WEBVTT - Michael A. Is a Zaddy 0:00:02.080 --> 0:00:05.920 Welcome back, happy our listeners. I'm Becca Kuprin and I'm 0:00:05.920 --> 0:00:09.240 Michelle Young, and we are back with you again this 0:00:09.320 --> 0:00:12.799 week to talk about everything that went down in two 0:00:12.960 --> 0:00:16.960 episodes of this week in Bachelor of Paradise. Yes, we 0:00:17.160 --> 0:00:20.360 do have a lot to cover this week. I'm very 0:00:20.360 --> 0:00:23.080 happy to be back with you, Becca as always, because 0:00:23.120 --> 0:00:26.040 this week we're talking to a Bachelor Nation gem and 0:00:26.400 --> 0:00:32.159 self proclaimed old guy on the beach, Michael Ay. I 0:00:32.240 --> 0:00:34.519 love that he proclaims himself that because I feel like 0:00:34.560 --> 0:00:37.720 that was me last year on Paradise. But yeah, I'm 0:00:37.760 --> 0:00:40.640 so excited to have Michael on. We talked with him 0:00:40.880 --> 0:00:44.560 during Katie's season, which was man a year and a 0:00:44.640 --> 0:00:48.440 half ago now, but I want to get the scoop 0:00:48.479 --> 0:00:51.040 on his relationship with Sierra so far. We saw that 0:00:51.120 --> 0:00:53.479 pop off this week, and from the looks of it, 0:00:53.479 --> 0:00:56.160 it seems like they're right now one of the strongest 0:00:56.160 --> 0:00:59.320 couples on the island. So wait, it's not even an island, 0:00:59.320 --> 0:01:03.600 it's Mexico out man on the butt on the beach. 0:01:03.960 --> 0:01:07.520 But we'll have him on very shortly. But before that, Michelle, 0:01:07.560 --> 0:01:11.520 you have been traveling around. You are currently in Minnesota 0:01:11.600 --> 0:01:14.880 right now. You were at iHeart last week, which looks 0:01:15.000 --> 0:01:17.600 so fun, like just catch us up on all of 0:01:17.600 --> 0:01:21.759 your travel and adventures. So much fun. Yeah. Um, I 0:01:21.800 --> 0:01:23.920 was able to so like I feel like I was 0:01:24.080 --> 0:01:26.560 kind of finally getting settled in LA and then of 0:01:26.560 --> 0:01:30.360 course had to take off and I went to iHeart. 0:01:30.440 --> 0:01:34.760 It was in Vegas. We're so busy, but it was 0:01:34.840 --> 0:01:38.119 just it was so much fun to see so many 0:01:38.240 --> 0:01:41.040 artists perform, and I feel like it was kind of 0:01:41.080 --> 0:01:43.000 like a trip down memory lane, Like it was super 0:01:43.040 --> 0:01:45.800 nostalgic because I had to listen to like Avril Levine, 0:01:45.800 --> 0:01:49.520 Like do you remember an I was just listening to 0:01:49.560 --> 0:01:53.320 skater Boy in the car last night, Yes, exactly, so 0:01:53.560 --> 0:01:57.280 do I remember? Fulfills a certain part of your just 0:01:57.520 --> 0:02:00.360 I don't know, childhood growing up. And then I was 0:02:00.400 --> 0:02:03.360 able to do a little bit of hosting, which was 0:02:03.400 --> 0:02:06.200 super awesome. And the best part is that while we 0:02:06.200 --> 0:02:09.400 were filming, we were filming at the like the T 0:02:09.600 --> 0:02:14.320 Mobile Arena, and it was when all the bands were 0:02:14.360 --> 0:02:18.400 doing their like covers, like perform, warming up and all 0:02:18.400 --> 0:02:22.320 those things like playing through their sets. Yeah, and Sam 0:02:22.360 --> 0:02:26.480 Smith played his entire set and he played his new 0:02:26.520 --> 0:02:29.519 song Unholy and so I literally got to sit there 0:02:29.520 --> 0:02:31.680 and listen to it like it had gotten released the 0:02:31.800 --> 0:02:34.240 day before, and it was like the first time he's 0:02:34.280 --> 0:02:35.960 gonna be performing it live and I got to hear 0:02:36.000 --> 0:02:39.840 it before like anyone else. It was so cool. That's 0:02:39.919 --> 0:02:42.400 also so so cool. So yeah, there's a lot of 0:02:42.520 --> 0:02:44.760 fun things, you know, a lot of tiktoks, a lot 0:02:44.760 --> 0:02:49.440 of Bachelor Nation alum that were there, and so it 0:02:49.520 --> 0:02:52.040 was good. And then headed back to Minnesota for a 0:02:52.120 --> 0:02:55.080 little bit, pop back to LA for some events, and 0:02:55.120 --> 0:02:57.760 now back in Minnesota. So I'm tired. Oh I can 0:02:57.840 --> 0:03:01.320 imagine I'm tired just here about all of these travels. 0:03:01.360 --> 0:03:02.919 I want to ask you really quick though, because I 0:03:02.960 --> 0:03:05.919 saw you mentioned the tiktoks, you mentioned the bachel Nation 0:03:06.000 --> 0:03:11.120 alumni that we're all at my heart. I loved the 0:03:11.120 --> 0:03:13.320 ones with you and Rachel. I loved watching your stories. 0:03:13.720 --> 0:03:17.040 How is she doing after everything? I know, I'm sure 0:03:17.080 --> 0:03:19.080 like she's still in the midst of all of this 0:03:19.120 --> 0:03:21.519 and it's still is probably very crazy. But now she's 0:03:21.919 --> 0:03:24.200 a bit removed and can focus on the future. So 0:03:24.280 --> 0:03:28.040 did she have fun? Was she doing well? I would say, 0:03:28.120 --> 0:03:32.200 I mean she's she's doing about as good as somebody 0:03:32.200 --> 0:03:35.120 could like in that position. I mean, do you remember 0:03:35.280 --> 0:03:40.240 when you're going through this entire Bachelor experience and it's 0:03:40.280 --> 0:03:43.080 like a year long experience or like a two year 0:03:43.120 --> 0:03:46.040 long experience before you slow down, because you typically go 0:03:46.120 --> 0:03:48.560 on as a contestant and then you move into becoming 0:03:48.600 --> 0:03:50.640 a lead and you're going through like the pre press 0:03:50.680 --> 0:03:53.360 and then your season and filming and then you're airing 0:03:53.400 --> 0:03:56.480 and then posts and all this different stuff, and you know, 0:03:56.600 --> 0:04:00.520 like that moment where everything happens and then everything finally 0:04:00.600 --> 0:04:03.120 is done and you you it all catches up to you, 0:04:03.200 --> 0:04:06.360 like you're just emotionally exhausted, even on like even if 0:04:06.400 --> 0:04:09.440 you end up with the best case scenario, you're exhausted. 0:04:09.480 --> 0:04:13.680 And so she had literally gone from Afar and you know, 0:04:13.840 --> 0:04:17.600 going through that entire like announcing how everything went down 0:04:17.640 --> 0:04:19.680 with Tino, and then she hopped on a plane with 0:04:19.760 --> 0:04:21.840 Gabby to go to New York to do her press week, 0:04:22.160 --> 0:04:24.840 and then from there she went to Vegas and so 0:04:25.400 --> 0:04:28.159 it was nice to see her and spend so much 0:04:28.160 --> 0:04:30.680 time with her, and then you know, I took a 0:04:30.680 --> 0:04:32.520 picture because she was there's this point of the night 0:04:32.520 --> 0:04:34.880 where she was just knocked out on the bus as 0:04:34.880 --> 0:04:37.320 we're heading to the concert with like a red bull 0:04:37.320 --> 0:04:40.240 in her hand, and she's just like exhausted, and your 0:04:40.279 --> 0:04:43.480 heart just as like, oh because you remember that, and 0:04:43.560 --> 0:04:45.560 you know she's going through a breakup on top of 0:04:45.600 --> 0:04:49.640 all of that, right, So she's doing she's she's doing well. 0:04:49.760 --> 0:04:53.280 She's holding her ground and everything. I think she's just 0:04:53.320 --> 0:04:56.120 trying to kind of get her footing back. And you know, 0:04:56.160 --> 0:04:57.880 I know she was home in Florida for a little 0:04:57.920 --> 0:05:00.320 bit to spend time with her family and go to 0:05:00.320 --> 0:05:04.039 a wedding in Chicago recently, so she's she's starting to 0:05:04.040 --> 0:05:06.760 come back from it and re energize and things like that. 0:05:06.839 --> 0:05:10.320 It's just you're exhausted. Oh yeah, I can't. I mean, 0:05:10.360 --> 0:05:14.400 like I would never do this again just for that reason. 