me, it's like, it's, it's been exciting because these little happy couples have felt like a sneak peek into what married to being married to her will be like.

And like the maturity, just the little things that she does start of the day. Like without, I don't know, I don't know how to explain it, but she's just very, just mature. She's just like, you can see how good of a wife she'll be. And, like, the little things that she does, even on daily basis, though, like through the face times and things, she's just very, um, this is the vocabulary thing comes in, but you can just tell, you can just tell where this is going. And I think that's exciting because it's like, it's now right around the corner, like I said. Isn't it crazy waking up away from cameras and being able to just like sleep in and cook meals together when you want and play, like do everything now on your own

terms without a schedule from the show, which is like all up to you. And that that's one of, at least for me, that was one of the most exciting parts. Yeah, I love that obviously having nobody around. And in some ways, even these happy couples still feel like a schedule because like, all right, you have this amount of time and then you're off to your own houses again. And so this week has just been like the best because now it's finally like truly no show, no schedules are true own life and agenda. What do you guys do? for fun because I know like well I could probably tell you what they're doing

for fun. Girl, then we ain't trying to talk about that right now. This is not that kind of podcast. Although I think or is it. Or is it? But no, just being in the house now like what are you guys doing for fun? Because you went from you know, kind of having

dates that were presented to you and ideas that would kind of bring you guys together. But now you guys are in the house like what are you guys doing to get to get to know each other like games or one of the trips we did actually bring a game called we're not really strangers which is how long love that such a good one yeah so we played that early on um but obviously since then we don't even need like that kind of support we just you know we're just together

enjoying each other's time typically these places have pools so we're just like relaxing and chilling yeah just hanging out she took my ass and beer pong out oh yeah that girl i i feel like I'm proud of her for that one. I kind of expected that. Like, have you been going back and forth between the happy couple of homes in Canada? Yeah, which has been a nightmare because I've been living basically the summer in quarantine. Because we have to quarantine 14 days when we'd get home. So I would go, we'd go have a happy couple's.

I would go quarantine for 14 days and then have like maybe four or five days off before coming back here again. So it's been, it's been a battle for sure. Wait, did you sneak to Washington at all? No, it's like impossible. You can with the border stuff. It's too much of a pain. And like, yeah, no. Bachelorette.

Caught. Played the border. That's how he gives it away. He gets caught at the border. Right? Okay. Katie, one thing that you mentioned in the finale last night is, obviously, Blake came in a few weeks late.

And so he didn't come out of the limo. You didn't meet him night one. So I think most people would probably have felt like you had to play catch up in a way. but for you two, the transition of Blake coming in, it just seemed so seamless. And you said he came in at the right time. Do you think had he walked out of that limo night one, things would have played out a bit differently?

I don't think they would have. I mean, the overall season, sure, but our relationship and us being together at the end, I don't think so. I remember, you know, meeting everyone the first time and I picture had I met him the same way he did, but it was the first night. It would have been the same exact feelings of like,

wow, this is instant. It feels so easy. It feels so natural. And I think what maybe stood out and I kind of had in his favor was he'd gone through this before. So there was a level of like chill with him in terms of like the cameras didn't phase him

and the environment, which then made me feel calm because I'm, you know, nervous as the lead. And so if anything, I wish he was there might want because that was a crazy night in general. But I think the outcome would have absolutely been the same. Yeah. Blake, do you think it would have been the same?

Yes, I think no matter how or when I came on, I had a certain level of confidence myself with having experience and knowing how this kind of works, but also the intuition I had about Katie, regardless of when I met her along the way, was going to be the same. And it would have probably all came out the exact same way. It probably honestly would have been stronger because I would have been there longer. And I think maybe the storyline of things maybe would have changed. But besides from that, no, it's good. Oh, I just thought of this. Katie, this is a question for you. So when he did come in late, you know, we saw you have the conversation with a group of

men saying somebody is coming, then, like, you're thrust into however many men were left, what, like 12 or 15 or something? Katie, did you ever feel like this, in that moment, like this level of maybe protectiveness or like, you know, don't go so hard on this man because I actually could see something with him. Like, did you feel that like the like stab of like, oh, like I want to take care of him kind of? Honestly, no. He's so confident in himself that I, not once was I worried about how he was going to handle it. I was actually surprised that overall everyone was pretty accepting of him.

But ultimately, I was like, good luck. I have my own things to worry about. Wish you the best. And yeah, he did just fine without me, you know, being there to protect him. It's funny, though, because Blake also knows what it. feels like to have people come in later in the game too so i think he even said that he's like i know the guys are not going to be very accepting of me and i'm just going to kind of just ease myself into there so that's really interesting though because he probably knew how to navigate it

a lot better because that happened yeah yeah i definitely remember what it was like when no Noah, Spencer, Peter, and Montel walked in. Yeah, everyone was pissed. You guys were not nice. Yeah, so, but I think, you know, there's a way I think Spencer came in and said, which one of y'all scared Claire away was the first thing you said, and I wasn't going to come in and catch that type of energy because I know what it did. And so I was just, I know, I think the number one thing in those type of situations

is try to be understanding and empathize with the other person because then you can navigate it better if you're coming in like thinking about just me at fuck it fuck them it's just not going to go well so i tried to empathize with the situation they were in and like just kind of like a backseat and just kind of let things kind of play out um and so and i mean i'm pretty personal i don't usually get at all invite guys and stuff so i wasn't too worried about once i could sit down and actually have conversations with the guys it was going to be okay they say Canadians are really nice and i mean it's very obvious that It's actually a thing.

Listen, so many of my girlfriends love the Canadians. I'll tell you what. So, Blake, if you have any single friends for some of them, let me know because... Well, I mean, do you like the brandon with the cockatoo hair? Don't ask me. I'll ask my girlfriend. Okay, going back to you, obviously, have already gone through this on a different season.

Besides the obvious of whoever the lead was, what was different about this time around being on the season? what was the most different besides from the leads you say yeah um i think the group of guys was a very different um energy almost it was like a yes you know we we talk about like the bromance of it um i wouldn't say there was like a lack of immaturity or maturity between the groups i don't know what it was just like the group of guys was just way more close like i was like careful on how i wanted to like navigate and didn't want to step on totally because people were very like sensitive about the time and things like that in comparison so um it was just i i think that but i would say that

would be the only like major difference aside aside from the lead like there wasn't wasn't much else yeah i guess because you lived in the bubble for both seasons it's not like you were on a past season where you were able to travel or crazy yeah yeah the weather i mean the weather i you know I was drenched in sweat every day going through the last season. This was, it just being that's the one thing. It adds to a full level of comfort. When you're sitting there having conversations where you're already nervous and then there's, you know, the heat on top of it,

it just makes things more uncomfortable. Then you're thinking about the beads of sweat coming down in your face, as well as trying to have a conversation on camera more this time. There's no, there's no heat I could just like focus. It was just more comfortable setting. Well, it all worked out. Look where we're at now. one thing that we've seen from Katie this entire season is and even on that season I will say is like she's always been very strong outspoken and Katie you've you've dealt with a lot through all of this like you've you know being in this position in general you open yourself up to so much criticism and you just are so vulnerable so Blake as her partner watching her go through all of this you know and having to really take on being the face of the franchise

how has that been like to support her through everything? You know, it's honestly been fairly easy because she's, she's just bold and confident and she just handles her shit. And that's one thing that we always talk about. I think that one thing that we like about each other is that we have such a confidence that I don't worry about how she necessarily handles things. And if she needs me, I'm always going to be here. But that's one thing that I really look for in a partner is that, you know,

wife's going to throw crazy things. And so I have a strong partner that really handles her own. but knows that I'm there, support her whenever I need, whenever she needs me, and vice versa. Like, you know, I don't want her to feel like a burden, like she needs to necessarily take care of me. We both have very confident personalities and handle things their own way.

