Rachel Lindsay picked Bryan Abasolo at the end of her search for love on The Bachelorette -- and he in turn proposed marriage during Monday night's three-hour Season 13 finale broadcast on ABC.

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Rachel chose Bryan, a 37-year-old chiropractor from Miami, FL, over her runner-up Peter Kraus, a 31-year-old personal trainer and business owner from Madison, WI. Eric Bigger finished in third place and was eliminated after the Bachelorette's Fantasy Suite dates.

During a Tuesday conference call with reporters, Rachel and her new fiancé Bryan talked about the show as well as their current relationship now that they've been able to go public with their engagement.

Below is a portion of what the happy couple had to say -- including what went into Bryan's decision to pick a three-carat, pear-shaped Neil Lane diamond engagement ring with a halo and band accented with 80 full cut round diamonds.

Have you guys had a chance to talk to Rachel's dad about everything that's gone on? And how is he feeling about everything?

Rachel Lindsay: Well, Bryan had a chance to talk to my dad during hometowns in Dallas. And, you know, he hasn't -- you know, we still had to keep things a secret, but my parents obviously know who I chose.

They're supporting me, they're excited about it, they can't wait to get to know Bryan off-camera. And we actually have plans to do that. When all this is said and done, we're headed to Dallas for an engagement party and then to spend time with my family.

You mentioned wanting a winter wedding on the live portion of The Bachelorette finale. Could that be as early as this winter in 2017? And Bryan, what are some dream elements you'd like to see in a wedding? Because we always ask the bride these things.

Bryan Abasolo: Well, it wouldn't be this winter. I think we both talked about it and it would more than likely be in late 2018 or early 2019. And as far as what I want at a wedding, I mean, I'm a very simple guy. 

I'm thinking winter wedding, I'm thinking a white wedding -- maybe like a white-themed wedding. But honestly, I'm not really picky. I'm going to let Rachel handle all the details of the wedding.

Rachel Lindsay: He's a smart man.

Bryan Abasolo: She'll just tell me where to show up and I will be there.

Rachel, what would you like to see in your wedding? What are some of your dreams you've had since you were a little girl?

Rachel Lindsay: I actually was never that little girl. I never had, like, the fairy-tale wedding or this dream wedding planned. You know, I just wanted to find, like, my dream guy, which I have done that. And I just want it to be -- I do want it to be big, because I have a big family and Bryan has a big family. 

I want it to be in a convenient place where our families can get there, and I just want to have fun. I want to party. That's what I want from my wedding. I want it to just be everyone having the time of their life, celebrating life and love.

Rachel, you've been very adamant that you want to settle down and that you want a family. How many kids do you guys eventually want?

Rachel Lindsay: Well...

Bryan Abasolo: This is actually our one argument. She wants four, with the fourth being an accident down the line, and I want three.  So, those are the types of arguments we have.

Rachel Lindsay: We're having four.

Bryan Abasolo: And she'll probably win in the end and we'll have four.

Do you know how soon you want to start having a family?

Rachel Lindsay: No. I wouldn't say anytime soon. We definitely want to get married first and enjoy each other. But, you know, sooner than later. It's hard to say.

Bryan gave you a beautiful pear-shaped, Neil Lane designed ring. How did you fit the ring into your conversations with each other?

Rachel Lindsay: Well, Bryan, being the direct person that he is, he flat out asked me what I wanted my ring to look like. And funny enough, so did Peter. You know, for the person who didn't want to propose, he actually asked me that as well. 

But I told Bryan exactly what I wanted and he added his own little flair to it, too. And that's how I got the beautiful ring that's on my finger now.

Could you go into more detail about what "flair" Bryan added to the engagement ring? And Bryan, what was it like to pick out a diamond ring for your fiancee?

Bryan Abasolo: Oh, it was a very special moment. You know, I intended to do this once in my life and this was a big moment when Neil Lane came to the door. I've been watching the show, so I knew who Neil Lane was, so I was looking forward to our encounter.

But, you know, when he put the rings on the table, there were about seven to choose from. And when Rachel was talking about the type of ring she wanted when I asked her, she definitely had a list for me. You know, she had definite requirements.

Rachel Lindsay: It wasn't that long. (Laughs)

Bryan Abasolo: It was long enough. (Laughs) But, you know, I spotted a ring right away. That one stood out to me right away, and what sealed the deal was the halo of diamonds that was around the ring.

And the significance of that -- what nobody got to see -- was I believe in our second encounter at the mansion, I told Rachel that she's so easy to talk to that every single guy in that house would walk away from a conversation with her thinking they were getting a rose because it went so great. 

And I just think that's a tribute to, you know, Rachel's genuineness and the fact that everybody gets along with her. It's like America loves her and it's like she really has a halo on top of her head. She has this aura about her that everybody loves her.

So, fast-forward, one of our songs is actually "Halo" by Beyonce, and that's what I told her on that second encounter. And with the halo going around the ring with the diamonds, that sealed the deal for me. Some people don't know a lot of these little things that kind of, you know, go down that path.

To read what Rachel had to tell Reality TV World about her breakup with Peter, click here. Check back with us soon for more from Rachel and Bryan's interview.

To read what Peter told Reality TV World during his post-The Bachelorette interview, click here and here.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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