0:05:14.839 --> 0:05:18.039 Like it's just it's so draining, and it's such like 0:05:18.080 --> 0:05:22.800 a jarring situation to go from being on the franchise 0:05:22.839 --> 0:05:27.680 schedule to constant press, constant appearances, whatever it might be, 0:05:27.760 --> 0:05:30.440 than to like nothing kind of and not that I 0:05:30.520 --> 0:05:32.120 heard was Deathani, but it was like more of her 0:05:32.120 --> 0:05:36.560 free time. But that is still so exhausting in itself that, um, 0:05:37.440 --> 0:05:39.840 We're going to plan a girls' night in La very soon. 0:05:39.960 --> 0:05:44.280 We got to get around to sleep for a week 0:05:44.400 --> 0:05:47.320 straight and then call me when you wake up. Yeah, yeah, 0:05:47.400 --> 0:05:50.440 we got you, So be a little firm. Yeah, it's 0:05:50.480 --> 0:05:55.040 been busy, busy, busy. But enough about me, And of 0:05:55.080 --> 0:05:57.520 course I always checking with Rachel. But how have you been, 0:05:57.600 --> 0:06:01.080 What have you been up to? Are you how's everything 0:06:01.120 --> 0:06:03.240 going in San Diego. I know that you've been at 0:06:03.279 --> 0:06:06.480 a wedding recently, like a best friend's wedding. Yeah, We've 0:06:06.480 --> 0:06:09.000 been all over the place these past two weeks. We've 0:06:09.000 --> 0:06:13.360 been traveling. We had two weddings up. One was up 0:06:13.360 --> 0:06:15.640 in Santa Barbara. Then we went back to Minnesota. We 0:06:15.680 --> 0:06:18.440 went to my friend's reception, and then I was able 0:06:18.520 --> 0:06:22.520 to spend some time in Minnesota and Wisconsin with my family, 0:06:22.560 --> 0:06:25.720 which was so nice, so needed. My sister, she has 0:06:25.720 --> 0:06:28.359 a three year old, her daughter just turned three and 0:06:28.480 --> 0:06:31.839 she is wild. But then she just had a baby. 0:06:31.839 --> 0:06:34.680 I might have mentioned this. Her baby's like two weeks old. 0:06:34.720 --> 0:06:37.680 So we went back and just spent time with the 0:06:37.760 --> 0:06:41.400 kiddos and just I swear I held him for like 0:06:42.560 --> 0:06:44.200 three fourths of the time. I just didn't even want 0:06:44.200 --> 0:06:45.880 to put him down because I was like, I'm only 0:06:45.920 --> 0:06:47.400 here for four days. I want to soak in all 0:06:47.400 --> 0:06:49.680 this baby time. But it was so good to be 0:06:49.720 --> 0:06:52.360 back with the family. And I mean, you know, because 0:06:52.360 --> 0:06:55.560 you're in Minnesota right now, like, there's nothing like the 0:06:55.600 --> 0:06:58.679 Midwest in the fall when it kind of gets cold 0:06:58.800 --> 0:07:01.799 and crisp and a leave start to change. It's just beautiful. 0:07:01.880 --> 0:07:03.480 So we did all of the full things. We went 0:07:03.520 --> 0:07:07.480 apple picking, took walks outside, we collected leaves. It was 0:07:07.520 --> 0:07:09.680 just it was such a blast. So it was really 0:07:09.680 --> 0:07:11.680 good to reset. And then we came back to San 0:07:11.680 --> 0:07:15.800 Diego and back to work working on some projects, planning 0:07:15.840 --> 0:07:20.000 more events for bordone. So yeah, it's been good. I 0:07:20.080 --> 0:07:22.400 do have to say, because we were talking about iHeart 0:07:22.440 --> 0:07:25.400 and music and all the cool concerts. There was a 0:07:25.440 --> 0:07:27.880 festival in San Diego this pat well not San Diego, 0:07:28.120 --> 0:07:31.600 in Orange County this past weekend, and I was able 0:07:31.640 --> 0:07:34.000 to see Stevie Nicks once again. And she is my 0:07:34.040 --> 0:07:40.720 absoon favorite and I saw her in twenty seventeen, literally 0:07:41.120 --> 0:07:44.160 right before I left to go on The Bachelor, and 0:07:44.240 --> 0:07:46.440 so to be able to see her again and now 0:07:46.480 --> 0:07:49.080 bring Thomas there, it was so special. I felt like 0:07:49.240 --> 0:07:51.840 so nostalgic watching her and hearing all the songs and 0:07:51.920 --> 0:07:56.200 just remembering the first TIMSR. But it was incredible. I 0:07:56.240 --> 0:07:59.080 am such a huge fan of her, and she is 0:07:59.200 --> 0:08:05.440 seventy four or still sounds incredible. She can. I'm like, 0:08:05.600 --> 0:08:07.520 the energy that it takes to be on stage and 0:08:07.600 --> 0:08:10.320 perform is one thing, but like she does it in 0:08:10.320 --> 0:08:15.880 these massive high platform heels, with these like beautiful dresses 0:08:15.920 --> 0:08:18.400 and kimonos and just still has all of the energy 0:08:18.520 --> 0:08:21.440 and everything. I was like, she is crushing it, Like 0:08:21.840 --> 0:08:25.880 she is incredible, absolutely breathtaking and studying. So it was 0:08:25.960 --> 0:08:28.800 so much fun. But yeah, life has been good. We're 0:08:28.800 --> 0:08:32.280 still obviously working on the house. Watching Paradise. You know 0:08:32.559 --> 0:08:36.080 Thomas Thomas, he won't watch the regular season, but he'll 0:08:36.080 --> 0:08:39.360 watch Paradise just for the memories. So for all the memories. 0:08:39.360 --> 0:08:41.240 That's so funny. I can ficture him saying that. I 0:08:41.280 --> 0:08:42.839 think we talked a little bit about that last time. 0:08:42.960 --> 0:08:46.360 But wait, did Thomas get to hold the baby? He did? 0:08:47.240 --> 0:08:50.600 Was that was that super? Like? Okay, wait, yeah, tell 0:08:50.679 --> 0:08:53.160 us how he was, Like when did he look comfortable? 0:08:53.200 --> 0:08:55.880 Because Thomas seems like he'd be really good with kids. 0:08:56.520 --> 0:09:00.640 But I'm very curious of like how worn't. Oh, he's 0:09:00.679 --> 0:09:04.120 great with kids. He's he is so good, especially with 0:09:04.160 --> 0:09:06.120 my three year old because she's so full of energy, 0:09:06.160 --> 0:09:09.200 like they could just play and run around. It's funny 0:09:09.280 --> 0:09:11.680 seeing him with a newborn because he has we have 0:09:11.679 --> 0:09:17.040 a nephew who is he just turned to and like 0:09:17.200 --> 0:09:19.040 we went to his one year old birthday too, and 0:09:19.080 --> 0:09:20.800 like he'd hold him, but you know as a one 0:09:20.880 --> 0:09:23.400 year old, like he's a little bit bigger. Having him 0:09:23.400 --> 0:09:25.560 hold this newborn, he literally just like has to put 0:09:25.920 --> 0:09:28.680 My nephew's name is Locke. He just like cast up 0:09:28.679 --> 0:09:30.720 at lock in his hand and like that's all he needs. 0:09:31.160 --> 0:09:34.280 But he's because he's so big. I'm like, don't crush him, 0:09:34.360 --> 0:09:36.679 like he has a soft spot on his head. Be careful. 0:09:36.840 --> 0:09:39.600 But he was great with him, and he did not 0:09:39.679 --> 0:09:42.000 change any diapers, which I was really hoping he would 0:09:42.000 --> 0:09:44.040 do because he has not once in his life changed 0:09:44.080 --> 0:09:47.679 a diaper. He says that the first diaper he ever changes, 0:09:47.720 --> 0:09:50.120 it's going to be his own flesh and blood. And 0:09:50.120 --> 0:09:51.880 I'm like, wow, that makes me nervous because you're not 0:09:51.920 --> 0:09:54.839 going to know what the hell you're doing, right, But 0:09:54.880 --> 0:10:02.559 he was like that's kind of cute. Wait, you and smart. 0:10:02.360 --> 0:10:05.679 Dirty so many dirty, oh, so many. And I was like, 0:10:06.080 --> 0:10:07.840 what are you gonna do when we have a baby. 0:10:07.920 --> 0:10:10.520 He's like, well, I'll practice on a doll. I'm like, no, 0:10:10.559 --> 0:10:13.520 it is not the same when you have a doll 0:10:13.720 --> 0:10:18.320 versus like moving limbs and like pe on you like 0:10:18.360 --> 0:10:22.080 a little hose like. So he's he has a lot 0:10:22.120 --> 0:10:25.440 of practice. But I definitely think it made us both 0:10:25.520 --> 0:10:31.160 realize that we want to have kids sooner, good later. Okay, wait, 0:10:31.200 --> 0:10:35.880 but okay, I oh my god, I just got so excited. Okay, 0:10:35.920 --> 0:10:40.920 I called babysitting. Michelle is gonna be here all the time. 0:10:41.080 --> 0:10:43.880 We'll be right there. Um, okay, so are you gonna 0:10:43.920 --> 0:10:48.400 squash the rumors of um? Everybody is convinced that Ean 0:10:48.520 --> 0:10:54.080 Thomas got married already? Wait, who who thought we got married? 