And, yeah, it's been nice. It's just a maturity level there that I'm not, I haven't been used to. Katie, do you feel the same? Oh, yeah. I mean, when I think of any times that either him or I have struggled, because don't get us wrong, We definitely had times where we had to lean on the other person. It's just been nice to see how we are able to pull each other out of that dark space

of whatever it is that we're going through and really make it to what we've been calling finish line, you know? The one thing about us is that there's just a sense of how level-headed and, like, grounded we are. And we always, like, take a deep breath and just, like, think about what, like, just process it. what are we getting worked up for? There's no reason to it. We're fine.

And it's just like we both kind of have that where not one or the other ever freaks out about a situation. It's always calm conversation. And that communication's just been huge up until this point. I love that. It seems like you guys keep each other both very grounded, which is, I think, to complement each other very well. What has been one of the hardest moments so far up until this point for the both

of you? I mean, I think it kind of goes without saying the Greg episode is a heavy one for just numerous reasons. But what we kept doing with each other is reminding ourselves of like who we are today as a couple, you know, what that environment does when you're dating multiple people and how you're viewing each individual relationship. And that was something we were actually able to really get through together, which I think was kind of like the final test in our relationship, at least through reliving that experience, you know? That would have been the hardest part. and we were able to still get through that as well. Yeah, I would say probably the same thing. I think, you know, up until, I would say when it got talent down to like five guys,

like right before hometown, up to that point, I was like, you know, she's, you know, she's got to, you know, go through these relationships and is what it is. And I think naturally as it gets down to the last five, those are the more serious relationships. And so it, like, it's a little bit more weird watching those. But again, like, I would say, yeah, coming down to that last. episode with Greg just naturally obviously but again that's where it comes back to like just trying to empathize and understand what she's going through and not being like what about me like why do you say that if I was there because like put yourself in those shoes how do you handle it and

it's like I would have probably said and done a lot of the same thing so I can't be mad and look at where we're at now everything happens the way they should I never for one second doubted that it was me I showed up there thinking it was going to be me and ended up me and that doubt has never changed or there's never been any of that doubt so um it's been as much as it's been weird at times watching that episode we kind of blown over it like it affected anything did you did you both watch any of the episodes together or was that too strange did you have to do it separate there was a certain point where we started to watch them together um and i don't know i mean i don't think it was strange like we just you can't deny it

You know, so there's no difference to watch it separately or together. He might as well do it together and talk about it if you need to. So definitely at a certain point, we started watching it together and talking about it. And like you said, once it got down to like the final five, that's when he realized like there were other relationships. Because I think I did a really good job of kind of keeping everyone kind of separate. You know, in the group date setting, I was very like neutral towards everybody. And it was only in the one-on-one interactions that these guys felt like I was dating just them, you know? And so I'm going to see it kind of for the first time.

it was a little rough but you know like he said we've we've made it through and we're a lot stronger today than even we were when he proposed to me did did you guys watch every episode was there a time where you were just like I can't watch this and he turned it off and walked away I know he didn't really care to watch until he was on because like what's the point you know and then even like I would tell him like just so you know like this is a one-on-one with Greg uh you want to skip that you know, or like, by the way, this is what's happening, at least from my memory. And so I think he kind of got to choose which parts he didn't, didn't want to see. And then obviously, as we prepared for, after the final rows, we had to watch, you know,

whatever episodes we hadn't yet. And we were separate when that happened, but we were able to talk about it, you know, before going into filming. Okay, so Blake, you were the one man who made it to the end, but the only one who met Katie's family. Katie, I will say, I actually really enjoyed your mom and your aunt because they, I feel like it was such, like, kind of like a different take, I would say, during Meet the Families. Blake, when you were sitting chatting with her mom and her aunt, were you shaking in your

boots a little bit or watching it all back? Like, what was that like sitting there and now watching it back and, you know, knowing their take on everything for Katie's future? Yeah, you know, I was, I wouldn't say I was more, but I was told that, you know, Lindsay would probably be a little bit hard on me. Just that was the way that she was. And so Katie told me about that before going in. I didn't know, I didn't know that to the extent, I guess, that, you know, everything I said would be questioned to. So, I mean, the thing is, what that is, she's valid in her questions. It started with the first question, basically.

The first question you could tell that she, like, threw me to a little bit of, like, not shade, but like question, man. I'm like, okay, I can see what's just going to go now. And I'm just the first question of, like, this conversation we're going to have. And, you know, obviously it seemed like a lot of the answers weren't the correct ones. And you can see, I think, you know, watching it back, it's funny. You see my posture change where I started just, like, going like this because I'm just like, I can't win here.

I surrender. Like, I literally, my posture teacher's just like, I can't win. And I'm sorry, um, I, listen, she's, she's being a hard and she wants the best for Katie. And so she's asking the necessary questions. And although I didn't necessarily give her the answers, I think she's looking for I don't. I still to this day don't know the answer. So I can't wait to meet her person and ask what could I have said there to it to make it happy. And honestly, a lot of it, I think just.

has to deal with time and actually being together in the real world. And that's not something you can force and speed up. Like, you really just have to go into it now from this day forward and live together and, you know, see how you interact around others and in your daily setting. That's what you're really going to know. And that's how you're going to answer her questions is by her seeing you guys in like your relationship actually blossoming too. So don't be stressed about. She's just very raw and blunt. And I got a great. tasting that but I feel like out of any guy Katie on your season Blake is probably the best one to handle that yes oh 100% and it was such like validation that like this is my guy because

not only is he going to work well with me he's going to work well with my family because I feel like thinking of anyone else in that situation they would have been eaten alive you know and so for Blake to be able to kind of like dodge it but be okay with that like aggressive we'll call it a sense of humor. You know, for him to still be okay at the end of it, I was like, okay, like, he's good because the thing is, like, that is how my family is in the real world. Like, we would be at a barbecue and they're going to throw shade and make fun of each other and just kind of don't take things too seriously.

And so the fact that he survived, I think he's going to be great with meeting the family in my real life. Well, hopefully that was the hardest part. And now from here on out, they can just see the two of you together and how happy you are. I mean, like, it did seem like you charmed over her mother, which is a good first step. Okay, so getting into the proposal, we saw, and Tasha can chime in here as well, because she was obviously there helping you pick out the rings towards the end. What was going through? I mean, we kind of could see you on the fence a little bit of like, we obviously knew you wanted to be with Katie and continue your love journey, if you will.

I hate that I just had love journey. I know. continue along with Katie but it was that one like the ring the actual proposal getting engaged that I think had you a little on edge and so sitting there talking with Tasha in that moment bring me back to that like what were you feeling what was being like stirred up inside and then what was the moment where you were like nope we're off in doing this like I'm picking out that ring and I'm getting down on one knee yeah so yeah I think that's the one thing I make sure that it's clear it was ever a question of Katie, which is whether or not, do we get engaged now, right?

And the first conversation I had with Katie was sitting on that bench, the person I met her. And she's like, are you like, are you ready for an engagement of this? And I said, you know, I could see us getting engaged at the end. Like I would get engaged. And so, you know, it came down to a couple things. But when I was sitting there looking at the rings, when it becomes very real, it's all just a thought until that that ring box pops open. you're looking at you're like okay okay this is this is happening this is you know it's not just a thought anymore it's an action and this action speaks volumes depending on what you do with it

so um I just wanted to make sure I was making the right decision for both of us and not just like doing it because oh she wants to get engaged like am I am I ready are we actually ready like are we ready for this now and um it just came down to after I picked the ring I went back to room and I was like getting ready just thinking about it and I'm like I came here I had the intuition um I know what this is if you know I bet on myself coming here I'm betting on on our relationship taking off after this and and this being super successful like it just just kind of hit one when I was getting ready and I was like I'm doing this like this is what I came here for this is what she wanted and I was going to deliver I don't think I've well I don't know have you have

you, Becca, ever been with a guy as he's picking out an engagement ring? No. It is one of the most stressful. I have ever experienced just because you can tell that, obviously, Blake, you were so excited, but also at the same time, it's just a very real moment, I think, for someone to be like, holy shit, I'm actually going to propose, this is going to be my wife, like, there's just so much going through, you know, a man's mind, and I had never experienced that before. before like to the point where I was just like it made me honestly think about Zach like when

he was in that moment like it's just it's such a special moment and then I was so happy to be a part of that but just also Katie that ring is so Katie I like I loved it and he knew it like the second he saw it like we were just talking it was so funny because we were trying to imagine your little hand and my hand is way bigger than your little hand and you know we were just trying to talk about like the sizing and what it would look like and and and he knows you and he just wanted something so special for you. So I just want you to know in that moment. Like it was, it was tough, but also at the same time, like, you should have seen his eyes. Like, he's so in love with you. I was, yeah, I was, yeah. I remember that moment so clearly.

