Vanessa Grimaldi's hometown date in Montreal was an eye-opening experience for The Bachelor star Nick Viall in more ways than one.

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When Nick visited Vanessa in her hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the 29-year-old teacher first brought the Bachelor to her school where she works with adults over the age of 21 who have special-education needs.

"I've always been so impressed with what Vanessa does for a living, and I was really happy she decided to take me to meet her students. The welcome we received from her school was unbelievable," Nick wrote in his People blog.

"The profound difference that Vanessa makes in these peoples lives is really touching, I couldn't help but become emotional. It was so great to sit in her classroom and be a part of her daily life with her students."

Nick said her class "couldn't have been more welcoming" during his visit.

"And props to the students for letting me bend the rules and steal a kiss from Vanessa during class. To see her in her element was impressive, and I was blown away with how special she is," the Bachelor admitted. "But the love I saw that surrounded her at school was doubled the moment we walked into her family's home."

Viall was apparently really looking forward to this hometown date because Vanessa had been talking about her family since the night they met.

"I've been so eager to meet this big Italian clan! The moment we walked in I was hit with smells of rich food and the sound of people talking quickly in Italian. What a feast!" Nick revealed.

"Vanessa's family was quick to welcome me into their home and feed me almost immediately. Lucky for me I come from a pretty big family, so I felt right at home."

In fact, Nick could see himself becoming a part of Vanessa's family's weekly meal.

"Sunday lunches are a tradition for Vanessa's family and something I continued to think I could get used to," Nick wrote.

"I visited both family homes that evening, Vanessa's mom and dad's. I know the divorce was really hard on her, but it was so clear that there was no lack of love."

Nick admitted that Vanessa's hometown date didn't go as smoothly as he hoped, but that was only because her loved ones were extremely protective of her and worried about her well-being.

The bachelorette's sister Melissa Grimaldi, for example, expressed how Vanessa -- usually quite cautious -- wasn't thinking things through when it came to the future of her romance with Nick, like where they'd live together.

"I respected the concerns and tough questions that each family member presented. I certainly understand the fear that her loved ones shared," Nick explained.

"I wish I could've had more answers, but this journey is complicated. I think that leaving that night it dawned on me that there are so many more conversations Vanessa and I needed to have. I just hoped Vanessa wouldn't lose sight of what we had."

About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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