0:10:54.640 --> 0:10:56.600 It's all in my das. I think it might be 0:10:56.640 --> 0:11:00.440 on some somebody's screenshot. Yeah, it's because I think happened. 0:11:01.000 --> 0:11:04.040 I think what happened is it was Thomas or somebody 0:11:04.080 --> 0:11:07.600 posted a video, the video of you singing at the concert. 0:11:08.559 --> 0:11:12.480 Oh the wife comment, yeah, the wife comment. And so 0:11:12.600 --> 0:11:17.280 everybody convinced. Everybody's convinced that you eloped and didn't tell 0:11:17.360 --> 0:11:22.000 anybody and that you guys are just already married. No, 0:11:22.120 --> 0:11:25.640 we did not Elope. I will squash themers right now. 0:11:25.679 --> 0:11:28.880 We did not Elope. It's not a I mean, I'm 0:11:28.880 --> 0:11:31.320 not saying we wouldn't elope and not tell anyone for 0:11:31.360 --> 0:11:33.719 a while because we kept the engagement a secret for 0:11:33.760 --> 0:11:36.880 a long time. But no, we didn't. Um No, he 0:11:36.960 --> 0:11:38.800 always just calls me his wife, like I think the 0:11:38.920 --> 0:11:41.480 second we got engaged, and like we've lived together for 0:11:41.559 --> 0:11:45.000 a while now, like we know that wear each other's futures, 0:11:46.160 --> 0:11:48.720 he just calls me his wife. And so when I thought, 0:11:48.760 --> 0:11:50.360 I didn't even think about it because I'm like, you know, 0:11:50.360 --> 0:11:53.800 I hear it all the time from him. But yeah, no, um, 0:11:55.120 --> 0:11:58.920 we did not Elope. Okay, so you heard it here everybody, 0:11:59.160 --> 0:12:02.720 but comment are not married yet yet. But I'd love 0:12:02.760 --> 0:12:06.120 to say we might not do it one day, but no, 0:12:06.200 --> 0:12:08.720 we would definitely need like our families there with us. 0:12:08.760 --> 0:12:11.160 We wouldn't just a little and not have like my 0:12:11.200 --> 0:12:16.000 sister and our parents there. So I think why people 0:12:16.160 --> 0:12:20.200 also are like, yeah, they definitely are already married is 0:12:20.280 --> 0:12:23.800 because the whole proposal and like how you know what 0:12:23.800 --> 0:12:26.360 I mean, Like you guys kept that a very quiet 0:12:26.520 --> 0:12:30.400 secret we're good secret keepers. You really are like it 0:12:30.480 --> 0:12:33.600 was you guys are volts like nobody knew and so 0:12:33.640 --> 0:12:38.760 they're like definitely no, we um, yeah, we're I mean, 0:12:38.760 --> 0:12:41.160 I will say, there's something fun about like knowing something 0:12:41.200 --> 0:12:43.280 that just you and your partner, no and no one else. 0:12:43.400 --> 0:12:46.040 It's like it just makes it more special. But no, 0:12:46.480 --> 0:12:49.200 one day, very soon, well I don't even know if 0:12:49.200 --> 0:12:51.040 it's very soon, don't quote me on that, but one 0:12:51.160 --> 0:12:53.840 day it'll happen. But not quite yet. But he can 0:12:53.880 --> 0:12:55.480 still call me his wife. I think it's cute. I 0:12:55.480 --> 0:12:57.719 don't mind. I think it's cute too. He suck with 0:12:57.840 --> 0:13:03.320 me now, so you know. Yeah, But with that, we 0:13:03.920 --> 0:13:06.880 have to have the man of the hour on. Michael 0:13:07.000 --> 0:13:10.120 A who you know him from Katie's season. He's back 0:13:10.160 --> 0:13:14.160 on the beach. He just started this little relationship with Sierra, 0:13:14.280 --> 0:13:16.280 so I think it's just time to bring him on. 0:13:16.480 --> 0:13:20.600 And I know we have some questions for him because 0:13:20.600 --> 0:13:22.120 it's been a while since we've talked with him. So 0:13:22.160 --> 0:13:28.679 everybody please welcome Michael ad Aboucher Happy Hour. Hello Michael, 0:13:28.800 --> 0:13:31.000 how are you doing it? I'm doing good? How are 0:13:31.040 --> 0:13:34.679 you guys doing? We're great? It's been a minute though 0:13:34.840 --> 0:13:38.000 since we've seen you last Yes, a lot of time 0:13:38.040 --> 0:13:41.200 has passed, and you know, it feels like I just 0:13:41.320 --> 0:13:45.720 left Albuquerque. Sometimes I swear this whole world is ridiculous, 0:13:47.000 --> 0:13:50.560 you know, thinking that I got back from Albuquerque. I think, 0:13:51.000 --> 0:13:54.920 you know, it was you know, mid last year. It 0:13:54.960 --> 0:13:57.800 feels like a lifetime ago, and so it feels weird 0:13:57.840 --> 0:14:01.199 to be back on the beach and doing this thing 0:14:01.200 --> 0:14:04.680 all over again. Oh, Michael, now that I'm talking to you, 0:14:04.679 --> 0:14:06.520 it's all coming back to me because I had mentioned 0:14:06.520 --> 0:14:09.640 to Michelle we had you on Happy Hour during the 0:14:09.679 --> 0:14:11.800 midst of Katie's season, you know, one of those first 0:14:11.800 --> 0:14:15.040 couple of weeks. And actually when we had interviewed you 0:14:15.080 --> 0:14:18.119 at that point, I was on the beach in Paradise. 0:14:18.200 --> 0:14:20.160 I had to like take a little break a few 0:14:20.160 --> 0:14:23.440 hours off come back to the home accord with you. 0:14:24.040 --> 0:14:27.560 So I was literally like where you're at now watching 0:14:27.560 --> 0:14:30.400 the season like I was there doing that. And it's 0:14:30.440 --> 0:14:33.400 so crazy to like see you now because you've gone 0:14:33.440 --> 0:14:36.360 through this full experience once again. I cannot wait to 0:14:36.440 --> 0:14:40.000 just pick your brain on everything. But what have you 0:14:40.040 --> 0:14:43.720 been up to since leaving the beach? Without giving too 0:14:43.800 --> 0:14:45.800 much away, Like, I'm sure your life is crazy. You 0:14:45.880 --> 0:14:49.520 have your lovely son, Like, how has it been, you know, 0:14:49.600 --> 0:14:52.400 kind of getting back into this world and like what's 0:14:52.440 --> 0:14:55.560 life like? Yeah, I mean getting back into my normal life. 0:14:55.680 --> 0:14:59.600 It you know, it didn't take long whatsoever. I jumped 0:14:59.680 --> 0:15:02.160 right back I can. I mean, James isn't somebody that 0:15:02.200 --> 0:15:07.000 can wait around for me to find my footing. So 0:15:07.800 --> 0:15:10.440 it was it was really quick. And James actually just 0:15:10.520 --> 0:15:14.560 went to kindergarten. He had his first day, jeez, about 0:15:14.560 --> 0:15:19.080 a month ago. And I never thought it would be 0:15:19.120 --> 0:15:21.680 as emotional as it actually was. I used to make 0:15:21.720 --> 0:15:25.040 fun of parents all the time for, you know, getting 0:15:25.040 --> 0:15:28.240 all emotional about their kids going back to school. But 0:15:28.400 --> 0:15:31.640 there's something to be said about the kid kind of 0:15:31.680 --> 0:15:35.800 growing up, taking like those first steps. And he just 0:15:35.840 --> 0:15:38.560 felt like an adult that day. And I'm dropping him 0:15:38.560 --> 0:15:42.560 off at this like major large school and I'm like, 0:15:42.680 --> 0:15:45.240 just please take care of him. Oh my god. But 0:15:45.320 --> 0:15:48.200 he was he was crazy brave, and I don't I 0:15:48.240 --> 0:15:51.720 don't know. It's there's a lot of firsts that I'm 0:15:51.760 --> 0:15:58.720 experiencing as a parent, and you know, each phase is great. Um. 0:15:58.800 --> 0:16:00.760 I think people will always ask me, you know, what's 0:16:00.760 --> 0:16:04.040 your favorite phase? You know, what's your favorite time? It's 0:16:04.080 --> 0:16:06.680 always the next one. Um, it's just kind of cool 0:16:06.800 --> 0:16:09.960 to you know, grow beside him and see the world 0:16:09.960 --> 0:16:13.680 through his eyes. M Did you set any tears dropping 0:16:13.760 --> 0:16:18.040 him off? Absolutely? I was. I think I was like 0:16:18.160 --> 0:16:22.120 in a caravan of sad parents, just like with their 0:16:22.120 --> 0:16:24.600 head on their steering wheel, you know, wondering if their 0:16:24.640 --> 0:16:26.920 kid's ever going to come back. And yeah, it was. 0:16:27.040 --> 0:16:29.800 It was an emotional one. Um, I dried up, I 0:16:29.880 --> 0:16:32.000 toughened up a little bit, and you know, got back 0:16:32.000 --> 0:16:34.320 to work. It's got to be harder for the parents. 