You see it on my face, too. Like, I'm really processing a thousand things in that moment. I know. I was like, hi, are you here? It was like gone. And then he was making me sweat. Like, he was like walking away. He was doing all these things. And I was like, like what's going on here and then it fast forwards to Katie you're obviously standing there I don't want to call it an altar but at the I don't even know what to call it like platform yeah platform and and Tasha and Caitlin are standing there as Blake's pulling up and I could like feel the nerves with Tasha and Caitlin being like we don't know what's going to happen my stomach just dropped and so I feel like as the viewer who had no idea what was about to go down I was just like oh my gosh this could go one way or this could go the other and what I was thinking is because Katie this entire time you've been very vocal about like I see my husband in this group I see an engagement out of this like I see all the things you know that the bachelor and the bachelor is and you never shied away from that you never were like no I don't know if I'm not ready for this or maybe I don't want to

get engaged you are always so vocal about it that I'm sitting there watching being like okay she hasn't shied away from this she's been very direct very up front so like this is going to be such an interesting moment to see how blake handles it was there any part of you katy that and i know you said you didn't quite know if he was going to get down on one knee and it wasn't until that moment where you knew okay this is actually happening if blake would have come that day and just said i love you i want to continue this with you but i'm not ready to give you a ring quite yet would you have been okay with that or where like where would you have gone like in your head and your heart yeah overall i was going to be happy to leave with him no matter what there was going to be this i don't know i don't even

know who would be towards that you don't i went through so much over the course of that time to then walk away with a boyfriend just like i could have just freaking been on a dating app at this point i'd have been a lot easier you know and so something about like an engage well obviously an engagement is like a very serious commitment versus a boyfriend and girlfriend. And so it just shows the confidence that he has in us, which I appreciate, you know,

like he said, he's betting on us of going forward. So it's hard to say, you know, I would have been happy, but there would have just been this little, you know, sting in my heart, I think, and I don't know how quickly

I would have recovered from it just because, again, I didn't go through all of that to walk away with a boyfriend. I could have just downloaded an app and avoided all of that, you know? Yeah. But you wouldn't have found Blake then.

I mean, it's my DMs, I guess. All right, you two love birds. There is so much to look forward to from here on out. From this day forward, you have all of the world to experience together. So what are you most looking forward to? What's next for the two of you? I think just living together and being in the real world together. You know, I just got a place in San Diego, but it's big enough for him and his pets.

congrats. He's in talks with Africa ongoing about the projects he's focused on. So just getting to kind of experience actual life outside of these little houses that we've been living in. I think it's going to be the biggest thing for us. Wait, so does that mean, Blake, are you going to be potentially moving into her place in San Diego? What are you going to say? Are we going to have a dual citizenship here? You're stressing me out. Yeah, no, I think the first trip will probably be going out there for, you know, a pretty extended period, I don't know, at least weeks, maybe three weeks or so, and just kind of see what that looks like. And then when I come home, I got to start making decisions because I do have pets that I can't just leave at my mom's place.

Like, I have animals to take care of and they need to be with me. And, but I also need to be with Katie. So, you know, it may mean that I need to, you know, get in my truck and drive across the country with a cat and dog in my truck. I don't know what it does. Like, yeah, I'll make sure to document that. So it'll be interesting. My cat's, like, a shit in the car. Oh. I was not expecting that. Yeah, but no, I think, you know, I think I think I think I'll be spending a fair bit of time in

San Diego at least to start. And yeah, let's see. I think we're going to make trips to Canada. I think probably my home base for the most part I make trips to Canada and the college when I can. Living in two different parts is really tough. But it could be fun too. You guys have to just honestly take it easy.

like don't get so riled up in it because it's really difficult and you feel like you're kind of living two lives again but um especially with the cat thing maybe Katie can like keep your cat too and then she'll just be a big cat lady I don't know there's just like ways to make it work

it's difficult yeah yeah it's all just ideas right now I think once we actually get started and seeing what it's like and we can make decisions right now it's just all ideas like what about this what about that if this happens it's all what ifs right so let's pull the trigger on one thing and the rest will just kind of unravel. Yeah.

Will Katie be able to travel to Africa with you when you start going over there? Yeah. So I think it's going to depend on the, so without getting too much into it, there's different projects and organizations that I want to go and do some work with. And depending on the types of projects and things, if they're more. Safe? Yeah, let's say like more like, you know, glamorous, not so like in the bush doing some crazy things. Then, you know, she'll come with me.

And depending on the type of. of projects where if it's like, you know, community involved in community engagement and things like that where it's education based and not like on the grounds doing the dirty work, then, you know, it would be great to have her come out and see some of that stuff with me. It'll be pretty eye-opening. And I know that she's been supportive

and all those products I want to do, which is huge for me because that's what I hope to be a big part about it moving forward. Oh, well, just, yeah, as Tisha said, you guys will make whatever is best for the two of you work. Don't feed into what anyone else says or thinks that you should do because everyone will tell you one thing and it's not going to work for you. So you'll figure it on your own.

I have all the faith that you will. I hate to be this person because I hated getting asked this question, especially right after the finale, but I got to do it because I want to be one of the first people to ask you. but any wedding plans that have been talked about quite yet definitely not I mean we like you said we got to figure out

kind of like our living situation and how we want to incorporate that into our lives and then you know once that gets settled we just kind of take it day by day we know we want to get married we're just not in a rush to do it right now because right now we're just dealing with like the border and COVID

and I'm moving and there's just so much like the wedding like size and weight you know the britt there are bigger things to focus on right now than planning a wedding yeah i get it hey i like i said i hate i hate to be the one to ask that question but got to do my job here you guys um okay we're going to get into a game because we love our games with everyone but before we do we ask all of our guests katy i'm sure we've asked you this several times when we've had you on bachelor happy hour but overall for the both of you what was your rose and what was your thorn of this journey I mean, without being too cheesy, my rose is obviously Blake.

The Thorn. What if she said something totally random? Like, not Blake. Tasha and Kinklin. My rose is the fact that, like, I got it right off on a horse after getting proposed to. My thorn is anytime someone was knocking on my door. Oh. I got PTSD every time I heard a knock.

I'm like, what now? You will have that PTSD for months to come. I still have it. Room service comes like, who's knocking at my door? Like, never knock on her door. Honestly, I know the feeling because Tasha did it to me. Tash did it to me, Brennan did it to me, Katie did it to me, all in the middle of the fucking night too.

So, yeah, the Thorne definitely is that. I think the other thing, too, would be coming into the house to face the guys all at one time and like to like come out and say like a speech it wasn't easy especially when like from face to face

you would see like a glare confusion fuck this guy like like like I was just like it was just a lot to process and manage the group because I knew that was going to play into how much of

you know fun time I was going to have there if I couldn't manage the guys it was just going to be a nightmare so that was the thorn just because I don't like this and people off but yes after that

I think the rose is just like coming in with the anticipation and an intuition of what this could be and it just like panning out exactly how you thought it was going to um you know i'm a very confident person and i like to like i have a lot of belief in things and this and i'm not right all the time this is one thing on the biggest thing um it did uh it did pan out exactly how it should have mm-hmm well i love that answer all right well like i said we love our games here in bachelor happy hour and it's clear since we've been watching this entire season, but also just chatting with you right now that you two

seem very much on the same page, which I think is such a good solid foundation to start off this relationship with. So we are going to ask you a series of superlative questions and you have to answer whether you think it's yourself or your partner. So basically we'll give you the question and then on the count of three, we're going to have both of you call out whether you think it's you or your partner's name. Okay. So Tasha, do you want to want to start it off? Yeah, I almost want to make them, like, be blindfolded, but it's fine. We'll do it with you guys. If this wasn't a podcast, that's what we would go. Go in, but. Okay. Are you guys ready? Yes. Who is the funniest?

