Engaged Couple, Meredith Phillips & Ian McKee

Meredith Phillips, ABC-TV's Bachelorette from Portland, Oregon who has modeled for Molly Rahe's Elizabeth Jewelry, Nordstrom and Land's End got the ring she wanted on Thursday night from Bowdoin graduate ('98) and investment banker, Ian McKee.

Meredith Modeling Elizabeth Jewelry

Actually, the ring "fit for a Princess" was originally placed on her finger two months ago when the show was being taped. Last night during the live show of The Bachelorette: After The Final Rose Ian re-presented the ring he had picked out for her at Leons in Los Angeles.

Two months ago, he was not certain he would propose to her even if she selected him. In fact, he promised to his brother than he would not, "if it came to this." Then, Ian admitted afterwards that his emotions took over, he got caught up in the moment when all the walls came crumbling down despite the walls and rules he had created for himself. In the moment, he couldn't deny Meredith this opportunity.

Meredith with The Final Rose

The Final Rose Ceremony

On Wednesday night, after making his entrance, Ian was encouraged to relax.

Meredith began her announcement by saying, "I am very happy. And I am very happy that I met you," she said to Ian. "Everything that you give to me, I didn't think I would ever find. I don't want to be away from you, ever."

The camera pans to Ian who smiles.

Back to Meredith.

She continues: "Know that I will also take care of you." Ian nods. With the camera on their hands, she squeezes him and goes on, "And know that you will have nothing to worry about."

Both smile.

He's clearly into the moment. She leans to him and says "Stop, you're making me nervous." He leans toward her and tenderly responds, "No, no. It's o.k."

Meredith continues, "Ian, I want to be with you. And I don't ever see myself without you. And I am so absolutely so, so in love with you; it's crazy. And I have never felt this way before."

As she begins to get choked up, he wraps her in his arms, says "I'm so scared, baby" then kisses her.

Could the producers ever script this any better? A complete turn-of-events?

All of us watching thought that this time the producers had decided to mix it up by showing the winner first, just to throw us all for a loop. But no. After a heart-wrenching goodbye to Matthew, Meredith sweeps us in to her world with Ian.

And in Ian's response we get a glimpse of what he believes was simply meant to be. Ian says to Meredith, "That first day I walked out of the limo," he says with a twinkle in his eye, "when I saw you, I knew."

Meredith, with a look of shock, expresses with her eyes that she can't believe it's true.

He then goes on to say, "I just worry that everything has happened so fast."

Meredith agrees.

Ian says "I'm scared. But..." Meredith echoes, "but..."

Ian gathers himself and goes on, "I trust my instincts. And that's that you're my girl." They kiss. He goes onto ask, "Do you think we can make it?" She combs her fingers through his hair and shakes her head, yes.

Ian pulls away and says "Well, I have a little something something. A little present."

In elation and disbelief, she puts her hand over her face and says, "Oh, my God."

Ian Proposes to Meredith

Ian gets on his knee, and says "I can't believe I'm doing this." He looks up at her and asks "Will you?" She says, "Yes." He says, "You will?" She says, "Yes!"

He wraps his arms around her. They kiss tenderly, passionately. She promises him that it will be o.k. He tells her he wants to put the ring on her finger. They hug again, and we can't believe we are witnessing this.

Ian goes on to explain, "I knew that because I was here. This is so not what I expected. Not me. When I walked in, I knew it has to be." "Right?" he says. "It has to work. I know it does."

As they kiss again, the camera pans to the one remaining rose on the gold plate and we hear Meredith's voice say, "I'm so happy. Everything that I went through was all worth it for tonight. Ian made it all worth it."

As she pins the rose on his lapel, she says "You'll accept this, right?" He agrees to accept the rose. They laugh. He gives a little gesture like "Hey, that wasn't so tough." They hug again. She laughs her adorable laugh.

As we watch another moment of tenderness we hear Ian's voice say, "I am the happiest man. There is no question. I'm absolutely 100% sure that she is my soulmate. I believe that we are right together. I love her. And we have something we can take for the rest of our lives."

In Meredith's diary published on ABC's site, she said after the taping:

Tonight made everything that I went through in the past six weeks worth it. I know I've had hard times through this, but Ian pulled me through. I have been continuously tired, I've cried, I've worried; but it is all okay now. The fact that he is going to be in my life forever makes me happier than I can say. When I had to break up with Matthew today, Ian was the only thing I could think of that made it okay. I didn't know if Ian was going to propose or not, but I am so in love with him, that it didn't even matter. Ian could have given me a ring out of a gumball machine; that is how much I love him. It doesn't matter; all that matters is that we are together now. The night was so intense for us both, but I got my happy ending, and I got Ian as well.

At the tail end of the show, we loved Ian's shout of joy, relief, disbelief, happiness. We also loved the relaxed interaction between Ian, Meredith and the voice of the producer as the credits rolled. It was fun to see the two in the moment - after the formally taping was complete. The moment allowed us to see a side of Ian that made us love Meredith's choice all the more.

