The bells are still ringing. Last week, Ben Higgins called off his wedding to Lauren Bushnell in a tear-filled episode of Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After? In the Tuesday, November 22, episode, though, the former Bachelor not only came around but professed his love in the most passionate way yet. How is Lauren not getting whiplash?
Although the episode was filled with lighthearted moments, including the introduction of Ben’s “Higgy dance” and the return of the Ferguson twins (“We’ve been called home-wreckers before, so it’s not even a big deal”), it ended up having some significant revelations for the couple.
The Couple That Works Together …
For their one-year anniversary, Ben and Lauren decided to give each other the gift of giving back. They helped renovate a house owned by a woman named Ranya, who works around the clock for a veterans charity she started. Little did they know, working together would bring out the best of them as a couple. “It has been so fun. … This is what a relationship’s all about. Working together to get things done,” said Ben.
He realized that finding someone with the same values he has was actually super important to him all along. Ben said he always wanted someone he could team with to help others so they’d “be strong enough as partners and individuals.” Turns out, teamwork made their dream work.
“Lauren’s the brains of the operation. But I’m LeBron. We work as a team,” said Ben. After he emotionally thanked Lauren for his anniversary gift, she reciprocated. “That really is the best anniversary gift that Ben could’ve given me,” she said. Tear.
Ben’s Secret Anniversary Plan
As selfless as their anniversary was, it turned out Ben had a little something up his sleeve the whole time. He surprised Lauren with a candlelit dinner with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries in the backyard, decorated with strung lights and a giant, lit-up B and L.
“This is by far the most special thing he has ever done for me,” Lauren said. She reaffirmed that it was the most romantic act he’d done for her, even considering his extravagant gestures on The Bachelor. “You took our day and our time to do something for somebody else. I wanted to do something for you,” Ben told her.
A Dangerous Game
During their candlelit evening, the tears really starting brewing. Lauren brought up a game of “High and Low of the Year,” prompting both of them to think about their past and future. While Ben said proposing was his high point, he also claimed falling in love was his low point. Huh?
“My low would be knowing for certain we were right for each other, having the blissful idea of what life would be like. … It’s also been hard,” he said. “I had this idea that life would just be easy-breezy, and it’s not.” In that moment, he realized how much he’d jerked Lauren around.
“I don’t want you sad, I don’t want you confused. I just want to see you rock this life,” he said.
A tearful Lauren warmly welcomed his remarks. “This year has been the best year of my life,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without you. I can’t live without you.”
And then it came: the moment Ben addressed calling off the wedding. “You’re the love of my life — you always will be,” he claimed. “I made a big mistake by pushing off the wedding. I don’t want to lose this girl.” Wow. Talk about a dramatic turn of events.
Tell Us: Will Ben stay true to his word? Or will he have another freak-out?
Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After? airs on Freeform Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