One, two, three. We're both funny. I don't know. No, we need a name. This need a name. You. I didn't say you. That was all. Oh, my gosh. You. too. Okay, wait, this has to be rapid fire. Okay. Yeah. We're going to count a three, you have to like, no. One, two, three, go. Blaine.

Ew. Oh, my. Okay, we're gonna, we're gonna go on to it. Okay, next one. Who is the most romantic? Three, two, go. A blake. Yeah, I knew it's for sure. Whoa. She's like, yeah, no, it's you for sure.

What? Really? I love that. Okay. this is a good one who is the loudest Blaine yeah I guess well the most out there I think I'm actually yeah look at him he's already freaking out

you are the loudest okay okay all right next one who is messier oh me Katie oh really okay I love that

who is more likely to cook cook me you can't see but blake just pointed me as well yeah i saw that who is more likely to do the dishes blake maybe blake good job good job people on the same thing this yeah who takes longer to get ready yeah yeah who is more likely to get a speeding ticket Blake You can figure that Yeah but like Like a lot

No That is a lie That is a lie At two in one week Aside from that That's a lot Yeah Two in one week

That's not a lot I've had one of my whole life You've had two in one week Hey Blake That's not good In your defense When I moved to California I have never had a parking ticket

And I move to California And I swear I get one per week, one every other week. But parking tickets are very different than speeding tickets. Yes, that's true. But you know what? It's like 80 parking tickets. It's just, California is tough, man.

Okay. Oh, wait, Tisha, you're up. Okay, I'm ready. Who is a better dancer? No chance. I'm not. I just broke there and sway like an idiot. I don't know. I can't wait for your first dance after you get married. No, well, when you two dance together, when we saw you on the finale, that was cute.

You guys together, you're great. I whispered in here, I'm like, I'm going to do the twirl thing. So, like, it was, you know what I mean? Like, it wasn't like, I just knew to do it. I was like, this is what I'm going to do. Let's do this. So we have no rhythm. Is that right?

We can dance. We're going to sign you up for some ballroom dancing classes so you can just, you know, no, so you don't have to be vocal. You can just do it and lead her. Okay. We've got a lot to learn about it. other i i would say you get a bottle going um you know and then i become one of the backup dancers the pussy cat dog i love that okay keel says you can dance we are what kind of bottle are we talking about but that will come yeah i love also that you said the pussycat dolls like out of any

i know what's that type of music if it just gets me going sometimes you know the pussycat dolls yeah i got it i don't even want to i don't want to i don't you want to talk about. Like, you could have said a lot of people. Oh, my goodness. Instinct Backstreet boys, like boy bands, but he said pussy cat dolls. Speaking of music, who has better taste in music? Probably more variety.

He's like European techno. No, okay. No, he's stuck in the 2000s. He's referenced in the pussy pet dolls. Come on. Like I said, she got better takes. Let's leave with me. You really have no case, Blake.

I got, you gotta go. I'm sorry. Who's more likely to survive a zombie apocalypse? Me. Yeah. Me for sure. Okay. Who had this question?

Who is more PTSD from this past season? Probably me. Yeah, yeah. I gotta doubt. Blake's like, I had smooth sailing. I came in halfway through. I got the girl. You know.

Katie, just trying to let you know, I did try to, like, make him sweat, like, throughout the day. You did. You did, though. He does say that, actually. I really did. And honestly, I had your back into the entire town, like, step up, be a man, Blake. Yeah, he did. I was so riled after that.

I was. I really did. And, like, go out of me off the way. I'm like, what the fuck just happened? That's right. I did that. That's right. Okay, anyway.

