PHOENIX, AZ, Feb. 20, 2003 – I love it when I am right!!!!

Christensen

Trista has my final approval. I can't say I don't think Charlie is a great guy. He obviously proved that during the six weeks of the show. However, like I'm sure all of America found out for themselves, Ryan is a unique person. He is a gentle, caring, kind and genuine soul that wears not only his heart but his entire persona on his sleeve. In my opinion it says a lot about him that he could emotionally make it through the entire process while totally revealing himself to the woman he loves while knowing that she was having the same experience the two of them were sharing with another man.

"I love it when I am right!!"
B. Gossage/WNBAE/Getty Images

The reason I feel for Ryan more in this area than I do for Charlie is because part of who Charlie is is a very confident – but not overbearingly arrogant – man who knows that he is a good catch. Ryan, on the other hand, is shy and reserved, and like Trista's family recognized, an introvert. He doesn't thrive in social situations like Charlie does. There was something about Ryan that made me sympathize with him the entire process. I never felt sorry for him, but I could tell he was struggling.

It was very fascinating to me to see how extremely different Charlie’s and Ryan's visits to Trista's father's house were. The mood while Charlie was there is the kind of mood you want to be in when you want to play charades, the mood of Ryan's visit is the kind of mood you want to have when you open a bottle of wine, sit around the fireplace and talk about life and poetry.

I can definitely see why Trista feels so safe and comfortable with him. In my opinion, a guy is not worth his own body weight if he doesn't ask your father's permission to ask for your hand in marriage. That showed a lot about the kind of person Ryan is. No matter how shy and uncomfortable he was being there surrounded by Trista's family knowing that Charlie was there the night before, he still had the respect for both Trista and her father to share his intentions with the father.

"I am so happy for Trista and Ryan. I hope that everything works out for them. If it does, reality dating shows will have a track record of 1 for 3. Not bad considering the whole premise... is completely unrealistic."

Now, what about the last individual dates before the last rose ceremony? I was really shocked that Ryan was forward enough to want to stay the night. It really shocked me especially being in his situation you would think the least amount of pressure one applies would be most helpful for their final outcome. But you never know, maybe that is what pushed him over the top; showing that he is not as shy and reserved as he comes across.

I found it very interesting that, if I am not mistaken, Ryan and Charlie both picked the same engagement ring for Trista. I know they could actually choose between only five or six, but still that is amazing that they were both drawn to the same ring.

The actual moment I knew Trista was going to pick Ryan was during the personal videos. When Ryan came on the screen her face told all. She grinned so big I knew that she had made her decision and was in no way doubting it in the least bit. Then when she saw him walk down the stairs to the pool she was completely at ease. She was ready to tell him, finally, what he had been waiting and probing to hear for quite a while. That she chose him, that she knows she has fallen in love with him, sees him and only him in her future. I literally caught myself grinning so hard my face hurt and giving it a couple "fist pumps" that I don't even do to celebrate in games.

I am so happy for Trista and Ryan. I hope that everything works out for them. If it does, reality dating shows will have a track record of 1 for 3. Not bad considering the whole premise of the show is completely unrealistic.

Well, for all you Bachelorette and Bachelor fans, Thursday night at 8pm/7 central, Trista and Ryan will be seeing Charlie for the first time since the show ended. Aaron, bachelor number two, will also be interviewed as well as Helene, the woman he chose. However, Aaron will have some pretty disheartening news for Helene.

Sorry the show is over. We will just have to wait for the next reality television show that catches my fancy!!!

Until then,
Kayte

Missed the last Confessions of a T.V. Addict? Read Kayte's reviews of Episode #5, Episode #4, Episode #3, Episode #2, the "Bachelorette" debut, plus her comparison of herself and Monica, her thoughts on "Friends" and holiday gift-giving or her appreciation for the "Golden Girls." Read Kayte's "Christensen Chronicles" journal entries from the 2002 season: Entry nine Entry eight Entry seven Entry six Entry five Entry four Entry three Entry two Entry one