The Bachelorette star Becca Kufrin eliminated Colton Underwood from the running for her heart during Monday night's Season 14 episode on ABC.
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Becca eliminated the 26-year-old former professional football player after traveling to his hometown and meeting his family. Colton also expressed, "I love you," to the Bachelorette before she let him go.
"I'm shocked. I'm just confused. I just did not see tonight going like that. I'm trying to figure out why because my hometown date was by far one of the best dates, and I fell in love with Becca. It's just hard when you don't get loved back," Colton said following his ouster.
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The Bachelorette broadcast began with Becca saying she had "four solid men" left, and Garrett Yrigoyen was going to receive the first hometown date.
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Since Garrett's family owns an agricultural business, the couple got their hands dirty, and Garrett showed her how to plant tomatoes via tractor. Becca acknowledged Garrett would be a very "hot dad."
Garrett said he has a very tight-knit, close family, so their perspective on Becca and his relationship was going to be important to him.
Once Becca met Garrett's family, his protective sister Allison spoke with Garrett alone and revealed his relationship with his ex-wife had changed her brother's personality and who he is. Allison worried that might happen again, but Garrett promised he could be himself around Becca.
Allison noted that Garrett lights up a room and it killed her to see someone "suck that light" out of him, referring to his ex. Garrett's father also told Becca the failed relationship left Garrett "broken," and his mother said he had to climb out of "a dark hole."
RELATED LINK: WATCH 'THE BACHELORETTE' BACHELOR GARRETT YRIGOYEN AND EX-WIFE KAYLA CUNNINGHAM'S WEDDING VIDEO
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Becca wondered if Garrett was fully healed and ready for an engagement. Garrett's father insisted that was the case, but he said Becca setting the bachelor up for "a big fall" would "tear his heart apart." Becca explained she'd always be honest with Garrett since that's what she expected from the men she was dating.
Becca then spoke to Garrett's mother about how she loved his energy and positivity. She said they share similar morals and values as well as past experiences given he had been married and she had been engaged.
Although Garrett was in love with Becca, he told his mother it would be okay if it didn't work out because "what's meant to be [will] happen," as long as he puts his heart out on the line.
Becca could definitely envision a future with Garrett, and she said things felt so "easy, right and natural" when she was with him.
Becca's next stop was to visit Jason Tartick in Buffalo, NY.
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Jason told the cameras they had developed a connection and bond unlike anything he ever could have dreamt of. For their date, Jason entered them both in a buffalo wing eating contest, and then Jason taught her how to skate and they played a little ice hockey together.
Jason revealed he was born with skates on his feet and his dad coached him throughout his high school career. Becca said she had a blast with him, and reminded viewers how his "kisses are the best."
Jason explained there was a strength to their relationship he's never felt before and he could never settle for less again.
Becca, however, admitted to Jason he wasn't as open and vulnerable as the other guys, so that worried him. Jason just wanted to make sure the time was right and he meant every word he said.
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Jason lived the last 29 years with a "guarded, protected heart," but Becca meant the world to him, and so he realized he needed to communicate how he felt.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' STAR BECCA KUFRIN REPORTEDLY HAVING DOUBTS ABOUT FINAL WINNER PICK, "MIGHT PULL AN ARIE"
Once at Jason's parents' home, his mother shared with Becca that Jason was absolutely ready to commit although it might take him some time to get to that place and fully open up to someone. She added that if Jason did commit, it would be for life and he'd be a genuine and honest partner.
Jason's mother thought Becca was smart and gorgeous inside and out, but she couldn't read whether Becca was falling in love with her son. Jason confessed, prior to the last couple of dates, he was feeling like he was coming from behind.
But at this point, Jason believed his dynamic with Becca had surpassed the other guys.
"You can't define it. You just have to spend time with her," Jason said.
Jason then told his brother and his brother's husband that he was falling in love with Becca and couldn't wait to see her every time she left him. Jason also gushed about how Becca was the last thing on his mind before bed and the first thing on his mind when waking up in the morning.
"I'm so insanely, wildly in love with you and I can say it with more confidence than I've ever been able to say anything," Jason told Becca.
Jason felt a sense of peace that was a new feeling for him, because he had always been in his head too much.
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"I look forward to getting on one knee, looking Becca in the eye and telling her, 'I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you,'" Jason told the cameras.
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Blake Horstmann in Bailey, CO, was up next, and Blake saw an incredible future with Becca, as he was madly in love with her.
Becca revealed she had the "most solid relationship" with Blake of all the men.
"In the Bahamas, Blake told me he was in love with me, and the feelings are reciprocated. I just haven't told him," Becca said.
For their date, Blake took Becca to his high school, and she discovered he's in the Hall of Fame for sports.
Blake was nervous because he needed to get into another heavy conversation with Becca after talking about his parents' divorce, and then he shared how there was a school shooting when he was a senior in high school in which a classmate died.
Blake said he realized life is a gift that day and how precious every single day is. Becca gushed about how all the adversity Blake faced in his life has turned him into a beautiful man.
After a solemn moment in the date, Blake then surprised Becca with a concert by Betty Who in his very own high school auditorium. Betty Who is Becca's favorite singer, so she was overjoyed. Blake had never been more confident in a connection before.
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Later that day, Blake's mom Shelly learned her son had never been happier. Shelly, however, never wanted to see Blake go through the pain of his last failed relationship again, which had apparently made him "cynical and pessimistic."
Blake told Shelly that he was in love with Becca and he already expressed that to her, adding that he could end up engaged once this was all over with.
Shelly said it looked like Becca was "the one" for her son, but Blake's father still advised him to proceed with caution considering he could get his heart broken again. Blake also admitted Becca leaving him would hurt more than his last breakup, which left him with anxiety and panic attacks.
"I'm scared to death he's going to have his heart broken again because he's falling for you. I can see it written all over his face," Shelly told the Bachelorette.
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But Becca was crazy about Blake in return, telling the cameras, "I can see Blake in my life forever and his family in my life forever."
And Blake gushed to the cameras of the date, "She fit right in. Now I'm just even more head over heels in love with her. It's crazy that the next time I see my family, I could be engaged."
The next day, Becca visited Colton's hometown in Colorado, and she said they had an "unexplainable connection" as well as "crazy chemistry;" however, she needed to figure out if Colton could fit into her life forever.
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Colton then brought Becca shopping for children's toys before visiting a children's hospital where he often donates his time. Colton couldn't wait to show Becca what was important to him and what he's passionate about.
Becca noted watching Colton with the children was "utterly amazing" and showed he'll be a great dad one day. And Colton said Becca had natural motherly instincts.
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But this date was a big step for Colton, as he had never taken a woman home to meet his family before in a formal setting.
Colton explained although it might be overwhelming for her, he had just been thoughtful and selective about who he brings home. He holds pride in the fact a woman doesn't just get to meet his family.
Becca was therefore nervous, especially given Colton had only been in one serious relationship before her. From Becca's past relationships, she had been able to figure out what she does and does not want in a man, but Colton never had that opportunity.
Becca also feared Colton may not be ready to settle down at the end of this, but Colton assured her that he was on the show for her -- and if he didn't see a future with her, he would go. Becca is apparently everything Colton wanted in a partner.
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That night, Colton's father Scott had some tough conversations with his son, about him telling Becca about his past with Tia Booth, for example. Colton said he handled things like a man, and it became clear to Scott that Colton was ready to find his person and grow with someone by his side.
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Scott, however, told Becca it would be better to hurt Colton right away that drag him further down the process and do it later if he's not the one for her.
Colton was then shown telling his mother that he was "in love" with Becca and would propose at the end of the journey as long as their hometown visit went well.
Colton blew his mother away with his "transparency" and obvious excitement and willingness to get engaged.
"After seeing you with my family, I know I'm in love with you," Colton told Becca at the end of the night.
"I'm falling for him. He's just wonderful," Becca gushed once the date was over.
Before the Rose Ceremony in Los Angeles, Becca had a conversation with her best girlfriends: Tia, Seinne Fleming, Bekah Martinez, Caroline Lunny and Kendall Long.
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Tia asked Becca to chat in private, and although it was a bit of a nerve-wracking conversation, Tia said she needed to be "fully honest" with her friend because something had been weighing on her.
"I do feel like I still have feelings for Colton, and when I think about you being at this point now, it makes me sick in my stomach. Knowing you got to meet his family and knowing he's still here in this makes me sick," Tia confessed to Becca.
Becca obviously wished Tia had said something earlier, but Tia was just listening to her heart and apologized.
Becca thought this situation was behind them considering Tia gave her blessing during Week 3 of the competition. Becca said she felt very strongly for Colton, but Tia did admit she hated realizing she still cared for Colton.
"I never saw that coming. I thought we put it to bed weeks ago. I thought it was done... I'm frustrated, angry and it hurts to hear. I don't want to lose a friendship over a guy... but he told me that he loves me, and I don't know what to do," Becca said in a confessional.
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"I have way more to think about now and it's weighing on me and leaving me with a heavy heart."
Heading into the Rose Ceremony in which Becca determined her Final 3 suitors, she insisted her previous conversation with Tia did not change anything about her decision. Becca said she was following her heart and trusting her gut.
"I think if I got a rose tonight, it would be the closest thing to Becca saying, 'I love you,'" Colton told the cameras.
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Colton was then shown asking Chris Harrison about what the expectations are of a Fantasy Suite, but Chris assured him it was up to him and Becca how they wanted to handle the situation and behave.
Finally, at the Rose Ceremony, Becca handed out roses to Blake, Jason, and Garrett, and she said she was certain she was making the right choice for herself.
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Becca walked Colton out and confessed she felt like "a terrible person" for breaking his heart. While Becca's feelings had grown substantially for him, she noted they simply were not on the same page. Still, Becca had a tough time watching Colton walk away.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski