Raven Gates claims she went on The Bachelor for one reason and one reason only -- to find true love!
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The 25-year-old boutique owner from Hoxie, AR, recently revealed to Glamour that her parents have been married for 30 years and she dreams of having a healthy relationship like that one day.
"I have really high expectations for love," Gates admitted to the magazine.
The black-haired beauty was initially drawn to Nick Viall because he's been so vulnerable over the last couple of years on TV in regards to his own desire for a storybook romance.
"Somebody that's going on national television is really ready for love and has their stuff together when they are looking for a wife," she said.
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When reflecting back on her decision to appear on The Bachelor, Gates confessed, "I think I'm a little crazy" but also "a little too excited."
Although Gates anticipated the show being an "awesome" experience, she also had some reservations.
"I'm putting myself out there and I've never done anything like this before. When I first applied, I came out of a terrible breakup and didn't think I'd date again," Gates disclosed, referencing her relationship with a doctor that ended in February 2016 because she caught him having sex with another woman.
"But at the end of the night, when I'm all alone and by myself, I still want to be a wife and a mother. So I'm crazy to go on an adventure on national television, but I'm really that desperate for love!"
While someone like Vanessa Grimaldi went on The Bachelor because a friend secretly submitted her photo, Gates applied herself.
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"I did. I was sad and broken-hearted and all alone in my bedroom, and I thought, 'I'm going to put myself out there. So I applied," Gates confirmed to Glamour.
"I didn't know the Bachelor was going to be Nick, but I was excited when I found out it was going to be him. What's funny is that my best friend is obsessed with him. When I found out it was Nick, I was like, 'Please don't tell me anything about him, because I want it to be super organic when I meet him.' I mean, as organic as it can be!"
Gates insisted, however, her best friend won't be jealous if she ends up engaged to Viall at the end of the season.
"She said she won't be upset as long as I give her five minutes with him... [to] hug him, whatever! Give him a kiss on the cheek? She's already approved it with her boyfriend!" Gates said.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski