5 Dating Lessons from This Season of The Bachelorette

Theresa Nist Speaks Out About The End Of "The Golden Bachelor" Marriage

Theresa Nist took to Instagram to share her thoughts about the end of her marriage to Gerry Turner. She's aware that everyone has opinions about what happened, but she's asking for people to be considerate as they navigate a new process. She partially wrote, "For everyone else who is confused and angry and who does not understand, please try to find it in your heart to understand and to try a little kindness...Sometimes things don’t go the way you planned and that’s okay."

It seems like she's doing her best to remain positive in light of everything that's happened. We can only imagine how scary it is to open yourself up to love in the public eye and become the topic of everyone's conversation.

"The Golden Bachelor" Couple Are Ending Their Marriage

Just when we thought things were working well for "The Golden Bachelor" couple, they decided to announce the end of their short-lived marriage on Good Morning America. Gerry Turner told host Juju Chang, "Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and we’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and -- and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to -- dissolve our marriage."

Theresa Nist clarified that she doesn't want the people who rooted for them to believe love and marriage are hopeless. "We want none of that to change for anybody," she said.

We're sure that they truly had a connection, but it's not easy trying to navigate merging your life with someone no matter how old you are. It seems that Gerry and Theresa couldn't bear the thought of one of them being separated from their families, ultimately resulting in the tough decision that getting married may not have been the best thing to do.

We hope that they take as much time as they need to continue navigating their decision to end their public marriage.

"The Golden Bachelor" Blended Family Went On "Celebrity Family Feud"

Gerry and Theresa's newly-blended family revealed that they filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud in early April – and their opposing team wasn't that unfamiliar!

Theresa's daughter Jen posted some behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, noting that the family went up against more Bachelor Nation members like Joey Graziadei, Kelsey Anderson, Charity Lawson, Dotun Olubeko, Zach Shallcross, and Kaity Biggar for their episode of Celebrity Family Feud.

Jen also gave us loose details about when the episode would officially air, writing in the caption of her Instagram post: "you’ll have to watch to see how it went down but no I’m not really sure when it’s going to be on… August?!"

Gerry posted a little preview too, saying that he "had a GREAT time at Celebrity Family Feud with the blended family."

Gerry's daughter Angie seemed super excited about being on Celebrity Family Feud as well, writing in her Instagram post that her dreams were fulfilled being on the show.

"Since I was little I wanted to be on family feud," she wrote. "I would dream about it and assemble my team in my mind. Yesterday…it happened!!!! We played celebrity family feud!!! It was so much fun."

A Recap Of "The Golden Bachelor" Wedding

Gerry and Theresa got married during a live taping of The Golden Wedding, and there were hardly any dry eyes during their sweet ceremony. To help them celebrate their new nuptials, former The Golden Bachelor contestant Susan Noles was their officiant. It felt like a full circle moment for Bachelor Nation, because more familiar faces could be seen in the audience, like Trista and Ryan Sutter.

Peoplereports that Gerry and Theresa's respective daughters gave heartfelt speeches that touched everyone. Gerry's daughters Angie and Jenny shared how proud they are of their dad before turning their attention to Theresa. Jenny said, "he found a fantastic woman that is beautiful inside and out to spend the rest of his life with."

Theresa's daughter Jen echoed their sentiments. She said, "we're beyond thrilled that you’ve brought us together as family."

Towards the end of the ceremony, Gerry could be heard telling guests, "I have a whole new outlook on life because of this journey and because of this woman." So cute!

An Inside Look At The Golden Wedding

Gerry and Theresa's daughters were all smiles as they walked down the aisle.

Gerry and Theresa's son-in-laws also walked down the aisle in tailored navy blue suits.

The guests couldn't take their eyes off Gerry and Theresa! We love to see it!

A final look at the newlyweds!

