As Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple contemplate their future after the finale of The Golden Bachelorette, a crucial issue looms: where will they call home? From the outset of the competition, it was clear that there was a strong mutual attraction between Joan and Chock, positioning him as the leading contender for her heart. Their journey culminated in an engagement, and the couple is still deeply in love. Yet, they face a significant challenge posed by their geographical distances. Chock resides in Wichita, Kansas, while Joan has built her life in Maryland.
This situation echoes the experiences of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist from The Golden Bachelor, whose marriage ended in divorce after just three months due to disagreements over living arrangements. The nature of the Golden franchise often highlights such dilemmas, especially for older contestants, many of whom are established in their careers and family lives and are reluctant to leave those behind. To manage their differing locations, Joan and Chock have devised a plan to split their time among Kansas, Maryland, and New York City. However, as they navigate their new life together, it’s evident that Joan has little intention of permanently relocating to Kansas.
Joan Values Proximity to Her Family
Her Four Children from Her Late Husband
Joan’s commitment to her family is non-negotiable. The considerable distance between Chock’s home in Kansas and her family in Maryland means that relocating there would put her at risk of prolonged separations from her support system. While the travel between Maryland and New York City is manageable, the journey to Kansas demands significantly more time and effort. Although she might endure short stays, over the long term, this arrangement becomes untenable for her.
This deep connection to her family became apparent during her appearance on The Golden Bachelor. When her daughter faced a health scare, Joan made the difficult decision to leave the show, prioritizing her children’s well-being over her burgeoning romance with Gerry. Her family-focused values were again displayed on The Golden Bachelorette, where any potential partner needed to echo those sentiments.
This holiday season was particularly telling of her preferences, as Joan hosted Chock and his children at her Maryland home for Christmas festivities. She even adorned the house with customized stockings that included every member of their new blended family, signaling that her Maryland residence has become the couple’s primary home base, and she relishes this arrangement.
Joan & Chock Envision Life in New York City
The Appeal of New York City Over Kansas
Should Joan decide to change her permanent residence, New York City seems more fitting than Kansas. New York has long been a aspiration for Joan, and now, it is a dream she shares with Chock. During the finale of The Golden Bachelorette, Chock presented Joan with a symbolic key, representing their intention to purchase a home together in the city. This location epitomizes hope and a new beginning for both, each having faced profound personal losses.
Maryland, where Joan established her family with her late husband John Vassos, carries both beautiful memories and painful reminders of their life together cut short by cancer in 2021. The state signifies a blend of grief and love, whereas New York symbolizes a path forward for Joan and Chock. Having both experienced loss, they view the city as an opportunity to create new memories while honoring their pasts.
Joan and Chock have already dedicated significant time to exploring New York City in search of their ideal home. Their adventures in the city have been key in strengthening their relationship, with Joan expressing how her engagement rekindled hope for a bright future after a challenging chapter in her life. The couple is actively crafting their dream life in a vibrant city that bursts with possibilities, while Kansas remains a part of Chock’s narrative but lacks the allure of urban living.
Kansas Is Too Distant from Joan’s Family
Chock Will Struggle to Persuade Joan to Relocate Permanently
Joan and Chock’s intention to evenly divide their time among their three residences reveals their respect for each other’s established lives while nurturing their relationship. However, the reality of constant travel and the emotional toll of being apart may lead to a desire for a singular, stable home base.
Although Kansas offers its own charm, the distance from Joan’s family makes the idea of permanent relocation impractical. Joan prioritizes her familial ties above all else. Although Chock has family in Kansas, his loved ones are not as deeply rooted in that location as Joan’s substantial and growing Maryland clan. He has two children who have moved to the East Coast, which highlights the difference in their family dynamics. Joan’s four children, accompanied by grandchildren, demand her presence and emotional investment, which she cannot compromise on.
During a recent New Year’s visit to Wichita, Joan had the opportunity to meet many of Chock’s close friends. Despite enjoying the experience, she expressed a desire to return to Maryland to be with her children and grandchildren. This strongly underscores her need to remain close to her family, displaying that, in her heart, she does not consider Kansas as her home. For Joan, Kansas holds Chock’s career opportunities and friendships, while Maryland encompasses her enduring family bonds.
Though Joan is deeply in love with Chock, her children will always take precedence over any romantic relationship. Fortunately, Chock has shown a remarkable ability to be adaptive since his journey on The Golden Bachelorette. His main focus is Joan’s happiness, eliminating the pressure to sacrifice family for romance. Chock is unlikely to convince Joan to move permanently to Kansas, yet their future relationship remains bright, as he seems more than willing to stay close to where Joan feels most at home.
Source: Bachelor Nation/YouTube, Joan Vassos/Instagram
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