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Season 20 | Episode Seven

Much like Chris Soules’ season, Ben takes the ladies to his hometown of Warsaw, Indiana. Thankfully there seems to be some sort of civilization here, unlike Arlington, Iowa. He meets up with his parents at a local diner, where they ask all the obvious questions. (Ben is falling in love with some of the ladies!) His mother’s apparent happiness for him being so happy makes me so happy, and it should make you happy too!

Ben talks about the remaining ladies: Becca who has seemed a little standoffish lately, JoJo who is beautiful and he can be most like himself when he’s with her, Emily who he is still trying to figure out, Lauren who he has always felt something was there but last week wasn’t great, Caila who is great but doesn’t know if she can fall in love, and Amanda who’s a shockingly beautiful, incredible woman. They say goodbye and he is off to see the girls.

He picks them all up in a boat and takes them to their house on the lake. He personally asks for Lauren to join him on the first one-on-one. The others are left there instantly envious while Lauren and Ben leave for their date. As any Bachelor fan knows, the week before the hometowns, there are no roses handed out on the one-on-ones, and one rose given on the group date.

Hometown Hottie

The two of them drive around Warsaw, go see his schools, his church, where he had his first kiss, and they arrive at the Baker Youth Club, where Ben used to work. Lauren gets to see a glimpse of how Ben is around children and she lights up and thinks he will make an incredible father. One of the boys, Ronnie, makes a bet that if he makes a half-court shot, Ben has to kiss Lauren. Such a punishment, I know! He makes it, of course. Ben has a surprise for the kids and out come some of the players on the Indiana Pacers. Apparently, Lauren played basketball growing up, so she and Ben played a little one-on-one. And they are adorable. I love them.

Back at the house, the next date card arrives. “JoJo, Let’s find love in the windy city. – Ben.”

Later that evening, Lauren and Ben talk about what happened last week. Lauren felt helpless and she didn’t know how to defend herself. He trusts her, though and everything is better. They go to a local bar, and Lauren knows she’s not in love with Ben the Bachelor, but in love with Ben from Warsaw. Aww.

Take Me Out To the Ball Game

JoJo knows she has to open up more today, and she wants to feel more confident than ever by the end of this date. She’s never been to Chicago. They go to an empty (duh) Wrigley Field. Ben’s a huge Cubs fan. Did he just call her Joge(?), I’m not sure I can get behind that. Aww, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins jerseys. A little premature, no? They play baseball.

At the house, another date card arrives for Caila, Amanda, and Becca. That means Emily is getting her first one-on-one, she starts crying because she’s so happy. She better hold on to this moment.

Back at Wrigley, JoJo says she’s been super nervous about things, but Ben thinks everything is great, so what’s up? She’s trying to open up and get closer to him, but she’s scared, the easier thing to would be to run. She doesn’t want him to feel like she can’t fall for him. But after they talk, she’s more #TeamBen than she has ever been.

Three’s A Crowd

This group is headed to a farm for some row boating on a pond. They fly kites. I realize how ridiculous that sounds, but that’s what they did. Don’t worry the date gets even more ridiculous later.

I don’t really feel any investment in these girls (maybe Caila), so I could tell you what they all talked about, but why bore you too. Anywho, Amanda gets the hometown date rose and gets to spend the rest of the day with Ben while Becca and Caila take the long limo ride back and think about what they’ve done to end up in the limo. Becca said she’s has gotten nothing, she means nothing, from him! And Caila is doubting everything as well. When they come back, JoJo is confused and wondering how he can give someone that much validation?

Back on the date that everyone wanted to be on, Ben takes Amanda to McDonalds. Yes, you read that right. McFrigginDonalds. This is the stuff dreams are made of! They both order Egg McMuffins, just in case you didn’t know you could order breakfast for dinner. They go behind the counter and take orders. They share a fry like the same way spaghetti was shared in Lady and the Tramp. See ladies, you’re not missing a damn thing. That is until Ben’s surprise for Amanda. He takes her to the fair in Warsaw, where he screams like a girl on the rides, share a cliche kiss on the Ferris Wheel, and she tells him she feels like the luckiest girl in the world now. The end.

Bright-Eyed Puppy

Time for Emily’s one-on-one! Caila called Emily a bright-eyed puppy, where everything is still so new to her, and she has so much to learn. Emily gets to meet Ben’s parents! Which is never a good sign when there is still this many women left, but Emily doesn’t seem to care. She’s super nervous, and it definitely shows. She just keeps talking, and talking, and talking, and telling us again that she doesn’t like vegetables. This is painful. Ben’s mom isn’t feeling this at all and thinks she’s too young for this. Later Momma Higgins shares these uncertainties with her son, and it’s a done deal.

Ben takes Emily back to the house, where they sit on a bench within eye-shot of the other girls, and they get a front row seat to Ben breaking her heart. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to hold back a tear or two.

So, who will the pleasure of taking Ben home to meet their family? Roses go to, Lauren, JoJo, and Caila! Peace out Becca. Please don’t try this again.