We learned that Ian did not know he would propose when he walked in. However, when he saw her he said, "It was done. I could never deny her this opportunity." Meredith chimes in "To be with you for the rest of our lives?"

Ian embraces Meredith and shakes his head, yes.

In their last moment on tape, Ian says in between kisses. "So." Kiss. "That's." Kiss. "The" Kiss. "End." The engaged couple looks at the camera. Ian's final word, "Ciao." Meredith smiles and say, "Done."

Done!

Well done!!

Then last night, the couple, who were apart for two months and were sworn to secrecy until two nights ago got re-engaged. Ian brought the ring with him onto the stage. In front of the live studio audience he said, "I'm here to finish my sentence. Meredith, will you marry me, baby?" Two months ago, she had heard his unspoken proposal. Tonight, he proposed again. And she said, "Yes!"

Host, Chris Harrison was the first to congratulate them and announce that it is official, "You are engaged!"

Ian went on to admit that the night he first walked out of the limo he was in trouble, and on "a road to win the heart of this girl."

We learned that never before in his life had Ian said that word, "L-O-V-E" to a woman. However, last night, he was happy to reiterate twice "I love this girl."

Phillips and McKee's love story began when Phillips signed up for The Bachelor in an attempt to find her soulmate when Bob Guiney was the Bachelor. When Bob did not choose her ABC-TV chose Meredith to become the next Bachelorette after Trista.

Thanks to Meredith's experience on The Bachelorette, she found her soulmate. Ultimately, she chose an adventuresome twenty-nine year-old investment banker originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil over Matthew Hickl, the sauve football stud from Friendswood, Texas.

For as different as these two men are personality-wise, they had two things in common:

1) They are both jocks. (Matt is a former football and track & field star who broke the NCAA record while competing for Texas A & M. Ian is a former lacrosse and soccer star who holds Bowdoin's record for most career assists.)

2) They both were (at least two months ago) in-love with Meredith Phillips.

On Thursday night, during Episode 7 of the second Bachelorette show, over fifteen (15) million people watched as Meredith shocked many by breaking up with Matthew, and presented her final rose to the New York investment banker.

On The Bachelorette, she described Ian as a great man, who is intriguing, intelligent, who has traveled, and who comes from a great family. She said, "I am very physically attracted to him. The way that he makes me feel is amazing."

On Thursday, she and her selected suitor appeared in a live broadcast of The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose.

About the man she has chosen:

McKee majored in Economics and minored in Spanish while studying at Bowdoin. He was also a sports enthusiast; he was co-captain of the men's soccer team in 1997 and even holds school records for most career assists as well as for the 1997 season (11 and 6 respectively). McKee was also a member of the men's lacrosse team.

He studied abroad in Santiago, Chile. McKee belonged to the International Club as an underclassman as well.

Lisa Peterson of The Bowdoin Orient wrote on February 4, 2004:

Currently, the 29-year-old Brazil native is taking time off from working in equity research sales in New York City to travel the world and learn to surf and play the guitar. He became involved in the show after co-workers sent in an application for him to be on The Bachelor. After ABC contacted him, he declined the offer.

However, a year later, a number of factors worked together to make him agree to go on The Bachelorette. However, McKee said, "I didn't believe I was doing it even when I was there."

He added that watching the show now is surreal. "I couldn't stop laughing," he said. "It's like you were in a dream watching yourself. You're seeing your own mannerisms."

McKee said that it was a challenge to constantly be in front of cameras, especially with no performance experience. "You're just sitting there and have to think of something smart to say," he said.

McKee described the living arrangement as "a frat situation the entire time." He stressed that there was no outside stimulation, like radio, TV, or newspapers. McKee said, "[Editing] can make us all look bad, but these guys were pretty cool. I really like them all. All the dramatic stuff you see is the most dramatic."

The Pacific Northwest's KATU 2 learned that Meredith is under contract with the show until next year, so that has meant putting her career as a model and makeup artist on hold.

"I'm definitely able to work, but I haven't had any time to work because I'm always doing interviews," she told KATU. Her interview with them, for instance, lasted seven hours. They started by hiking in the Hollywood Hills, then moved on to coffee, then to shopping and finally to a cooking lesson.

Even when she is not working, people on the street come up and want to talk to her.

Meredith continues to enjoy the luxury of limos when on location. However, other parts of her life are back to "normal." When she is not working for The Bachelorette she drives a 1994 Ford Explorer at home in Oregon.

Now that The Meredith and Ian Show moves to a private stage, they no longer have to live privately -- which sounds a bit ironic. We all heard how much they look forward to leading private lives together like going to dinner, to a movie, and just doing normal things.

Congratulations Meredith and Ian! We believe in love. And we believe in you.

Enjoy your all-expenses-paid trip to Brazil! What a class act on ABC's part!!

~Jennifer

Inspire & Be Inspired

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we're counting on the powers-that-be to convince Matthew Hickl to become ABC's next Bachelor. No doubt, the sales exec and part-time model with Neal Hamil Agency won over the hearts of many over the past few months.

