The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe picked Shawn Booth as her final bachelor and he proposed marriage to her during Monday night's broadcast of the ABC reality dating series' eleventh-season finale.

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"I have been waiting so long to tell you how I feel because I love you with all of my heart, like I've never loved anybody before. I can't wait to make a lifetime of memories with you and only you, because you are the one and you always will be," Kaitlyn told Shawn at the final Rose Ceremony, which was held in California at The Bachelor mansion.

"I truly believe everything happens for a reason," Shawn replied. "After the two best months of my entire life, I know what that reason is, and that is I'm not supposed to live my life without you and I'm not going to. Kaitlyn Bristowe, will you marry me?"

Kaitlyn started shaking as she looked down at Shawn on bended knee, and with a huge smile, she said, "Yes!"

Kaitlyn selected Shawn, a 28-year-old personal trainer from Windsor Locks, CT, over Nick Viall, a 34-year-old software sales executive from Chicago, IL. Nick finished as the runner-up on Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette as well, so he was particularly fed up and heartbroken.

The Bachelorette's Season 11 finale began with Nick saying Kaitlyn was "absolutely" the person he'd like to spend the rest of his life with. Likewise, all Shawn could think about was proposing to Kaitlyn because he loved her so much.

In Malibu, CA, Kaitlyn got ready to introduce both men to her family. Kaitlyn said her family's opinion meant everything to her and it was going to be tough to explain how she was in love with two guys.

Kaitlyn also warned her loved ones that Shawn and Nick hated each other and she had taken her physical relationship with Nick too far in Dublin. She was totally overwhelmed and asked her family to separate Nick from the man they saw on Andi's season. Her heart was totally split into two pieces.

Nick met Kaitlyn's family first and he wasn't even really nervous -- until he discovered Kaitlyn had told his "future in-laws" about the fact they had sex. He hoped they wouldn't view him differently.

Kaitlyn's sister had a tough time envisioning Kaitlyn with Nick, saying she just couldn't picture them together because Nick was so out-of-the-norm for her. Kaitlyn's family questioned Nick's intentions, but he explained he had gone on Andi's season for the experience and ended up falling in love. This time, he only competed on Kaitlyn's edition to win her heart.

Kaitlyn's mom Leslie didn't have a good opinion of Nick based on his portrayal on Andi's season. If Kaitlyn's mother didn't approve of the man she loved, she wouldn't be with that guy. Kaitlyn's mom called Nick "possessive and jealous" -- while purposely trying to leave out the word "arrogant."

Kaitlyn's mom asked Nick what Kaitlyn saw in him, and Nick said she was vulnerable and open with him, potentially signifying she felt things for him she never felt for anyone else before. Nick said he had established a mental and emotional connection with Kaitlyn before they secured the physical aspect of things.

"I love your daughter. She is the most incredible woman I've ever met. If she will have me, I want her for the rest of my life and I will totally ask her [to marry me]," Nick told Leslie as tears streamed down his face. "Are you okay with it?"

Kaitlyn's mom came to the conclusion that Nick would be very good for Kaitlyn and she trusted him with her heart. Leslie thought Nick was "a teddy bear," a "sweetheart."

Kaitlyn's mom said she had judged Nick wrongly and she'd be very happy if Kaitlyn accepted a proposal from him. Nick told Kaitlyn's father Mike he loved how she was bold and brave, not just beautiful and funny. Kaitlyn's dad got a good feeling from Nick and gave him his blessing. Nick's only insecurity was not knowing what she had going on with Shawn on the other side.

Shawn's day with Kaitlyn's family was up next. He was extremely nervous, and Leslie pointed out she was worried Shawn was too much of a jealous person. Shawn gave each member of the family a little thoughtful gift and Kaitlyn's father didn't understand why Kaitlyn had said Shawn was bad at expressing himself. Leslie called Shawn a real man and then sat down with him for a little chat.

Leslie got down "to the nitty-gritty." She asked Shawn about what his jealousy might be like after the show once they're in the outside world, and Shawn said he understood they were not in an exclusive relationship.

Shawn also had confidence and trust in Kaitlyn the person. Shawn noted they'd only get stronger after the show and his love for her wouldn't allow jealousy to get in the way. Leslie thought Shawn behaved maturely and said things with sincerity.

"I'm 'Team Shawn.' I'm not joking," Kaitlyn's sister told the Bachelorette.

Kaitlyn's sister said she seemed "connected" with Shawn even though her physical relationship with Nick was obvious. Shawn told Mike he couldn't wait to start living life with Kaitlyn, as they had such an amazing foundation already. Shawn then asked both Leslie and Mike together for their blessing to propose, repeating how much he was in love with their daughter.