Everything Gerry And Theresa Said About "The Golden Bachelor" Wedding

After a long season, Gerry finally found his sweetheart. Theresa Nist, a financier from New Jersey, won the show with the ultimate gesture of love: a darling proposal from Gerry at the season finale! Despite the joyous ending, picking a final woman wasn't an easy decision for Gerry:

“I met some of the women and recognized they were beautiful and gracious and intelligent, but they weren't the right woman for me,” Gerry told People. “I had to find the right person.”

The lovely couple couldn't stop gushing about how thrilled they were as their big day approached. Their respective families are also over the moon, with Theresa's daughter and Gerry's granddaughters jumping on the opportunity to help celebrate.

“My daughter, she's seen a million weddings and she is incredible," Theresa said of her daughter, Jen. "She's put together the vision board. She's asking me, ‘Do you like this? Do you like this?’ And I go, ‘Wow, okay, I don't even have to do this. This is awesome.’ She's handling it pretty much.”

Gerry's daughters and granddaughters also attended the wedding.

“They're all involved,” he said. “There's a spot for every family member in the wedding party. We wouldn't have it any other way. It’s going to be spectacular.”

"The Golden Bachelor" Fantasy Suites Recap

The Golden Bachelor fantasy suites episode followed Gerry and the last two contestants, Leslie and Theresa all the way to Costa Rica, where they were given the opportunity to get... closer.

Sure, the fantasy suites provides massive potential for physical connection (or "knocking boots," as Gerry put it), but the Golden Bach was focused on emotions more than anything this time around:

“[To] ask the difficult questions that are strictly between two people, and also have the opportunity to be physically intimate with each other,” he said on the show. “At this age, it’s more gentle, it’s slow, it’s something you can savor, because it’s something that’s the most special [thing] you can have.”

Before he could elicit official invites for the fantasty suites, Gerry took both women on some *quite* adventurous individual dates. He rappelled down a waterfall with Leslie, and rode horses through the wilderness with Theresa. At the end of each date, he asked each woman to join him in the fantasty suite.

Whether boots were knocked or not, it was hard to narrow down who Gerry was really into after the fantasy suites episode. He told both Leslie and Theresa "I love you," but Gerry ultimately made a decision about who won his heart over.

“I headed towards the end, I was really in conflict about several of the women,” Gerry told People. “As very specific events occurred, it really helped me gain clarity on what I wanted to do.”

When and where can I watch "The Golden Bachelor"?

Since the series' first season is officially over, you can stream allThe Golden Bachelor episodes on Hulu.

Who's the first Golden Bachelor?

71-year-old Gerry Turner is the leading man on the spin-off series. Describing himself as "71 years young," the Indiana-based widower, father of two, grandfather, and retired restauranteur believes that it's "never too late to fall in love again."

Gerry was previously married to his high school sweetheart, Toni, who died in 2017 after becoming ill just six weeks after she retired. In an interview with Good Morning America, Gerry said that in her last weeks, all Toni wanted for him was happiness.

"For a while, I was having a hard time figuring out if she was okay... but we always told each other, when one of us goes, we want the other to be happy. She's up there rooting. She's saying, 'Yeah, Gerry, do this!'"

What is "The Golden Bachelor" about?

The Golden Bachelor gives seniors another shot at love, following one hopeless romantic in search of a partner to share their sunset years with. Promising to “showcase a whole new kind of love story,” the show carves out space for women who have a whole lifetime of experience living through love, loss, and laughter to meet their forever.

Each of the 22 women invited to the show hopes for a spark that ignites a future full of possibilities. In the end, the Golden Bachelor is set to find everlasting love in just one of them.

Angie and Jenny, Gerry's two daughters, were "very excited" about their dad's role on The Golden Bachelor. When asked about what he was looking for in a future Mrs. Turner, he says he's looking for someone with "high energy," who might even play pickleball and golf. Even now, there's no slowing down Gerry!

How many women are a part of "The Golden Bachelor"?

The Golden Bachelor started with a total of 22 women who are 60+ years of age. We love that the series was intentional about featuring a cast who's near the same age group as Gerry.

