Bachelorette Hometown Dates & A Bachelor Meet & Greet!

Before I start, I wanted to quickly mention my birthday party. This weekend, I turned the big 2-5. Since I was having my party at a NYC staple, "The Frying Pan," I figured, Why not invite Ashley Spivey, my favorite Bachelor/ette friend!? I need to give her and Alli Travis a quick shout out and thank you for stopping by! It was so nice of them both. Both Ashley and Alli were both contestants on Brad Womack's season of The Bachelor. They both stopped by my party for a quick "Happy Birthday" and both could not have been any sweeter. Thanks again!

On to the show...

Time for the Bachelorette hometown dates! I have to admit… It’s my favorite episode. We usually get to see one incredibly awkward family, a weird ritual and stuffed dead animals. Unfortunately, not this time. These guys all come from normal, wealthy, well rounded families. What fun is this!? None.

Before Ashley makes her way across the country, she gives us a quick recap of her feelings:

• Ben: Ashley thinks that Ben is a “real guy.” I think Ben seems like a “real boy.”
• Constantine: Something about him is so sexy to Ashley. It’s probably that she can’t get him so easily and he hasn’t fallen head over heels for her yet. She thinks that he’s the total package. Too bad he thinks that Ben is the total package.
• Ames: I remember nothing about this.
• JP: Ashley feels like she’s known him forever.

Okay, glad we wasted 15 minutes of my life recapping what I already knew. Thanks again ABC for wasting away my 20’s.

First hometown date goes to Constantine! Ashley meets him in a park and pulls a “Jillian,” running, jumping into his arms and doing the twirl. Constantine dressed up big-time for the occasion, rocking his newest American Apparel hoodie.

The first stop on their date is Giorgio’s. The restaurant seems cute… A nice mix of Italian, American and Greek, according to Constantine. Back in the kitchen, Ashley tries to make a pizza, full of Constantine’s toppings. Then they toss salad together. Uh-oh.

Next step, Cumming. (If anyone thought anything inappropriate while reading the last two paragraphs, you have a dirty mind.) Constantine’s family is super adorable. How weird would it have been if they told Ashley that her twin sister, separated at birth, was Constantine’s sister Maria? Wouldn’t have been too surprised considering they looked like twins.

Constantine’s mom thinks that they need more time together. So do I, Mrs. Tzortzis, but you know he’s on The Bachelorette, right? She asks Ashley if she’d be willing to relocate to Cumming and Ashley is on board. Constantine’s dad thinks that this whole sha-bang is bonkers.

Soon they’re joined by the entire Greek entourage. Love it! Great family, Constantine.

Moving along to Pennsylvania… Time to meet THE ROBOTS.

Luckily, Ames read my blog last week and burned his ADIDAS pants. He looks 100x better in the jeans/flannel combination. Thank god! On the flip side, Ames took a bottle of Jergens Natural Glow to the face and is borderline orange. His mom tells him that she thinks he looks healthy. I think he looks like Snooki.

Ames could not be any sweeter on this date, but his robotic ways are coming out around the family as well. If you talk to your mom like a robot, you’re a robot. I see where he gets it from though… Ames’ mom thinks that the world is their oyster. HE GET IT FROM HIS MAMA. It breaks my heart to think that Ames has lost both his father and stepfather… And it does help me appreciate why Ames is who he is.

Ashley mentions multiple times that their relationship has moved much slower than the others. AKA He’s getting the boot. She’s setting the stage.

*CHEESY WARNING: Ames gets a lot of credit for this quote – “There is so much more magic in the ordinary. Life isn’t all fireworks.” I loved this from him. I told my boyfriend that him watching The Bachelorette with me was “ordinary fireworks.” He basically told me to F off. Oh well, worth a shot!

FINALLY, time for the date with Ben in Sonoma! I’ve been waiting for this since he exited the limo. According to Ashley, everything about Ben screams sexiness. Chill out Ashley, it’s just the winery that’s screaming sexy. Bring on the Pinot!

This whole date is a little boring for me. Ben is great. Such a doll, fun, warm, but this date was a total snoozefest. They bond outside in the rain and then head in to meet the family. His mom and sister are nice, but the whole thing is a bit stuffy and sad for my liking. Not helping my humorous blog. I don’t enjoy crying during The Bachelorette.

One thought on Ben… He seems young for Ashley. I know he’s older than her, but he seems a little bit like a kid still and not ready for the whole 6 week engagement thing.

Last stop on the Hometown Train – Roslyn, NY! I was really hoping that JP’s cousin (my friend from FSU) would make an appearance on this date, but I’ll settle for the rest of his family. JP and Ashley meet in a park, straight out of Alice in Wonderland, and then head to the skating rink. This place is a dead ringer for Skater’s World. Anyone from Wayne, NJ will understand. It’s bringing me back to my 7^th birthday party.

Again, let’s all take a quick reality check. These two are in love… So much more than the other guys! They can’t stop kissing! This date is just precious.

Time to meet the Rosenbaums! Ilene cooks up some lasagna and I feel right at home. I love JP’s mom… Can I adopt her? She’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The perfect mother in law. She’s asking all of the right questions.

Ilene and Ashley have some one on one time and she lets Ashley know that she’s nervous that JP’s heart will be broken. ABC obviously edited out the part where Ashley says, “Don’t worry Ilene. I’m madly in love with your son and choosing him in the end. Legally I can’t eliminate three guys at the rose ceremony or I totally would!”

Brother Roy is cool beans in my book. Him and JP seem like they have a good relationship. I wish we got to see more of Mr. Rosenbaum.

OMG – JP’s Bar Mitzvah photo is to die for. The quaff is killer. Their babies will be so cute!

Okay, okay, honeymoon’s over. Back to Los Angeles! Ashley recaps the hometown dates for Chris Harrison. I take a quick power nap. She says that Constantine’s was the best hometown date. How dare she say that! Did she forget how precious Ilene is? Rude.

At the Rose Ceremony, poor Ames gets the heave-ho. In Ames fashion, they shake hands goodbye. I will say… Ames seemed more natural in the limo than during the whole season. I hope he finds someone to share his adventures with!

Who is your pick? Which family was your favorite? Would you love to see a guest blog from Ilene? Leave some comments!