Just as Meredith was selected to become the Bachelorette after not winning Bob Guiney's heart on The Bachelor, fifteen million or more who tune into this reality show would love to see Matthew Hickl find true love as the next Bachelor after Canadian, Jesse Palmer, the 25 year-old NFL Back-up Quarterback for the New York Giants, gets his chance this April.

If you know of anyone who would make a great Bachelor, Warner Brothers would like to hear from you. To nominate their sixth Bachelor to be aired on ABC, go to:

The Bachelor Casting

I asked a friend a good questioned “ why is does the boat moved”? I was staying in a boat for three long day’s.
A friend told me, “ when you moved your pillow eight time’s you we’ll noticed that a large wave’s camed our way, and that is the reason behind the moving of the large boat”.
Year’s had passed, when I was in college, I secretly moved the pillow eight time’s, until I saw the new’s on television that the boat had collapsed and it was becaused of a large wave’s.
In life, it was only now that I realized that the pillow had nothing to do with having large wave’s. I had a conscience after all thosed year’s, until now that it made me clear that life is filled with knowledge and curiosity.
When I was still a child, I asked a friend “ How do I travel to go to a placed called Chicago?
My friend told me “all you need is to do is to graduate from college with a Bachelor of Science Major in Civil Engineering”.
My friend also told me “ then you walked a five hundred mile’s and eventually you we’ll find a map.”
My friend also told me” in the map you’ll noticed that you we’ll find the instruction’s of finding “Chicago”.
My friend also told me” after running another five hundred mile’s you we’ll see the friend who you are looking for”.
When I was in high school, I was looking forward to graduate from school.
When I was in high school, I tried walking but I told myself five hundred mile’s is a long walked and I don’t think I’ll find the map, but I secretly did it myself”.
Until today, I decided to buy myself a map, only to find the friend’s who saved my life, to find a journey filled with happiness and sadness.

A friend till end,
Rina

October 1, 2005

Dear Meredith,
Hi! How are you? I hoped you're doing fine. As for me, I'm fine, it's just that I'm wondering if you're my friend from Dominican Day's, who had an excellent grade only to migrate in the United States of America. I think I haved a friend by your named and I really wonder where she is, until I got a surprised that you looked exactly the beautiful girl I haved known when I was still at the age of five year's old.

The life of a good brother.

As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, I remember the day's when I met a friend named Meredith Philip's and I think she has a brother named Leo but I can be wrong becaused my memory could be wrong.
As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, my ultimate goal in my life knowing there are many aspect's of life is to take good care of the friendship I onced had with a friend named Leo until I got sensitived information's that only emotion's could flow as tear's with uncontrollable problem's I haved nothing to do.
As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, as I was drinking with some friend's with no racial discrimination one day, a friend onced told me I hoped thesed we'll never be the last jdrink I'll haved with a friend knowing how expensived the cost of living today.
As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, legal matter's should be placed into justiced, but I gussed my passed kept on coming back I remember the day's when a friend said I hoped thesed we'll not be our last breath of happiness when it come's to friendship, becaused I'm feeling the grasp of limited air that I very much needed.
As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, I choosed to guide my friend named Leo to a placed that has nothing to do with drug's and evil and I got a surprised that it was not easy to bodyguard a friend named Leo after all the last breath of happiness that has happen to our live's ever sinced we were still a child, the good memories we shared as the unwanted visitor's passe's by filled with jealousy.
As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, in my life, I choosed to learned all the principle's of the college subject's so easily with friend's but the emotion's that has something to do with accident's or not accident's haved no cure.
As I say my last breath of the most saddest speech of my life, in my life, life is not an animation that we could just color the existenced of memories of the good journey's together, friendship is not a coloring book. When two friend's see each other, onced again, the glanced of silenced haved alway's been in the air with all the grieved of losing a friend.

Take care. May God Bless you. Thank you for being a friend.

A friend till end,
Rina Luz Galeste Borja

August 7, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! how are you? I'm really not enjoying having million's of beautiful friend's who just broke my heart for reason's I haved no idea. But I never said i was perfect, becaused I haved huge plan's in leaving my country for reason's I just want to haved a privacy i really want.

The Cinderella story.

The friendship I had that never lasted, living a friend is causing emotional pain that i've avoided for year's.
The friendship I had that never lasted, I question myslef a million time's "what did I do wrong?The friendship I had that never lasted, I gaved my perfect score, but I received a gossip's that destroyed my life.
The friendship I had that never lasted, I gaved a flower that we both enjoyed but it seem's there's alway's a different color, that is something I don't understand.
The friendship I had that never lasted, a friend and I went to a placed called somewhere in the mountain, that is filled with happiness that no one can take away thosed moment's.
The friendship I had that never lasted, knocking a door, is something I'm looking forward to.
The friendship I had that never lasted, I', so much in phoebia after giving my excellenced in life.
The friendship I had that never lasted, i'm afraid of riding motor bike's, but for a friend I still holdiong on to the accident that might happen.
The friendship I had that never lasted, the rain we both esperienced is the most happiest moment's in my life, becaused I slept at thier home.
The friendship I had that never lasted, sitting at a chair at my friend's house is the most happiest moment's of my life.
The friendship I had that never lasted, eating and drinking at the bar's with a friend is the most happiest moment's of my life.
The friendship I had that never lasted, everybody say's that opur friendship would never last, and I kept on closing my eye's and praying that the day would never last.
The friendship I had that never lasted, I wanted to faint all my life, when my frien d choosed a caeer that never realized that we both haved no time for each other.
The friendship I had that never lasted, money is a huge word.
The friendship I had that never lasted, but birthday has a lot much meaning to it.
The friendship I had that never lasted, life could be the most happiest moment;s of my life if only friendship would never brake for reason's I kept on questioning myself where did I go wrong.
The friendship I had that never lasted, in a million year's, all I wanted is to stay with a friend forever, no matter what problem's come's our way.
The friendship I had that never lasted, problem's exist only when jealousy other people put a greed on to what we haved which is friendship.

