The Bachelor Week 8: Hometown Hoedown!

It’s hometown date night y’all!

The first Hometown Hoedown was with Lindzi. Ben met her at her family’s horse farm in Florida where they went on a carriage ride. She looked ridiculously country chic from head to toe, spurs and all. A style that makes me want to marry a southern boy. I rock some cowboy boots every now and again, but here in Ohio they tend to turn heads in a “huh?” kind of way.

Ben’s style was more country bumpkin than country chic. Not so cute.

Ben and Lindzi spent a nice afternoon / evening with Lindzi's parents, who, for the record, are fabulous. They competed in some carriage races (with the losers pulling the winners' carriage back to the house), had dinner and enjoyed smores over a campfire. Perfecto!

The next Hometown Hoedown was with Kacie B. And as we saw her walking into what had to be her high school football stadium, I saw baton twirling coming from a mile away. Recall Kacie was a majorette growing up and through college. What I wasn't expecting was the entire high school marching band. It was umm...an entrance alright!

After her performance, Kacie told Ben that the football stadium is named after her grandfather, who she really admired. She also told him how much she admired her grandparents' relationship and how much they taught her about love. She poured out her heart and soul and shared the story of her grandmother's passing. And Ben said, "Uh huh. That's great."

Wanna' know what's not great? Ben! Have I mentioned I don't care for him?

Ben, the Winemaker, then went to meet Kacie's anti-alcohol parents. While Kacie told them she's in love with Ben, they are skeptical, and rightfully so. They were very nice to Ben but he certainly ddidn't win them over! And I bet if they saw his youtube video, "Cream Dreams," they would be even less impressed.

Next Ben was off to Fort Worth, Texas for Hometown Hoedown number three, this time with Nicki. Their first stop was to a boot store. And the store was amazing...I need to go to Fort Worth immediately! After getting dolled up in their Texas gear, they moseyed over to the local saloon for a drink. Nicki thought Ben looked cute, but to be clear, I would have died a thousand deaths to be on a date with this guy...

Then off to Nicki's parents house, where Ben surprised me by being semi-charming. Either he's really comfortable with Nicki and she's the one, or he wasn't nervous because he's just not that into her. So, Ben won over Nicki's parents and I think Nicki's warm and inviting family helped Nicki score some much-needed bonus points with Ben.

Could Nicki be Ben's Southern Cinderella?

Last and least, Ben met Courtney in Scottsdale, Arizona for her Hometown HO-down.

Seeing Courtney with her family, hearing her tell them how much she cares for Ben, allllllmost convinced me she's a good person. But I know better.

And then Courtney took Ben to a park and she turned crazy. It's a park where she has always envisioned herself getting married. Then she forced him to write vows before they walked up the aisle to a pastor (?) for a fake wedding to recite said vows. They continued with the weird fake wedding, putting fake rings on each other's hands, kissing the bride, etc.

Honestly, I hope he ends up with Courtney. The other girls are too good for him.

In the end, the roses went to (in this order): Courtney (boooo), Lindzi, and Nicki. That left Kacie B, a season front-runner, broken-hearted. Ben offered Kacie nothing more than "I'm sorry," but I suspect it had something to do with her family's strong, conservative values.

He'll definitely be owing Kacie an explanation at the "After the Final Rose" show. And he'd better come up with something better than, "Well, the romantic overnight date nights were next and I was pretty sure you wouldn't put out."

My heart was breaking for Kacie as she cried in the limo, "I was stupid. Why am I not good enough? Like I don't get it." Kacie, you don't get it because it's not that you're not good enough. It's that you're way way way too good for him! In time she'll see that! And hopefully all of the other girls will too.

Until then, we get to go to Switzerland next weekend for a romantic getaway.

Have a good week!
Beth