Monthly Archives: August 2014

3 Real Life Dating Take-Aways from This Season of the Bachelorette

Andi Dorfman

A few weeks back, the whole world rabid Bachelorette fans everywhere watched with bated breath as Andy gifted her final rose to Josh, and sent a shocked Nick home brokenhearted. While Andy’s search for love was typical for the Bachelor franchise in many ways (with all the sensationalized romance, over-the-top clichés, and male cat fights we’ve come to know and love), Andy was hands-down the coolest bachelorette yet (and could teach us all a thing or two about finding love). Here are 3 real-life dating gems we can all glean from her highly televised + rose petal-strewn search for love.

1) Don’t judge a book (or bachelor!) by its cover.

From the second former pro baseball player (and all-American hottie), Josh, stepped out of the limo, Andy was intrigued. But despite both hailing from the same Atlanta suburb and off the charts chemistry, Andy was slow to let her guard down with Josh. Because she’d dated (and been burned!) by “the athlete type” in the past, she really put him through the ringer and took a while to trust him. Luckily for Andy (and sadly for Josh-fans everywhere) she eventually let him in and they are now happily engaged.

The lesson: While it’s good to learn from past heartbreak, remember that every person is unique. If you pigeonhole someone as a certain “type” before getting to know him or her you might end up missing something great.

2) Be kind (but honest) when you break it off.

When Andy sent Midwestern man candy, Chris, home before the Fantasy Suite, she gained a lot of respect in my book. Instead of blaming the breakup on his small town in Iowa, she was honest about the fact that the depth of their connection just wasn’t where she wanted it to be. Not taking a cop out and being honest will allow him to really move on rather than always wonder “what if”. And in his case moving on entails landing much-coveted role as America’s next Bachelor (no tears for you, Farmer Chirs).

The lesson: When you are lovingly honest during a breakup, you set the other person free to find the love they deserve.

3) Know that you can be feminine and powerful

Of all the Bachelorette’s America has come to know and love, Ms. Dorfman is certainly a force to be reckoned with. From her comfort on the shooting range to her skills in the courtroom she’s not afraid to be smart and tough, and as the star of a reality show centered on dating, that’s refreshing to see. When she put playboy Juan Pablo in his place last season on The Bachelor she showed the world she would not be messed with or settle for less than amazing treatment, and this season she continued to speak her mind and ask tough questions annnnnnd wear sparkly dresses.

The lesson: Confidently bring your whole self to the dating game and don’t be afraid to do things that aren’t traditionally “feminine”. The more “you” you are, the more likely you’ll be to attract the right partner.

So there you have it folks, 3 takeaways from Andy’s romp on reality TV. Thoughts? Think I missed any key nuggets of dating wisdom this season? Let me know in the comments below! And mazel tov Andy and Josh on your engagement, you bring new meaning to the term HOTlanta.