"I never thought in a million years I'd be sitting here right now. But with that being said, I've never been more sure about anything in my life and I do plan on proposing to your daughter next week. I do want to propose to her and spend my life with her," Shawn told them.

Leslie replied, "One thousand percent, yes, you have our support," and Mike agreed whole-heartedly. Shawn had no doubt in his mind Kaitlyn was the woman for him, and he had a tough time saying goodbye to her.

The following day, Kaitlyn had her final date with Nick on a boat in Marina Del Ray. There was a lot of ease between them and Kaitlyn could see themselves fitting into each other's lives. Nick said their bond was "surreal" and they had the type of relationship he's always wanted. Kaitlyn noted he was an emotional guy who was funny and brought out a side to her no one else did.

On the night portion of the date, Kaitlyn told Nick she was so happy he took a chance on her as well as the risk of going on The Bachelorette again. Nick got Kaitlyn a gift and gave it to her in his bedroom -- a framed photo of them from their first one-on-one date in Dublin with a message written from his heart. Kaitlyn cried and felt so hopeful.

"I really believe this is the guy for me because there is no denying what we have. When I look at Nick, I know I'm in love. It just feels right. Everything about us feels right. I can see him as my husband and I'm sitting there feeling so great. A part of me is ready and excited," Kaitlyn said in a confessional.

At Saddle Rock the next day, Kaitlyn embarked on her last one-on-one date with Shawn at a winery. She said she woke up in the middle of the night with anxiety because she knew Nick made her a priority and she was definitely in love with him, but at the same time, she loved how Shawn made her feel.

On their date, Kaitlyn felt weird and was pretty much speechless. She seemed a little off and sad, apologizing for giving Shawn a strange, awkward vibe. Shawn was fairly convinced something had changed and he began thinking about what could've happened the day before between her and Nick.

Shawn wasn't sure what she was thinking or what she wanted. He needed some answers and reassurance or else he told the cameras he wasn't going to get down on one knee.

That night, Shawn was nervous because based on Kaitlyn's body language and words, he was concerned. He really wanted to get back on track with their relationship and connection. Shawn told Kaitlyn their life could be amazing together after the show even though the journey had been hard for the both of them.

Kaitlyn asked Shawn if he'd be able to watch The Bachelorette season and be okay with it. He said he'd watch parts of the show. Shawn believed people saw his jealousy as a problem, when in reality, he just wanted to protect the girl he cared about and not watch her go off with other guys.

Kaitlyn told Shawn her biggest fear was letting love fade. Shawn said he'd put her above everything else and would be so proud to have her by his side as his wife. He was certain life would always be fun together. Shawn then gave Kaitlyn a jar filled with their memories from the season.

The jar held notes, pictures, tees and golf balls from their golfing date. They laughed and enjoyed each other's company. Shawn said it was the story of their love, and Kaitlyn felt relieved, saying she got exactly what she needed.

"I'm in love with two guys and two guys are in love with me. Damnit, this is hard. Whether it's Shawn or Nick at this point, somebody is going to get blindsided. My feelings are too strong for both of them. It's just hard; What I feel is real. It's not about stringing someone along," Kaitlyn explained in a confessional, insisting she had to get to the very end with both of them to really make the right decision.

The next day, both Shawn and Nick picked out an engagement ring for Kaitlyn. Nick was so pleased it was Neil Lane knocking on his door because last season, Andi went over to his place to dump him before the final Rose Ceremony.

Although he initially feared Kaitlyn might let him go early, he said he'd respect her for not making him go through the final ceremony. Meanwhile, Shawn was confident neither he or Kaitlyn would remember who Nick is at the end of this.

On their way to the final Rose Ceremony at The Bachelor mansion, Shawn's head was spinning, and Nick told the cameras he was certain Kaitlyn's connection with Shawn didn't measure up to his own. Kaitlyn knew she'd be happy at the end of the show but saying goodbye to one of the guys was going to be miserable.

The first person out of the limo was Nick. He said he felt calm because he had found the love of his life. He just hoped she loved him as much in return.

Nick then approached Kaitlyn and began his beautiful speech. He explained that every moment he spent with Kaitlyn on The Bachelorette was better than he ever could've expected.

While the odds were stacked against them, a part of him did expect to be standing where he was at the end because he went on the show solely to pursue her. Nick felt something for her that he always wanted to feel for someone, and that was a powerful love. Nick then took a moment of silence and started to cry.