Which contestants stood out the most?

Every season, there’s always a handful of contestants who make unforgettable first impressions, and this time was no different.

Some of the most noteworthy ladies from the show included Sandra, a 75-year-old retired executive assistant from Doraville, Georgia. The most seasoned of the bunch kicked her first interaction with Gerry off with a sensual meditation session where she proclaimed her love for the “F” and “S” words. Same girl, same.

Theresa, a 70-year-old financial services professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, bared it all on her first meeting with Gerry. It was her cake day after all, and she figured there was no better time to show off her birthday suit than the show's first episode. LOL.

Faith, a 60-year-old high school teacher from Benton City, Washington, exuded cool-girl energy with a head-turning stunt. Riding in on a motorcycle with hair whipping, and even shocking audiences with a guitar solo, there’s no surprise that she walked away with a little kiss (and the first impression rose).

One of our favorite step-outs of the first night was Leslie, 64, who left the limo in a gray wig, a muumuu nightgown, and a walker to boot. But – after pulling off the guise to reveal a show-stopping sparklingly dress, the retired dancer proved that she’s anything but geriatric. And also, apparently Prince ( yes, *the* Prince) wrong a song about her?! Talk about an “it" girl.

1. Is Our Relationship Moving at the "Right" Pace?

“After moving in together, many couples notice they have doubts about the progression of their relationship," licensed psychotherapist Christine Scott-Hudson says. “Each partner may experience uncertainty about their own or their partner's timing and may suffer if they relate their partner's faster pace to being pushed or their partner's slower pace to feeling unappreciated or undervalued." Once you're sharing a space with your S.O. 24/7, you may be more sensitive than ever to the fact that you're not on the same page about things like engagement, in-laws, children, and more. If you're experiencing doubt about how — and how quickly — your relationship is moving forward, start talking about it with bae ASAP. See if you can recalibrate your expectations and open up communication.

2. How Should We Be Handling Our Finances?

There are plenty of romantic elements about moving in with a partner, but money is also at play… and that's not so romantic. If you and your significant other didn't have an extensive conversation about finances before the move-in actually happened, you may be finding that your new roomie has financial habits that make you feel uncomfortable now that you're sharing bills. Certified mental health professional and relationship expert from Maple Holistics Adina Mahalli suggests seeking outside help when possible for this kind of issue. Sign up for a financial management class together to help put those doubts at ease. If that's not doable for you, try setting up a very clear budget so you can get back on the same page.

3. Can I Handle These Quirks Full-Time?

In the glow of a new relationship, your sweetie's idiosyncrasies may seem more cute than annoying. But when you're dealing with them front and center, day in and day out? Maybe not so much. “Once you move in together, your rose-colored glasses start to wear off and seemingly endearing traits become more irritating and harder to overlook," DatingScout dating expert Celia Schweyer notes. “Living together means you have to experience real life with your partner." Navigating those real-life annoyances while keeping your relationship strong requires communication and compromise, Schweyer says. Speak up (respectfully) about the habits that bother you, and come to the table with suggestions that will allow you and your partner to live in harmony without changing who you are. It's better than bottling up your frustration and becoming resentful.

4. What if We Start To Feel Like Roommates?

If, after living together for a while, you and your S.O. start to feel less like romantic partners and more like, well, roomies, don't panic. It happens. But it may create some doubt. Matchmaker, relationship expert, and Platinum Poire founder Rori Sassoon tells us that roommate syndrome can be solved by putting in some serious mutual work. Both of you will need to step up your game, communicate, and figure out how to get the dynamic back on track.

5. What If My Partner Starts to Hate My Quirks?

Just as you might suddenly doubt your relationship because your significant other's quirks are on display full-time, you may start to get insecure about how they perceive your quirks. “You will become more relaxed in your own home and less willing or able to keep up a show," marriage coach and relationship expertLesli Doares says. “This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it can come as a surprise." Be open-minded about hearing your partner's feedback and don't shy away from trying to improve on some of the habits that cause issues.