take care. You probably haved forgotten me, but I haved been looking for you.

A friend till end,
Rina,

August 7, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! How are you? I'm just a comedian by nature. I've learn to say "yes" in everthing my beautiful friend's say's no matter what.

The friendship.

Two friend's who got separated, the plane that flew in a million mile's left a friend.
Two friend's who got separated, I've kept myself in a private life.
Two friend's who got separated, and I'm just surprised why some beautiful friend's get's mad, for reason's I just laugh.
Two friend's who got separated, the rich got surprised when million's of people just wanted to haved the poor friend to be thier friend.
Two friend's who got separated, some people were born to be a good person.
Two friend's who got separated, some people were born to wait.
Two friend's who got separated, some people remain beautiful.
Two friend's who got separated, siome people remain crying in a million time's as far as friend's haved no idea.
Two friend's who got separated, being sad for a reson, is a step to a stair's filled with friendship that is very much with a door.
Two friend's who got separated, the door I knock had been filled with lock.
Two friend's who got separated, I decided to changed a door, but the question is "I'am I ready to knock a door again?
Two friend's who got separated, knocking a door with a "hello" is a difficult thing to do when we just broke up with a friendship filled with innocenced and love.

A friend till end,
Rina

August 7, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! How are you? I hoped you're doing fine. A friend is someone you both enjoyed everymoment of your life that has nothing to do with being sad.

The Life.

The beauty I onced said "hello", does not remember me?
The beauty I onced said "hello", married a man who became my boyfriend that is filled with emotional pain which my friend's haved no idea.
The beauty I onced said "hello", a glimpsed is a perfect choiced, but I guessed I'm just in an adjustment period of being so excited.
The beauty I onced said "hello", is a meory filled with happiness and sadnest.
The beauty I onced said "hello",ever sinced i met a friend named "Rachel", I'ved learned to say "Yes" no matter how tired I'am.
The beauty I onced said "hello", has told some people that it's not her lost for losing a poor friend just liked I'am.
The beauty I onced said "hello", it's not my lost in losing a rich and famous friend in a peaceful way of life, in a miliion tear's.
The beauty I onced said "hello", is a Senator today, who made my life filled with happiness and mysteries.
The beauty I onced said "hello", the model who forgotten meeting me afterall we haved been true, but definitely bot becaused of money.
The beauty I onced said "hello", haved alway's been strict in my life which i haved no complain's.
The beauty I onced said "hello", I'm just standing in a corner filled with emotional pain for being poor.
The beauty I onced said "hello", but I'm looking forward to be rich as soon as I attain a perfect score in a civil engineerring boarexam.
The beauty I onced said "hello", i'm looking forward to be just liked snow white who lived in a mountain filled with privacy.

A friend till end,
Rina

August 7, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! How are you? Somewhere down the road, I never thought that friend's who met in a million year's could still bump at each other.

The Road.

As I was driving my imaginary car, which I don't actually own a car, I remember the day's when I was beautiful as a child until I met a lot of beautiful woman and handsome man in my life.
As I was driving my imaginary car, as year's had gone, I was wondering if my beautiful friend's who lived in the United States of America still had the time to think about me.
As I was driving my imaginary car, my beautiful friend's are now professional's in a field they haved choosed and I'm not wondering if they're rich becaused they haved alway's been an inteligent person even when i was still a child.
As I was driving my imaginary car, I was looking for a friend that sound's exactly just liked your named, and I haved some friend's who are "media" people and I hoped someday where ever my beautiful friend is I never destroyed her privacy in life which I haved no control over such situation's.
As I was driving my imaginary car, there are moment's in life, from experienced I was wondering if i ever say hello to a friend who live's a million mile's, but one thing;s for sure i'm so happy for her.
As I was driving my imaginary car, I was thinking about a friend who might be get mad at me for reason's that has something to do with both our privacy.
As I was driving my imaginary car, I cried a million time's wondering where my beautiful friend's are.
As I was driving my imaginary car, I cried a million time's becaused my beautiful friend's haved no idea that i haved no money and I haved been inflicted emotinal pain and I'm a million time's sad becaused missing a friend is quite a friendship that sacred to me.

a friend till end,
Rina

August 7, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! How are you? I hoped you're doing fine. As for me I'm thankful on the people who still had the time to find the people who becamed a part of my life when it come's to friendship and some people just haved no idea that thier just standing infront of a friend who live's a million's mile's.
There are moment's that I'm aware that I'm the most poor person in the entire world but I alway's believed that faith and future has an actual explanation's for all the experience's that camed our way. Inteligenced is definitely a process that we'll attain the ability of being successful in life, and looking behind at a friend from a glimpsed is a first step to go on with a life that is filled with phobia and emotional pain from friendship that was left behind by jealousy that I haved nothing to do.

Take care. May God Bless you.

A friend till end,
Rina

August 4, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! How are you? A friend is someone you can walk on the road, until you both push the car if there's an engine problem. Life that is filled with huge and heavy rain's could meant the beginning of a friendship. I believed in faith, but I believed in people who learned tio forget a friend for reason's I haved no idea but I've end up being very sad. I alway's believed that there are million's of people with the same named and the same age as the friend I'm looking for afterall thosed year's. I've been looking for Meredith Philip's becaused I must admit she's beautiful and we became bestfriend's. I don't meant to hurt you emotionally. There's thesed book I wanted to attain that is filled with new friend's with the passed back behind my back forever, but I guessed faith has all the answer's.

Take care.

A friend till end,
rina

August 4, 2005

Dear Meredith Philip's,
Hi! How are you? I met a beautiful girl by the named that sound's exactly just liked your's, and the saddest part is that memoties I had just flown in the wind becaused of emotinal pain experienced that I haved nothing to do with. Afterall thosed year's I've been wondering where is the beautiful girl named Meredith Philip's? I'm in the middle of creating a book that has an end, until my memories of you kept on flashing on my face's last night and I just could not believed that faith and God has alway's a reason's for evrthing. I gussed when death is near, people say we remember the good memories we had until we feel thesed emotional pain becaused life is filled with mysteries. Friend's has a long definition for me, but it's alway's a book that is filled with happiness and feeling of being sad for reason I haved no control over such situation's. But I believed that life is filled with many beautiful name's that comed and the desission's are not mine to say. a million name's could meant friendship but a million mile's could meant a perfect score in a civil engineeriong boardexam that is not impossible if there are no if's.

A friend till end,
Rina

Dear Meredith,
Hi! How are you? I lived a million mile's away from your country, but word's can meant a neighbor apart. Some people believed in prediction's but I believed in inteligenced and knowledge that has the evidenced to maked dream'sand the most impossible moment's comed true. I believed friend's exist for a reason, and friendshp was meant to last until people would never eixst. I liked having beautifulfriend's from a two hundred meter radius distance and I liked it when I just see beautiful woman and handsome man from a very far distance, becaused I'm not the person who write's to beautiful woman to be hopedful in becoming friend'd. I alway's believed God has a reason for everything, I onced had a beautiful woman as a friend and her named is Rachel, and we were introduced by a common friend which I haved nothing to do. Having a friend just liked beautiful Rachel was the most happiest moment's in my life, but I guessed rachel had to let me go becaused I had to find a job to feed my hungry stomach. Rachel is the most beautiful woman I haved ever seen in my entire life, but I gussed in life, Rachel had to sacrifice not seeing me becaused she could not feed my hungry stomach. My friendship with a beautiful woman ended in a million tear's but that is an experienced that made me understand that life is filled with happiness and sadnest. I guess poverty exist in life for a reason, and onced I could be succesful in my life, I'll alway's remember the people who haved alway's been concern in my life and that include's the Rachel in my life who haved never been a sister I never grew up with.

Take care. May God Bless you.

A friend till end,
Rina

Dear Meredith Philips,

The Glimpse.

As I glance a million miles away from the journey filled with joy, lowering my option's in life which lead to a knowledge I attain from school. The famous bachelorette becoming the strongest individual making difficult decision's. It is safe to say, that friendship is an infinite consistency of happiness that both enjoyed in a favorite sport and idea's of life and politic's, as long as it does not hurt anyone in that is so much involved. Some people lived thier dream's, in granting an ultimate study of mathematic's only to attain the excellence of being the best around the world, and to be disguised as a person with so much great love for friend's. The integrity and respect we acquire give's us confidence in being humane. The comedy of error's make's us realized that privacy is the only ultimate happiness we could attain only with the friend's we trust and love. The are moment's that I often question where the invisible word camed from, if only I could express the comedian I'am to the people I love and who appreciate's and does not critized my personality.

A friend till end,
Rina

Dear Meredith,

The Name

The beauty that has a lot of domination over a million people watching, that change's our live's for the excellenced from experienced. The lifestyle of a simple individual which neighboring countries neatly await's the final decision to compel a friendship a million miles,with so much humility and sincerety.The modern new's affect's our privacy and friendship with the one's we love, but the greatness within the goodness of mankind is evident .Take care.

A friend till end,
Rina

Everytime I see you, I remeber the day's when I first got the glimpsed of all the happiness I deserved, until I got a lot of tsunamy in my life and people would jsut don't noticed, but still meredith is beautiful.

Thank God people !!!!
I thought it was just me, I have never seen anything so romantic in my life, and am still watching the tapes here in New Zealand, as we have just seen the final show...

Please let us know when they get married...

I love the show and was sooo surprised when Meredith chose Ian, I really loved Mathew and hope he is the next batchelor, I am so looking forward to watch those bulging biceps once again. Hey Matt, you need someone to give the final rose to - choose me. Love Al. (NZ)

hey me again if anyone has any pictures or photos or videos of Meredith and ian please send them to Aimee lea Landrigan 28 Princess St Waitara New Plymouth New Zealand thank alot it would be very much appreciated!! xoxox

hey there i absoulutely loved the show!!! meredith is the best batchelorette ever. she is my idol i have watched this show from the very start and i knew that ian and meredith would be the final outcome. i am very happy for both of you and i hope your together forever. meredith keep smiling and laughing. your laugh is sooo cute!!!!!!!!!!! well i have to go now im in school so cya lata and i hope that your together for ever and ever. p.s Meredith i think you should come over to New Zealand because we are all fans of yours at New Plymouth Girls High School and we adore you!!!!. well got to go lots of love Aimee Lea Landrigan 28 princess st waitara New Plymouth New Zealand. xoxoxox

i know this is kinda late but in singapore the show just finished airing...anyway, just wanted to say that the show's very misleading..i thought that meredith would choose matthew instead.. i think that he'd have made a better choice than ian..but what the heck..she's in love with him ryte...all the best to them..

matthew, i hope u find true love soon...pls air him as the next bacheLor..

Matt was a better catch gone to waste......

well, I just have to say: This was great! I have now seen a lot of realiy-tv, here in Norway they send more and more. We have also tried to copy the bachelor and bachelorette from Usa, which I personally did'nt think was a huge success. Reality-tv is very often stupid, we all know that. But I always watch something. and I have my favourites. Meredith and Ian - they were and are the best!!!!! There will never be anyone like them again. I loved them- and Ian was my favourite from day ONE. I am so thrilled that the other persons who have written here agrees. They were good and real. Wish them all the best :D

A wonderful lovestory to watch ! My husband and I have been watching the show every time and were cheering for Lanny. Matt and Ian from the very first episode! Lanny's mother should cool down abit, if I was his date, I would run like mad from there - spooky!! Matt was adorable - please let him be the next bachelor???!!!!!! ( A BIG request from a happy couple in Norway,Scandinavia!!!!!! )

Best of luck to the happy couple!!! Ian and Meredith: Obrigado!!!
Tone & James

I thought this was the best show. Meredith was so more real than trista. ANd so true to her beliefs. I was so glad that she found some one. I hope Ian lives up to be her Prince.

For me it was Ian from the beginning. Meredith you did good. going with the heart is the true and genuine thing to do. I only wish someone could beg implore you to let us see the wedding. We all fell in love with your story and happiness. We don't want to intrude, just share your happiness., because watching you has restored my faith in Love.
Yeah, Kelly Jo would be a great little batchelorette. For that matter there are several people I would like to see from the bathelors to the batchelorettes come back and get their chance. Charley, Matt, Lance if his mother doesn't scare the stuffuns out of the gals, and several other guys as well. Helene is another truely quality person. If we can't see the wedding can we see some published pictures? It could be small and intimate and still be videoed right? The best to you both. For me it was Ian from the beginning, I wish you life long love and happiness.

I saw meredith and ian at a tommy hilfiger fashion show in my town, and I actually met them and got my picture made with them! They were extremely polite to me, and made sure my picture turned out before they left. They are even more beautiful in person, her skin was flawless!

I absolutely loved the entire show this season. From from the "limo" to the "final rose" America was able to watch a love story unfold. I was thrilled with Medidith's choice, because they looked so right together. I believe they complement one another in every regard and most definitely look for a long and lasting relationship. I missed the final show, but recorded the "After the Final Rose" show and have watched it at least twice daily since. I know people are craving to see "happy endings" when daily we are faced with many very sad ones. Good job to all involved.

I was glad Meredith picked Ian. They just fit. As for Mattthew he should definitely be the next Bachelor and you know your ratings with skyrocket.

As for the next bachelorette...It should definitely be Kelly Jo. I just love her. Bob Guniey blew it. Anway, I hope that Matt and KJ meet the right people for them. I know everyone thought Meredith was going to pick Mattt..but I was one of those that picked Ian from the beginning. Good luck to Meri and Ian.

I agree that Meredith is a smart cookie. A soulmate who is intelligent, sexy, adorable, thoughtful, who loves adventure and travel. Who wouldn't want that!
They both got it when they found each other. God bless them.

I also think Kelly Jo would make an excellent bachelorette. I think she is kind, honest, adorable, and is honestly looking for a real soulmate. I think she would love him forever, and provide him with alot of joy and fun and adventure, and zest for living. She is indeed a doll. Hear this, ABC?

Maybe she would take up with some of the guys Meredith didn't choose.

How bout it, ABC?

