Cheers to Love
In the summer of 2011, millions of viewers watched Ashley Hebert begin her search for love. Little did fans know that she would be engaged by the end of the season.
Boys' Club
"My favorite memory in the mansion would have been the moments off camera," Ben Flajnik shared with E! News. "Cooking big meals for the whole group of guys and really breaking bread. We had a few good cooks amongst the guys and Constantine [Tzortzis], Mickey [McLean] and myself did a lot of the cooking."
First Impressions
From the very beginning, Ashley had a positive impression on J.P. Rosenbaum, a contestant who was introduced to fans as a construction worker from Roslyn, New York.
Say Cheese
Yes, the limo entrances were cheesy in 2011 too. For one contestant, he pulled out a full-on camera to snap a selfie. Sir, there are iPhones for that now.
Crazy Dates
Never change, producers. Early on in the season, Ashley and a contestant named William Holman headed off to Las Vegas in a private jet for a unique date. Ashley put her handsome date to the ultimate test to commitment by sending him through a series of wedding preparations at a chapel.
Bros for Life
While group dates were fun, J.P. recalls bonding with the guys inside the Bachelor Mansion. "We had virtually no drama while living in the mansion and, for the most part, all became friends relatively quickly," he told E! News. "Living in that mansion without contact to the outside world forced us to connect with one another. It forced everyone to get to know each other without any outside influence or preconceived notions. It was a unique dynamic."
Adventure Awaits
During one episode, Ashley and Ben enjoyed a date at a national park. While the moment was special for Ben, it was another outing he will never forget. "The one-on-one I had with Ashley in Chang Mai, Thailand was incredible, especially the dinner portion," he shared with E! News. "Dancers, flower designs, ancient temples...it was next level. It would have been difficult for me to recreate that."
Meet the Parents
During hometown dates, Constantine, a restaurant owner, introduced Ashley to his big, Greek family. He ultimately withdrew in week nine of the show.
Wine Country
Perhaps, this hometown trip was a little better. Ben, known to fans as the winemaker from Sonoma, Calif., escorted Ashley to his family home to meet his sister and mother.
Sparks Fly
Pennsylvania was the backdrop for Ashley's hometown date with contestant Ames Brown. Between the picnic and horse and carriage ride, fans were convinced these two could go all the way. He was ultimately eliminated in week eight.
Game On
A hometown date at a Long Island roller skating rink? Spoiler alert, but no wonder Ashley fell in love with J.P.
Finishing Strong
Although Ben would not receive Ashley's final rose, the Frequent Flyers writer and winemaker is thankful for the experience. "You know, I'm grateful for the timing because it was easy to fade away and out of fame," Ben explained to E! News. "I do also believe more people were there to potentially meet someone and/or create a new experience for themselves rather than hawk products on Instagram."
Perfect Ending
J.P. will likely never forget his trip to Fiji where he proposed to Ashley. As he explained to E! News, "I'm pretty sure that I'll never be able to pull off another trip to Fiji that will live up to the time I spent there. Traveling to Fiji, being whisked away daily via helicopter and/or seaplane, and living on remote islands without any access to life back home...I can pretty much guarantee all of that will never happen again."
Not-So-Dramatic Conclusion
Host Chris Harrison was on-hand to congratulate the couple on their engagement. A successful season? Absolutely, especially when love is in the air.