"And I'm not ready to let you go and I don't want to let us go because I am in love with you, and I look at you and I have such confidence in you and us. I am yours forever if you'll have me and, Kaitlyn..." Nick said as he took the engagement ring box out of his pocket.

Kaitlyn put her hands up to stop the gesture and Nick said with a shocked look on his face, "No? Okay."

Kaitlyn started to cry and couldn't speak for about a minute. She kept repeating, "Oh my God," while Nick stood there baffled. Kaitlyn apologized and said she needed every single second she had with Nick to make her choice. Kaitlyn looked for a single explanation but had nothing other than, "My heart is just with somebody else."

Nick interjected and said an abrupt, "Kay."

"I'm not trying to be short. I just don't think there is anything you could say that will make me less confused," Nick blurted out.

Kaitlyn tried to convince Nick she was in love with him but he didn't believe her and disagreed. She said everything she experienced with Nick was real in those moments and she had no regrets. Nick didn't want to hear what she had to say, claiming what she felt wasn't real and she "took things" from him.

"What I felt for you was greater than a moment," Nick countered. "You knew how I felt about you, and I think that pretty much just sums it up."

Nick hoped Kaitlyn would be proud of her actions and have no regrets. He wanted to leave before saying something that would hurt her.

"You don't feel what I feel. You don't love me," Nick told her.

After a moment of hesitation, all Kaitlyn could say was, "I'm sorry," with a deep sigh.

Kaitlyn walked Nick out and confessed to the cameras she was really going to miss him and felt like a fool, which is exactly how Nick was feeling. Once inside the limo, Nick threw both the engagement ring and his Claddagh ring he had purchased with Kaitlyn in Dublin.

"I just don't know what to think right now. I just feel sick. I think I'm probably just in shock right now. Obviously I feel a little foolish. I do feel like it was the best setup. To actually hear she loves me more than once, it's like a f-cking joke. I am the world's biggest joke," Nick said in his final words.

After Nick left, Kaitlyn told the cameras she knew it would all be worth it once she saw Shawn.

Shawn told Kaitlyn with a big smile she looked gorgeous and then said from the first moment he saw her step out of the limo, he knew his life would never be the same. Shawn felt a spark the moment she grabbed his hands, and he knew that's where he was supposed to be.

With the highs and lows, ups and downs, Shawn wouldn't have changed a thing. She exceeded his expectations, and he called her the most incredible woman he's ever met.

"Every time I look into those blue eyes, I can't hear myself think. When I kiss those lips, I get this pit in my stomach every single time -- and I don't ever want that to end. I fall more and more in love with you every time I see you," Shawn told the Bachelorette.

"I look at you and I see a best friend, a partner in crime, my teammate, the love of my life. You have already made me the happiest guy in the world, and all I want to do is make you the happiest girl in the world. I love you so much Kaitlyn."

Kaitlyn told Shawn he lit her up, made her laugh and allowed her to be herself. She said she made a lot of mistakes but had to be honest with him and tell him the truth. Shawn looked terrified at this moment when Kaitlyn decided to take a deep breath and compose herself.

"The truth is that I never want you to question what we have ever again because I am completely yours and I will always be faithful to you," she said as Shawn looked incredibly relieved.

The finale concluded with Shawn accepting Kaitlyn's final rose.

During After the Final Rose, Kaitlyn and Shawn revealed they are still happily engaged and very much in love. Kaitlyn had tears in her eyes, telling Chris Harrison she felt like a little kid again, like it was truly Christmas morning.

Kaitlyn and Shawn's only plan moving forward right now is to enjoy their relationship. They're excited to do little things in public together, like get coffee. Shawn is also thrilled he can now defend Kaitlyn in public against cyber bullies. Shawn said his future wife-to-be didn't deserve any hate.

Also during the special, Nick and Shawn squashed their rival onstage. Although they weren't exactly hugging it out, both men agreed they had acted immaturely and let their issues with one another affect Kaitlyn's love story, which they both ultimately regretted. Shawn also clarified he was never jealous of Nick or anyone else, that the editing made him appear far less confident than he truly felt on the show.

Lastly, Nick asked Kaitlyn why she let him give a speech and almost propose before letting him go. He was shocked she didn't dump him prior to the final Rose Ceremony. Kaitlyn didn't have a great answer.

Kaitlyn just said she knew she was going to hurt him badly regardless of the time or place, and she simply didn't know how to handle it best. However, she confessed she could've rejected Nick in a more appropriate, considerate manner.

Kaitlyn stood by the fact she was in love with Nick. However, she said no love on the show was as strong as what she felt for Shawn.

No announcement was made as to who will star as the next Bachelor.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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