I thought it was just lovely. I thought Ian was just a hunk, but I really thought she was going to pick Matt, because he seem more stable and I thought thats what she wanted, a stable man and husband, but Ian to me was just one hunk!!! Hope it works out for the two of them. Them seem to really care for one another. Time will tell.

What a wonderful series and what a fabulous finale! The finale was the single most romantic thing I have ever seen! I love the idea of ABC releasing a tape of just Meredith and Ian, including as many outtakes as possible. Please write and request this at:
Lisa Levenson
c/o ABC Television
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank CA 91521-4551
I am wearing my tape out watching it over and over and over, and would love to see new footage that tells more of the whole story of this charming couple.

Excellent article! Yes, I loved Ian the first time he came out of the limo! Great choice, Meredith. Best of luck to the both of you, you both deserve each other.

I loved this season! Meredith protrays herself with a sense of elegance and class. I respected the activities that the dates were instead of the typical "swim, spa, hot tub, bikini shower" type of thing. Meredith just seemed so much more REAL! While it was painful to watch the goodbye to Matthew, I was so happy to see the end be with Ian. I felt like Meredith knew what a kind, secure, and nice man Matthew was. It seems that she was trying to convince herself to be with him. Yes, she may have said things that were not the best.....hey, us REAL people do that too. However, in the end, she couldn't let the feeling she had with Ian go......no matter what the risk and uncertainty. The Final Rose Ceremony seemed REAL as well. Nothing rehersed or practiced. My own proposal was a fumbling, romatic mess. I loved seeing Ian so nervous and thought that it was perfect.....so much better than a CANNED speech. Good luck and be happy Ian and Meredith! I am cheering for you.

If you have a tape of the final episode please e-mail cswmama1@aol.com. As stated in the previous comment my 79 year old mother-in-law missed the final episode and is very upset. Thanks

I would love to find a tape of the final episode. My 79 year old mother-in-law missed this episode and is very upset. Please e-mail if you have a copy. Thanks

Beautiful article. I am so happy Meredith went with her heart to seek love and found her soulmate, Ian. Meredith and Ian have a free spirited energy and connection within them which I believed will lead to years of enjoying a challenging and exciting life full of passion and love. Best wishes to them!

I am absolutely elated that Meredith chose Ian. It was the best out of all the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows thus far. I know they want a private wedding, however the public has invested so much time on them already it would be a real treat to see them married like Trista and Ryan. (Maybe a city wedding this time.) I think they should rethink a televised wedding. Trista and Ryan's ended up grand. Why not theirs too!

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one so taken with this love story. I've analyzed the outtakes that I have taped and would so love to see more.

I agree with the comments made above. I have never been one to watch reality TV and didn't understand the hype about Trista and Ryan. But Meredith caught my attention and I loved her energy and spirit that shown through the TV screen. Then I got caught up with the show and was taken in by Ian. His quiet strength came through and I felt his pull between-"this isn't real, this isn't me, I'm not ready for a serious relationship", and " What's happening here, I am falling head over for this girl!" The FRC was so touching for both of them and I hope that they can get comfortable with their "off camera, real relationship" as that was truly a nice fantasy to fall in love within.

Would love to see, hear or read follow up on them also.

An absolutly adorable couple that I beleive in my heart were meant to be together and will live forever in love.

I've been trying to figure this out for a week. Throughout the whole series, I really liked and respected Meredith for her straight-talking ways...for her assertiveness...for her wit and intelligence. But I am so very disappointed in her for saying what she did to Matthew about the ring. Even if the producers wanted her to say something that would add "intrigue" to the final rose ceremony, I cannot understand why she said what she did to Matthew when she clearly didn't feel it or believe it. That seemed to go against everything she stood for. And her excuses on the "After" show were nothing but bogus. I feel let down and disappointed, and much less likely to watch any future shows of this sort.

This was the best one yet! I know they seem to be private people, but I would love to see them get married on live television. I got so involved in the two of them! I knew Ian was the one the second he stepped out of the limo. And now I search for any update on the two of them. Tell them we would love to continue watching them grow as a couple! They seemed to be truly in love.

I think that kelly jo would make a good bacheloreette .I think that matt should be the next bachelor he's s o cute and good loooking he derserves to find true love.

Thanks for the article.

I want to wish Meredith every happiness with her new fiance. She's earned it. It was a long, hard, process, with a lot of competition from the men for her hand -- those Texas boys put a lot of pressure on her. Like my mama says, that ol' state is still kind of a rough-and-tumble place, and those fellas do seem to take their courting seriously. I'm sorry that Matthew had to be disappointed, but I think his sounding off now is as much about grandstanding for the cameras as it is about feeling hurt. (That's show biz.) I continue to like Lanny better despite the problems with his mother. He's a good lookin', gentle soul with a nice sense of humor -- should do well. And Best Wishes to all the other bachelors!!

i would like to see matt as the next bachelor

hey

Never before in my life have I been so invested and so blown away by a show. Throughout the whole process, I painfully watched Meredith struggle to reconcile her heart and her head--Ian or Matthew. By her own admission, she had followed her heart before and been hurt and I think this time she really wanted to make the choice that was right for her. I think she was truly torn right up until the time Ian met her family and received the affirmation from them that they saw in Ian what her heart had been telling her all along. That didn't mean she didn't love Matthew--she just wasn't in love with him. I loved abby's post equating Ian and Meredith's journey with "The Gift of the Magi" because I see the exact same parrallel. I have watched the tapes over and over again and am just so overwhelmed with their story. I've written abc and asked that they please put out their story--along with as many of the outtakes as possible--on tape or dvd. I really hope they get bombarded with requests and make that happen. As much as I would love to see more of this wonderful couple, I truly hope they will stay out of the public eye and just concentrate on making all their dreams come true!

What a fantastic article and perfect story to a perfect ending. Ian stole the heart of Meredith and of many more people than everyone thought. He's cute, charsmatic, charming, funny and extremely pasionate. Matthew was perfect in every way that a husban could be. However, Meredith is a city girl who wanted excitement, laughter, travel, and most of all passion. She got what she wanted, even though she knew Mattew was a 'perfect' match for someone; just not her. I feel for Matthew and what he went through, but as Ian said "it could have been him". For all of the bachelors/bachelorettes who have gone before these two lovebirs, this was the most outstanding "love" story ever. Thanks ABC...susan

Great article that captured the emotion of the show. It was the most romantic, genuine and hearfelt ending to ANY reality dating show. I feel "emotionally invested" in the relationship, and wish Meredith and Ian the best. The ending was so romantic and emotional, my husband, who is a wonderful man but not much of a romantic, got caught up in the moment, embraced me and told me how much he loves me! :)

What a wonderful article. This should be posted on the ABC message board. I've read the article over several times and get the same "good old feeling" over and over again.

This was a good article. Congratulations to Meredith and Ian. But Matthew, I also wish you the best of luck. youre a wonderful guy. You'll do great with whatever you decide to do in the future. Congrats once again Meredith and Ian. THEYRE ADORABLE

Beautiful ariticle. I absolutely love Ian and Meredith. Please keep us up to date on them. ALso, would love to see Mathew as the next Bachelor. He has so much class and needless to say, is extremely good looking.

The best recap I have ever read in the history of reality show recaps!!! Is there any other work by this writer on the web. I would love to read.

Best wishes for a happy life together to Ian and Meredith. Any woman who continuously straightens a man's tie NEEDLESSLY, is really in love. Ian will always keep life interesting for her and I wish them their 3-5 children.

Don't leave the public view entirely. I have already worn out the tape rewatching the FRC and the AFTER.
Vinnnie

Just a nice story on Meredith and Ian

They are one couple I wish would remain public! I'm sure their wedding would be a class act.
Come back to us Meredy & Ian- we miss you already!
Congratulations!

This article sends such happiness to everyone who reads it. I couldn't watch the last episode because I couldn't bare to see Matthew's heart broken. In my heart I knew Meredith would choose Ian. How could she not, they are a perfect match. I wish the beautiful couple much happiness. They remind us that passion and love are what we live for!

This was a fantastic article and a great and moving re-cap of Meredith and Ian's love story. I loved the final rose ceremony and have watched it many times. Someone at the FORT website had compared Meredith and Ian's ending to O Henry's "The Gift of the Magi":
by LmyQ: The parallel I see with Meredith and Ian is that Meredith was willing to give up her dream of ending the journey with a proposal and ring to just be with Ian unconditionally. Ian gave up all his talk of doing things his way, in private, against his promise to Erik, to give Meredith the perfect ending he knew she wanted. It's like in both of them giving up their strongest "positions", they've gotten everything they both wanted."

I totally agree. I wish Meredith and Ian the best.
- toni

Great article! I wish all the best to Meredith and Ian. I knew it would be Ian from the time he first stepped out of the limo and she straightened his tie. It was the BEST and MOST romantic FRC ever!! I just wish I had taped it so I could watch it gain and again! Ian is so handsome and well versed and Meredith is so lucky!

Such a wonderful synopsis and positively insightful perspective. With all the crazy "he said, she said" analysis and criticism about the show this season, it's clear that at this moment, these two are blissfully happy. And in the end, we all LOVE love.

Thanks for the definitive update on Meredith and Ian...I predicted she would choose this man of class and elegance despite his supposedly unstable life. Meredith is no dummy - as lovely a person as Matthew was, she could see the predictable path her life would take as his wife. With Ian, she will have passionate love, intellectual stimulation, and I expect , a better life overall.

Great article! My husband accidentally taped over After the Rose....so I was desperate to find some info from it. Thanks!

Every time I relive that proposal I tear up all over again! Thanks for a beautiful recap!!!!! The most real, touching and romantic love scene I have ever seen in the media. No scripted TV or movie could ever compare!

Absolutly the best article written about Meredith and Ian!! If only more articles as beautiful as this would be published on the web!!

Well done! Summed up the shows and captured the feelings. Especially liked your closing: We believe in love. We believe in you.

This is so beautifully written I cried when I read it!

great article!!!!!!!!!!!!!!