As a Power of Women honoree, Mariska was recognized in regards to her work as an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She took the stage and used her platform to discuss rape and assault conviction reversals, shining a light on the recent overturned ruling in Harvey Weinstein's landmark NYC case. Here's what she said:

Today I want to talk about reversing convictions, and more specifically I want to talk to you about how impossible it is to reverse mine. It’s impossible to reverse my conviction that survivors matter. It is impossible to reverse my conviction that what happens to us matters, and that our society must respond to survivors with a more a compassionate, holistically, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of what healing means.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that after a trauma, survivors can reclaim lives of hope, of possibility, of audacious risk, beautiful intimacy, and glorious, glorious abundant joy. And I stand before you as evidence of that statement.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that we must listen to survivors as experts on what justice means. It is extraordinary how little their voices are consulted, let alone incorporated, in the process of deciding how to repair harm. Justice is not a one-size-fits-all journey.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that patriarchal impunity has to end. Patriarchal impunity is when a male-dominated system exempts perpetrators from punishment. Studies show that only 20% of all rape cases in the U.S. are reported to the police, and that between 5 and 0% of all rapes result in a guilty plea or a conviction. So why do 80% of victims not report? Because they're met with a system that grants impunity to perpetrators; a system that blames victims; a system that accepts only those victims who are experienced as "real" rape; a system that completely misunderstands the neurobiology of trauma, which causes behavior in women that doesn't fit the picture of how a "real victim" would act.

Is that change needed that victims should just pull themselves together? Just buck up and report anyway? No. No, it's the system that receives them that needs to change

It is impossible to reverse my conviction — and the conviction of my extraordinary team, The Joyful Heart — that the backlog of untested rape kits can be brought to zero; that the testing of all new kits must be mandated; that we need a statewide kit tracking system; and that survivors have the right to access the status of their kits.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that grammar — yes, grammar — that we use when we speak about rape must change. In the sentence, "A woman is raped," there's a crime and there's a victim, but there's no perpetrator. Where's the perpetrator? Where is he? Statistically, as we know, most likely he's walking free. He's so free that he doesn't even appear in the language about the crime that he committed. Is that not extraordinary? It's extraordinary that in the very grammar, the perpetrator goes free. Reintroducing perpetrators in the language of rape will make some very unwieldy grammar, but that's the nature of change. It's unwieldy, it's messy, it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary.

Hargitay continued on in her prolific speech to describe that rape shouldn't be considered a "crime of passion" because it's "not simply the next step in the trajectory of his passion" when a man takes a consensual hookup too far and assaults a woman against her will. She stated that it's "an exercise of power," doubling down that the language we use is important.

The speech went on to address that rape is both about power and control, as a "construct" that was "built, and assembled, and reinforced over time." She noted that there are people with these positions of power — and she specifically called out those in the entertainment industry — that could make a difference and aligned themselves to victims and survivors.

After this and some other remarks, Hargitay specifically called out the Weinstein conviction reversal. She said:

I do want to say something about the Harvey Weinstein conviction, specifically about the reason that it was overturned: too many women's voices. Too many women's voices were allowed to speak. Hallelujah! Amen! I can't imagine anything more beautiful than that. The Daily podcast episode talked about how it was so risky for the prosecution to have that many women testify. Risky to let women speak? You're damn right it is!

Too many women speaking brings change. Too many women speaking shakes the establishment. Too many women means we get listened to more, and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words, right? Me too — just as an example — a tidal wave of change. Me too.

And then of course, there was the response: the Me Too Movement. The backlash. The examination of whether the changes that have come are lasting, or are even positive. Of course there's a backlash! What did they expect? For women to speak repeatedly, loudly, together, with a purpose — for there to be no backlash? The backlash is evidence of how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices ARE.

Watch Mariska Hargitay's Full Speech Here

Turns out that your TV heroes really can be your IRL heroes after all. Long live Olivia Benson! Long live Mariska Hargitay!