HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Despite skipping out on a proposal on his first go-around as The Bachelor, Brad Womack says he "wasn't met with any skepticism" while going on his latest hometown dates.
"During my last experience on The Bachelor, I felt like I had to convince some of the family members that it was a very real experience and that love is possible, even in such a unique situation," Womack writes in his latest blog for People magazine. "This time, all of the families seemed to accept that and not question it at all. In fact, I even received unsolicited blessings from some of the fathers (which I greatly appreciated)."
Monday's episode saw Womack meet Chantal O'Brien's family first.
"I played a short game of football with Chantal O.'s family (her father just happens to be an ex-pro football player) and performed terribly," he recalls of his trip to Washington state. "I dropped quite a few passes in front of the man. I think guys can empathize with me here – I was completely and utterly mortified and embarrassed."
Next, Womack ventured to Maine, where he experienced Ashley Spivey's small-town upbringing.
"Ashley's family was a riot!" he says. "They were so much fun and outgoing. You didn't see me facing a few tough (but appropriate) questions from Ashley's sister and I'd like to think I passed the test!"
The next stop on Womack's hometown tour landed him in Chico, Calif., where he experienced Shawntel Newton's life as a funeral home director for her family's business.
"Shawntel N.'s hometown had to be the most unique because she showed me her place of work first," explains Womack. "Laying down on the embalming table is something I won't quickly forget. I hope it made her realize I was willing to do literally anything to show her I admire and respect her career!"
The hometown visits ended with a trip to North Carolina, where Womack met Emily Maynard's daughter, Little Ricki.
"I was humbled and honored to get the chance to meet Emily's daughter, Little Ricki," Womack says. "It took a while to get her to open up to me but once she did, my heart melted by just being around that little girl."
"I want to explain why I didn't kiss Emily while sitting on her couch," he continues of his visit. "It's no secret that I'm brand new to a lot of this. I've never dated a woman with a daughter before so I don't know proper etiquette in that situation. All I know is this, I wanted to kiss Emily every second I was around her, but my very first concern was showing her daughter respect (as well as Emily). I realize it makes me look like a weird and awkward guy around Emily, but that's anything but the case. Again, my first concern was her daughter."
In the end, Womack decided to end his relationship with Newton.
"This week was especially important to me because I place such an emphasis on family," he says. "It gave me true insight about where the women come from and what life would be like with each of them in their everyday lives."
Photo credit: Rick Rowell / ABC
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