OAKLAND, Iowa — It was another eventful episode of "The Golden Bachelorette" for Iowa's very own Jonathan Rone and Dan Roemer.
Rone, who hails from Oakland, Iowa, was one of two lucky men to receive a one-on-one date with Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos on episode three Wednesday night.
However, what should have been a moment of celebration for Rone ultimately stirred up feelings of anxiety and self-doubt.
"On a one-on-one with her, I'm going to be totally exposed," he said in a confessional. "So I'm nervous about the fact that there's a possibility that I wouldn't get the rose tonight. I think it's a defense mechanism from being hurt in the past and that fear may hold me back from sharing openly with Joan."
Rone and Vassos spent their date horseback riding through the rolling hills. It was Rone's first time riding a horse, a fact that surprised Vassos.
"You live in Iowa, I would think that maybe you would ride horses or something," Vassos quipped.
Despite his earlier anxiety, Rone quickly grew comfortable as they journeyed through the countryside.
"Riding on these horses, I'm looking over at Joan and I'm just admiring how beautiful she is," he said. "I am feeling so grateful that I got this one on one and not the group date. It's a beautiful moment, something I never could've imagined."
The pair eventually stopped next to a lake, where they sat on a bench and enjoyed champagne. Rone shared pieces of his Native American culture, and also opened up about his divorce.
"I've always had this feeling that I wasn't enough," he told Vassos.
In response, Vassos told Rone she appreciated his vulnerability, saying he was "one of the best" at opening up to her.
"I hope you never, ever, ever feel like you're not good enough again," she said.
At the end of the date, Vassos gave Rone a rose, ensuring he would remain another week.
"You have been so incredibly open and vulnerable, more than I could ever ask from somebody, and I've learned so much about you. The more we connect the more I wanna learn about you," Vassos said.
"With this rose, I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be," Rone said in a confessional.
Roemer, a Des Moines native who now lives in Florida, had a smaller role in Wednesday's episode. He went on the group date with several other contestants, during which the group split into two teams to play kickball.
Unfortunately, Roemer's team lost, meaning he would have to wait until the Rose Ceremony to learn his fate. Still, it wasn't a total loss.
"Everyone's banged up, beat up and sore. But it turns out Joan got us massages!" Roemer said in a confessional. "What a nice, thoughtful gift that was. Everybody's got things that need to be worked out."
During the Rose Ceremony, Roemer was awarded a rose. Aside from the two Iowans, nine contestants remain: Pascal, Gil, Guy, Gary, Jordan, Chock, Charles L., Keith and Mark.
What lies in store for these two Iowans? Watch "The Golden Bachelorette" Wednesdays at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
