Robby Hayes has a complicated past with his ex-girlfriend, Hope Higginbotham, and The Bachelorette star JoJo Fletcher admits it was a lot to wrap her head around.
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"Last week, [Robby] was the only one to receive a rose before the Rose Ceremony because I knew without a doubt that I was ready for this next step. And after everything I'd heard about his family, I couldn't wait to meet them," Fletcher wrote in her People blog.
"When it came to Robby, I always felt so secure with him, but the one thing I felt I needed to clarify was his ex. We had talked about it the week prior, but I felt like it was the only thing I wanted to make sure wasn't an issue."
Fletcher admitted, "I myself have been in his shoes before, so I wasn't judging him or questioning the truth -- I really just wanted to make sure he was ready, because I could really see a future with him."
Fletcher said stepping into the Hayes household was like a flashback of walking into her own Dallas, TX, home last season on The Bachelor.
"The energy and love that came from them was almost overflowing. I instantly felt like I was already a part of their family and like I had known them for years," Fletcher explained.
Fletcher said everything about Hayes' family provided her with some clarity, which is why she chose to tell Hayes' mother she was falling in love with her son.
"I made the choice to not share my feelings with any guys before the very end of my journey because I didn't want to put anyone through what I went through with [Ben Higgins]. But sitting down with his mom in that moment, I couldn't hold back," Fletcher said.
"I just felt like, why not? Robby was the first to tell me he loved me, and I was excited to share the love I was starting to feel for Robby too. The look on his mom's face after I told her I was falling in love shed all of my fears -- that is, until Robby's ex came back into the conversation."
Hayes' mother warned the suitor there was "chatter" online about how he allegedly dumped his ex of nearly four years to appear on The Bachelorette and had a motive other than to find love. Hayes, completely distressed over what he claimed to be bold lies, did everything in his power to convince Fletcher his intentions were pure and his relationship with Higginbotham ended naturally.
Fletcher still feared, however, Hayes was jumping from one relationship to the next in order to fill a void.
"I would be a hypocrite if I said it wasn't possible to fall in love with someone shortly after a breakup, especially if this person is going to be your forever future. My apprehension went from, 'Is he ready?' to 'What are his real intentions?' I remember this moment so well -- my heart beating a million miles an hour and became paralyzed with fear and confusion," Fletcher admitted.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW"I believe in Robby, and I believe he had an honest soul -- but I've been blind to things before in my past relationships because of love. I couldn't help but wonder if it was happening to me again."
But Fletcher learned over time not to believe rumors on social media or tabloid reports.
"Watching this back I still stand by my reaction, but also my faith in Robby. I decided to continue to trust and believe in our connection, and all I could do was pray I made the right choice," the Bachelorette noted.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
