Tonight, after months of speculation and a whole lot of investigation into Instagram photos, interview answers, and whether or not someone peed in a pot plant, we finally found out the winner of The Bachelorette Australia and Sophie Monk’s heart.
The final two, Stu (separated, has four children and a vasectomy) and Jarrod (potential/definite stalker), flew to Fiji to meet Soph’s family.
Stu was up first – which confused us a bit as the loser pretty much always meets the folks first – with Soph’s sister jumping in to call him out about the rumours he’s a ‘playboy’ – the publican was quick to clear things up, saying he’s more than ready to settle down with Sophie.
“I’m extremely fond of Soph, extremely. I did come here to find happiness and I’ve found it,” he told her family.
Next up was Jarrod, who had the upper hand as he’d already met Soph’s parents when they pretended to be taxi drivers early in the season.
He also handpicked flowers for Soph’s mum – yeah, we see you, Jarrod.
The flowers obviously did the trick, with Sandy whipping Jarrod away for a private chat. Basically, Jarrod loves Sophie, Jarrod really loves Sophie.
“I was falling for her weeks ago and after the hometown visit I’d fallen in love with her,” he said. “Sophie has made it so much easier for me to just be me, I’ve put all my feelings on the line.”
After the lads left, Sophie sat down with her family to hear their opinions. “This is for you, this is for your future and you have to think about the rest of your life,” Papa Monk told her.
The boys then each got one last day with Soph in Fiji. Jarrod and Soph took a helicopter around the island with Soph, who is afraid of heights, saying: “I only like to sit in safe places. Like the couch.”
“This is definitely my favourite date”, Soph said as they ate lunch. Good ol’ Jarrod replied: “I love this date, this is definitely my favourite date.” The nation was seriously worried we were about to get another breadstick incident, but thankfully they pulled through.
Jarrod then told Sophie he’d never felt this way about anyone, ever – and we mean ever – bringing her to tears and seriously worrying us what would happen if Soph were to not pick him.
Stu was a little sweetheart at the beginning of his final date, saying: “I love seeing Sophie, I just get little heart flutters. I’m only human.”
He finally told Sophie that he’s head over heels in love with her and it was pretty darn emotional.
Soph was crying, Stu was crying, I was crying. We were all crying.
“I haven’t wanted to rush anything and have wanted to make sure of my feelings but I’m sure, I’m sure and I’m just in love with you.”
“You know my kids mean the world to me and I just hope they’re happy for their dad,” Stu said in between tears and man, oh man this is heavy stuff.
Finally, it was upon us, the final rose ceremony.
When Jarrod stepped out of the limo first, it became official: Stu Laundy was/is the winner of Soph’s heart.
Poor Jarrod had absolutely no idea what he was walking into and the entire nation braced to watch his heart shatter into a billion little pieces.
Soph started crying as she said, “in my head, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted but my heart belongs to someone else.” Jarrod then started crying and again, we’re crying.
After that painful process was over and done with, Soph had to compose herself because it was time to tell Stu he’d won her heart. Eeeeee.
“I wanted to find someone that I’d spend the rest of my live with,” Soph started. “I’m missing that one thing, I just wanted to find love.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said on your last date and you told me that I’ve put you back together again. That made me feel so happy because it made me realise that for a relationship to work both people need to support each other,” she continued.
“I have two really important things to tell you. The first thing is, I’m so sorry I misjudged you when I first met you, and the second thing is, I’m in love with you.”
“I love everything about you, you have rescued me,” Stu said between tears, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you.”
Crying. Crying again. Crying for the third time in an hour.
Congrats to the happy couple!
Stay tuned for our interview with the lovebirds tomorrow.
