He's not an Italian prince, heir to a big tire company's fortune or a mediocre football player like the men who came before him.
Still, Andy Baldwin proved to be a knight in shining armor on the season finale as he knelt down and offered up a 2-carat diamond to his lovely leading lady, Tessa Horst.
During a press tour to celebrate their love, Baldwin - a Naval doctor - and his bride-to-be spoke with Us Weekly about what they've learned since he dispatched Bevin Powers and chose Tessa on The Bachelor, as well as what's next on tap for the happy pair.
Us Weekly: Congratulations! You both must be so thrilled after having to keep your relationship a secret since the show wrapped in March. What do you have planned now that America knows that you are in love and engaged?
Andy Baldwin: We've been walking around New York and I've been screaming it at the top of my lungs! It's not a secret any longer! We finished the show two months ago and to have to watch it all over again and it's been really hard - especially on Tessa - to have all that drudged up.
Tessa Horst: It's a huge relief to have it over. It's been great moving forward with Andy since the show's been wrapping, but it was hard that everyone around us was watching it as if it was present. We're really excited to move forward from here.
Us Weekly: You no doubt learned quite a bit about each other during the course of the show, but what have you learned about each other since?
Andy Baldwin: We've learned a lot! [Laughs] We've seen each other four times and talked to each other over the phone [while the show was airing]. We've definitely commented how much better we know each other now than we did at the end of the show. The risk we took in getting engaged is getting better and better. There are some things Tessa has found out about me...
Tessa Horst: Andy snores! [Laughs] He wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning, as if that's a normal time to get up and start your day!
Andy Baldwin: Tessa's a good cook! [Pause] And she sweats a lot from her armpits! [Laughs]
Us Weekly: Andy, last time we spoke, you told me you were anxious to find a new workout buddy to jog and watch Hawaiian sunsets with. Have you been home to Hawaii yet?
Andy Baldwin: I was back at home in Hawaii the day we finished filming and back to work the next day in my uniform taking care of my guys. I've done a few media trips back and forth, but I'm really excited to welcome Tessa back. We're going home this Friday for Memorial Day weekend and plan to give her a big aloha welcome!
Us Weekly: Lastly, what will make your reality TV romance work when previous reality couples' romances fizzled?
Andy Baldwin: We've found true love. We're real people and that's what it comes down to. We're very optimistic and more in love now than ever. That's such a great feeling!
Tessa Horst: We were realistic going through the process and there were few surprises. I felt by the time the show wrapped that I knew who Andy was and he knew who I was. That wasn't going to change.
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39 Comments
May 24th, 2007 6:10 AM
great news congrats to you both i loved watching you both fall in love and now ready to be married . take care and again con grats to andy and tessa.
May 24th, 2007 12:56 PM
Congratulations Andy And Tessa. Tessa you were smart to be hesitant until you got to know Andy better. And Andy thanks for not picking the needy girls.
I hope you have a very happy life together.
Aloha! From Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
May 24th, 2007 2:55 PM
I am soooo glad that you picked Tessa. She was by far the most sophisticated what you see is what you get girl there. Congratulations to you both and I look forward to updates every now and then.
May 24th, 2007 4:27 PM
I was extremely uncomfortable with Andys interview with Devan after his engagement, He kept his hand on her saying he would always have her in his heart etc knee and hugs'etc. I thought when she was driven away in the limo, it was goodbye devan....
May 24th, 2007 6:53 PM
samantha... the girl's name was bevin.... not devan. but thats great that people are posting who haven't even watched the show more than a once. LOL
May 24th, 2007 8:17 PM
Andy, Thank you for your service to our Country. Your love and dedication is seen in your actions. You are truly a hero for the USA. Thank you!!!!
Andy and Tessa, I am so happy for you. I do believe and pray that you have a wonderful life together.
Tessa, Thank you for being true to yourself. You approached this journey with sincerity and honesty. I know that your family and friends are very proud of you. You love big; it just takes you a while to get there. You go girl...
Andy, I want to say that I picked Tessa the first night for you because of the muffin joke and the way you sought her out that evening. You love with your eyes. In every episode, your eyes were full of admiration and love for her. Andy, you are the best Bachelor of all. You are compassionate/respectful/ and gentle. Most men would have moved on from Tessa because she was not a forward person. You are a true knight and every ladies dream!! You showed respect to every woman. Thank you for showing us that chivalry is not dead....
Congratulations and best wishes....
May 25th, 2007 7:07 AM
To Tessa and Andy,
Just reviewing all your blogs on diff sites; and youtube videos over and over about your love; and i am so happy for you both may your love bloom each day to the rest of your life. and have lots of kids; my teen twin boys think i'm crazy playing your youtube that Valen made for you over and over. but i admire your commitment that you made and hope to see the wedding bells on the horizon before christmas.
Take care and Best for the future.
May 25th, 2007 9:18 AM
I was very happy to see that Andy chose Tessa. I feel that he did have a connction with Bevin however like his Grandfather asked "will it be hard to always have to live up to that kind of energy. " Relationships go thru many changes and if there is not more than physical attraction things can go sour very quickly. Not everything can be solved by passion, ie financial decions, how to raise children, household duties, etc. I think that Andy and Tessa's passion is strong just more private. There is nothing wrong with that.
May 25th, 2007 9:22 AM
Andy & Tessa,
What a gorgeous pair of LOVERS you are--are hearts all throb for the two of you!! Andy you CHOSE the right girl, never doubt it! You saw through all the plots, phoniness, giddiness, and chemistry and true love is none of those. Tessa is a class act and will be a wonderful military wife. Bevin was a lovely girl, but looked too worldly and liberal for you. Your grandfather and sister were very wise counsel for you. I was shocked how your grandma was so enamored of Bevin though on such a short visit. May your love & marriage bloom & prosper. Best wishes for a happy life (though there will be ups and downs--just weather them and ride out the storms; they WILL come) and may you have lovely, healthy children! Can we please be privy to her welcome to Hawaii Luau and the wedding PLEASE?!!!!
May 25th, 2007 10:36 AM
Andy and Tessa -
CONGRATULATIONS! This is the first year I've watched the Bachelor. I am old enough to be your mom, and then some. It seemed as if every woman on the show, by their actions, were screaming "pick me; pick me", but Tessa you stood out because by your actions, you were saying, "Will I pick Andy?", and I think you sensed that, Andy, and you saw enough in her to know that she is not needy, knows what she's about and does not compromise herself. You knew she was a keeper from the start (it doesn't hurt that she's beautful either!)I sense you both have strong character, which will get you through many issues throughout your lives together. Remember, falling in love happens, but staying in love is a decision, and your character will get you through the days you don't feel very much in love (happens to all couples), and the feelings of being in love will surely return. Your grandfather gave you very sage advice when he told you to look 5, 10, 15 years down the road. You've picked the winner, and she picked a winner when she decided it was safe to open her heart and take a chance. Remember, anything you don't have to work very hard for, is usually easier to lose. My best wishes to you both for many many years of happiness.