So just so you know, who is more likely to initiate sexy time? I think me yeah there's a more dominant trait in me I think you know what honestly Blake from what we've seen with you in the past couple seasons yeah well Becca you know I don't know if you remember when we first met right it was an aggressive orgasm yes oh truth Oh my gosh I forgot about that I will never forget that date without you bringing that up And also like you didn't you make a penis

sculpture out of clay At 1.2 So we also just go back To the whole orgasm thing You like lifted your leg up and put it on Yes oh my God yes He was up on the podium Right

So listen If you're gonna fucking do it do it And look what happened you guys remember You guys know and you remember I don't know if that's something we want to remember Anyway, moving on, can we move on? Thank you very much. Okay. Okay. Who is the bigger dork? You. That's a cute. That's cute. Yeah, I'm weird. I'm weird. I'm weird. Okay. Okay. Who is more likely to get lost? on a road trip oh me yeah yeah it's okay katy all right last one who is most likely to steal

the sheets oh me probably he had starly sleeps with blankets like he's so hot yeah i'm outside the blankets all the time okay all right well that is the game a huge thank you to both of you for joining bachelor happy hour today katy i can't believe like i remember having you on at the beginning of Matt season. And it's crazy to think now we've come full circle. We've had you on several times, but now you are in love. You are engaged. And I can't wait to see what the future holds for both of you. So thank you guys for joining us today. Thanks for having us. Thank you. And honestly, Katie, I just want to say it was such an honor to be there with you throughout the entire thing. But I just want you to realize, like, how strong of a woman you are. And truthfully, like you

trusting your own gut and your own intuition as much as it sucked sometimes like the highs and the highs were really high and the lows were really low you prevailed and like truthfully like you ended up with the person I think that you're truly meant to be with and I think it makes it all that much better um at the end of the day like you're done with that part close that chapter move on you're so happy now and like don't want that shit ruin your relationship and get into it you know what I mean like you are incredible so Blake you're fucking lucky okay you got yourself a keeper yeah yeah definitely and then and this is where your life starts so go out go enjoy finally being in public shout it from the rooftops and we can't wait

to see where this life takes you both so proud of you both thank you what an absolute pleasure to have the happy couple on tisha what is it like like now seeing them together being able to be in public after basically watching everything unfold on her season. I'm not to lie. I feel like they're like my little children. Like I'm so it's it's they clearly compliment each other well and I just feel like that is her guy. And it's just so good. I'm so happy that they can actually experience life now. It is a little tough because it's the pandemic still. I feel like they're they're trying to figure things out like that. But I don't know, just them being able to go get coffee together. I think it's going to be like an amazing

experience for them. I know that was for me. So little simple things. I'm so proud. Like you said, I feel like they were meant to be. Like these two make sense. They ground each other so well. They complement each other so well. They support each other. So this is the time where it really like solidifies the relationship and, you know, why she had to go through everything that she did to get to this point. So I can not wait to see what their next steps are, how they make it work, getting their cute little fur babies together, all of the things. So a huge congratulations to Katie and Blake, thank you both for joining us on Bachelor Happy Hour. And I have to say, Tasha, this has been so much fun recapping this season with you, not only because I love you, but it's

been such a great, I think, behind the scenes to have you be able to do this because you were there with Katie, you know, helping her along this journey. You had so much more behind the scenes and Intel and just a great point of view. And so I have had an absolute blast doing this season with you. Unfortunately for all of our listeners, Tasha is going to be taking a little break from Bachelor Happy Hour. But fear not, we will have another great co-host stepping in next week when we began recapping Bachelor in Paradise. So I'm not going to give away who yet, but you won't want to miss it. So make sure you all tune in. Honestly, thank you. This was so. much fun. I mean, clickbait better watch out because I really like it over here on Bachelor

Happy Hour. Well, babe, you're welcome back anytime. Well, thank you. And it was so great being here. See you guys later. And an even bigger thanks to all of our Bachelor Happy Hour listeners. We love you guys. We couldn't do this without you each and every week. So thank you for tuning in. Please make sure to hit us up on social at Bachelor Happy Hour on Instagram and at Badge Nation pods on both Facebook and Twitter. And as always, please don't forget to subscribe to our podcast. You can do that on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, The Wondry app, or wherever you are listening to us right now. Thanks for another great season, everyone. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious.

Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast and the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the psychology podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion

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Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. No such thing. This is an IHeart podcast.