0:16:34.320 --> 0:16:36.800 So for the kids, I'm sure. I think I think 0:16:36.840 --> 0:16:40.800 it probably is, because you know, there's nothing we can do. 0:16:41.040 --> 0:16:43.040 We can't be there, we can't hold their hand the 0:16:43.200 --> 0:16:46.480 entire time. Sometimes you know, got to kick the bird 0:16:46.480 --> 0:16:48.880 out of the nest, as they say, and let them, 0:16:48.960 --> 0:16:52.720 you know, find their own own path in life. Speaking 0:16:52.720 --> 0:16:55.320 of phases, I feel I don't have kids of my own, 0:16:55.480 --> 0:16:59.440 but I always hear just dropping them off when they're 0:16:59.480 --> 0:17:03.040 in like pretty school, kindergarten, first second grade, and then 0:17:03.120 --> 0:17:07.160 you know, their backpack is larger than them, and like turtles, 0:17:08.560 --> 0:17:11.960 we're just so cute right with these big eyes. And 0:17:12.000 --> 0:17:15.439 then once they get to like fifth grade, sixth grade, 0:17:15.480 --> 0:17:17.200 like at the end of the summer, like you see 0:17:17.240 --> 0:17:19.760 those videos of the parents just like kicking them out 0:17:19.760 --> 0:17:23.160 the door like peace, like thank god, once they start 0:17:23.240 --> 0:17:28.840 to smell. I'm sorry. James definitely had that like turtle 0:17:28.880 --> 0:17:32.280 size backpack on because I just you know, they send 0:17:32.320 --> 0:17:35.239 you so many emails about what to pack, what to do, 0:17:35.359 --> 0:17:37.679 so I'm just stuffing that thing like you may need this, 0:17:38.040 --> 0:17:40.280 there may be an apocalypse. What are you gonna do? 0:17:40.320 --> 0:17:42.760 And I'm just stuffing this thing like he's some sort 0:17:42.760 --> 0:17:46.920 of end of day's horder here and k could barely 0:17:46.920 --> 0:17:49.320 even get it to class as a teacher, though we 0:17:49.359 --> 0:17:52.640 appreciate that. Okay, send all the supplies, all of it. 0:17:52.760 --> 0:17:55.800 Spent some wine too, and it may not be on 0:17:55.840 --> 0:17:59.760 the first day, but send some wine. Can you imagine 0:17:59.800 --> 0:18:01.520 like this, you can bring it out a bottle of 0:18:01.560 --> 0:18:06.200 wine like here, miss young Is, I've had that happened before. 0:18:06.240 --> 0:18:09.159 But like those are the best gifts because like teacher 0:18:09.200 --> 0:18:12.159 Appreciation Week and these different things, the parents who just 0:18:12.280 --> 0:18:15.280 get it and they'll send in like they'll send in 0:18:15.400 --> 0:18:17.480 wine and like you don't you know to not open 0:18:17.520 --> 0:18:19.720 the gift, like not that. Of course, you don't open 0:18:19.760 --> 0:18:23.160 the bottle of wine. Let me clarify you wine until 0:18:23.160 --> 0:18:26.520 you get home. Okayone coming after me. But the best 0:18:26.600 --> 0:18:29.080 gifts were like the ones were like it was a 0:18:29.080 --> 0:18:31.639 bottle of wine, and it was just like, here's a 0:18:31.640 --> 0:18:33.240 bottle of wine because I know my kid is the 0:18:33.240 --> 0:18:36.240 reason you're drinking after school, like they know. Okay, at 0:18:36.280 --> 0:18:39.400 least you know I know, and you know. It's it's 0:18:39.440 --> 0:18:44.080 such a bittersweet thing because summer is really tough, like 0:18:44.200 --> 0:18:47.399 as a single parent. I mean, he's he's here, and 0:18:47.440 --> 0:18:50.000 it's like I've got jobs, I've got work to do, 0:18:50.160 --> 0:18:52.720 I've got things in At the same time, I'm constantly 0:18:52.720 --> 0:18:57.200 trying to make sure that he's entertained and also like 0:18:57.280 --> 0:19:00.880 not becoming a couch potato like waste of base. So 0:19:00.920 --> 0:19:04.159 it's like doing all these like crafts and like cutouts 0:19:04.160 --> 0:19:05.879 and all of these things that was running. I was 0:19:05.960 --> 0:19:09.840 really running out. Ideas Dad of the Year goes to you, 0:19:10.960 --> 0:19:14.000 I will say, just trying hardly, hardly get out of 0:19:14.040 --> 0:19:16.480 the year. But I'm out here trying. That's all you 0:19:16.520 --> 0:19:18.680 need as long as you love your kid. Mere putting 0:19:18.800 --> 0:19:22.359 the effort. And I don't know James, but he seems 0:19:22.400 --> 0:19:24.919 like a wonderful child, and like I can see how 0:19:25.000 --> 0:19:27.439 much you love him just from talking to you, and 0:19:27.480 --> 0:19:29.880 you had mentioned him going to school was obviously very 0:19:29.920 --> 0:19:32.600 emotional for you. And I have to say one of 0:19:32.640 --> 0:19:34.840 the you did make me cry on the podcast last 0:19:34.880 --> 0:19:36.320 time we had you on, But one of the most 0:19:36.320 --> 0:19:39.640 emotional moments that we've seen on this show, at least 0:19:39.640 --> 0:19:42.840 for me personally, was your exit when you were leaving, 0:19:42.880 --> 0:19:46.359 and it was because you needed to be there for 0:19:46.440 --> 0:19:49.640 your son. So did you ever think, now flash forward 0:19:49.680 --> 0:19:54.040 to a year after that, that you would be back 0:19:54.119 --> 0:19:56.639 on the show on the Beaches of Paradise doing this 0:19:56.680 --> 0:20:01.239 once again. You know, I never thought i'd be a 0:20:01.240 --> 0:20:04.080 part of it again. I'm glad i am, because it's 0:20:04.080 --> 0:20:09.000 a really cool, unique experience. I mean, outside of trying 0:20:09.000 --> 0:20:10.919 to find the person you're supposed to be with, you 0:20:10.960 --> 0:20:13.560 also get to meet a lot of amazing people that 0:20:13.640 --> 0:20:16.840 you never would have crossed paths with. So it's like 0:20:16.840 --> 0:20:19.040 you're always trying to take the good and the bad. 0:20:19.119 --> 0:20:21.760 And you know, I think there's a lot of people 0:20:21.800 --> 0:20:26.080 who have questions about, you know, me going back on 0:20:26.119 --> 0:20:32.160 the show and doing this again, they don't really necessarily 0:20:32.280 --> 0:20:36.119 understand that, you know, two things can be true at 0:20:36.119 --> 0:20:39.120 the same time. I can miss James, I can want 0:20:39.119 --> 0:20:41.760 to be a great dad and also I want to 0:20:41.800 --> 0:20:44.680 I can be an individual, and I can pursue the 0:20:44.720 --> 0:20:48.159 things that I need to pursue in order to feel 0:20:48.200 --> 0:20:51.920 a sense of fulfillment. And both those two things are 0:20:51.960 --> 0:20:54.680 absolutely true. They don't have to be one or the other. 0:20:55.960 --> 0:20:59.560 James was certainly not an excuse for why I left 0:20:59.680 --> 0:21:04.080 Katie season. Katie knows that too. You know, this season 0:21:04.960 --> 0:21:07.920 of Paradise is a little bit different. A year later 0:21:07.960 --> 0:21:10.440 in a kid's life is a lot. We were able 0:21:10.480 --> 0:21:15.520 to talk significantly about what we wanted, what I was 0:21:15.560 --> 0:21:17.480 going to do, and I was going to be away 0:21:17.520 --> 0:21:21.000 and all of that. And also, you know, filming is 0:21:21.080 --> 0:21:24.680 a little bit less than before. And it was his 0:21:24.720 --> 0:21:27.840 summer and he went on a lot of vacations with 0:21:27.880 --> 0:21:31.720 his grandparents and his parents. His grandparents love having that 0:21:32.119 --> 0:21:34.920 one on one time to create those memories too, So 0:21:35.480 --> 0:21:38.240 it was kind of a perfect opportunity to you know, 0:21:38.359 --> 0:21:41.040 dive back in see if I can find my person 0:21:41.359 --> 0:21:45.280 and you know, not have to battle those what ifs 0:21:45.320 --> 0:21:47.680