The Bachelorette's Jason Tartick has opened up about his experience dating Becca Kufrin on the show and how their relationship has changed his life.
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Jason was eliminated during Monday night's episode of The Bachelorette, and it was particularly tough to watch. Not only did Jason feel shocked and blindsided, but he was also madly in love with Becca and asked her multiple times to reconsider while being dumped.
Jason insisted his feelings for Becca were real and genuine, and he could barely hold back the tears during their final conversation together in Thailand.
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"This journey for love was not supposed to be easy. I left heartbroken, but the experience with @bkoof made it all worth it," Jason wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
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"Coming into this I had built up walls to avoid emotional risk. I completed this journey with a refreshed emotional connection, and a stronger alignment between my head and heart. I learned that it's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to show and share my emotions."
Jason continued, "This life-changing journey taught me how crucial it is to face your fears and understand what has sparked your pain. It's in confronting those emotions that we can find the right energy and positivity to share with our family, friends, community, and most importantly ourselves."
The 29-year-old banker from Buffalo, NY, who currently resides in Seattle, WA, said he's "extremely grateful" to his family for their "unconditional support."
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"I also owe a big thank you to my friends who have been so encouraging throughout this rollercoaster, including those who came to surprise me in Richmond and Hometowns. As surreal as this is to say, THANK YOU to the thousands of loving people who have sent comments, emails, messages and social media likes," he added.
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"Your support has left 'my damn cheek bones hurting from smiling so much.' Lastly, thank you, Becca. You made me a stronger man and put me in the right state of mind to find a best friend and life partner. You are an amazing person and as you know, I will always be rooting for your happiness. Love you all!"
Although Becca was certain she couldn't envision a future with Jason, she found his goodbye very painful and difficult, especially after he gifted her with a scrapbook of their memories and good times he had put together for her.
"The world needs more Jasons. I've never seen any guy be like that, especially after being blindsided. I knew he loved me, because he told me that, but I didn't know the extent of it," Becca said in Monday night's episode after Jason finally closed the door on their romance.
"I really hope he finds somebody, and I know he will, and she's going to have to treat him like a king. He deserves only the best."
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski