The Golden Bachelorette: Ways That Joan Vassos And Chock Chapple Are An Inspirational Couple (They Set A Good Example)

The Golden Bachelorette's Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are an inspirational couple in so many ways. They set a great example of how to navigate a relationship later in life. Joan, a 61-year-old private school administrator from Maryland, made her television debut during Gerry Turner's season of The Golden Bachelor. The show broke ground as the first dating show to explore the love lives of people in their golden years, and Joan decided to try her hand at winning Gerry's rose. When a family emergency led to Joan leaving the season early, Joan was last cast as The Golden Bachelorette.

The consolation prize was the best thing that could have happened to Joan because it introduced her to 60-year-old Chock. Joan kicked off The Golden Bachelorette season 1 by meeting Chock and 23 other single men. After a dramatic season of ups and downs, Joan gave her final rose to Chock, and he proposed. Joan and Chock left the show as an engaged couple and embarked on their second chance at love. They've been transparent about the challenges of starting a relationship later in life, and people are finding inspiration in their union.

Joan & Chock Represent Second Chances

It's Never Too Late To Find Love

With more people living longer than ever before, more widowers and divorcees are out there starting new relationships. That's why the inaugural seasons of The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette were well received. Everyone wants to believe in the possibility of second chances, and that's what Joan and Chock came to represent. Their relationship shows it's possible to find love again later in life, and it's a lovely message.

Beyond the notion of second chances, Joan and Chock also represent the idea it's never too late to find love again. Before appearing as a contestant in The Golden Bachelor season 1, Joan was a widowed mother of four, living a quiet life in relative obscurity. She was married to John Vassos for 32 years before he fell ill and passed away in 2021. Joan had never intended to re-enter the dating scene but suddenly found herself alone and decided to give love another shot.

Like Joan, Chock was no stranger to heartbreak. He was married to Heather Chapple for 12 years, and they had two children together, but their marriage fell apart. After a painful divorce, Chock met and fell in love with Katherine Goree. They were engaged for nine years before she got sick and passed away in 2022. Chock suffered even more loss when his mother died while he was filming The Golden Bachelorette. Like Joan, he had to leave the show early, but, unlike Joan, Chock hurried back to be with Joan.

Joan & Chock Are Transparent

They Openly Discuss Their Challenges

Relationships are never easy, but starting a relationship later in life presents unique challenges. Instead of pretending to be the perfect couple, Joan and Chock are open about their struggles. While many people use social media to pretend their lives are perfect, The Golden Bachelorette couple has been refreshingly honest. Instead of presenting an impossible image of an idealistic love story, Joan and Chock are a real couple with real problems. Their radical relationship transparency could explain why fans are flocking to their social media.

Joan and Chock have six adult children between them, and they were both determined to bring all their kids together, but things didn't go as smoothly as they'd hoped. In December, Joan made some comments that suggested there could be trouble in paradise. Joan posted a clip on Instagram of her and Chock discussing their relationship. During the clip, they talk about the good parts of their relationship, but they also talk about their challenges. When Joan talks about family, she admits bringing their families together has been a "little harder right now."

Joan & Chock Had An Amazing 2024

"Never Too Old To Have Dreams Come True"

Before the new year, Joan posted a 2024 recap to Instagram. The minute-long clip pieced together footage and photos from throughout the year and was mostly focused on her relationship with Chock. When Joan lost her husband and Chock lost his fiancée, they never expected to find happiness again. They took a leap of faith when they decided to look for love on national television, and they serve as an inspiration that it's never too late to find love again. Joan's caption reads, "Thank you, 2024 for showing me you're never too old to have dreams come true."

Will Joan & Chock Get Married In 2025?

Only Fools Rush In

Joan and Chock have seemed happy since getting engaged on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, but are in no rush to walk down the aisle. This is in stark contrast to the first Golden Bachelor couple. 72-year-old Gerry and 70-year-old Theresa Nist got married just a few weeks after going public with their relationship and announced their divorce after only three months of marriage.

Joan and Chock are much smarter about their relationship. They've been taking their time and getting things right. The fact that they've been so thoughtful about their relationship is another instance of Joan and Chock setting a good example.

Sources: Joan Vassos/Instagram, Joan Vassos/Instagram