The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe eliminated Ben Higgins during the eleventh season's tenth episode Monday night on ABC.

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"I'll miss that girl. I'll miss her a lot. I really was not expecting to be going home. It's not easy. It's not really easy to think that next week I won't see her. I have zero doubt that Kaitlyn and I could've had something great. There was not a question in my mind that I was falling in love with her, but it's over now. I was definitely changed by Kaitlyn," Ben said following his ouster.

"At the end of the day, I was able to open up and have feelings for somebody again. And that's something that I can't take for granted. I really believe that I'm in love. That's the only thing getting me through this right now. I hope it's all worth it."

After already embarking on her fantasy-suite date with Nick Viall, Kaitlyn had her two remaining overnight dates with Shawn Booth and Ben Higgins this week in Ireland.

Ben was first. Kaitlyn thought Ben was "charming" and she knew he wasn't "a player." For the day portion of their date, the couple went horseback riding through the countryside. Kaitlyn saw Ben as "a calming presence" who constantly made her laugh. She believed he'd always work to keep the passion alive in their relationship, and she was convinced her heart would be safe with him.

While Nick and Shawn were constantly going at it and throwing each other under the bus when on dates with Kaitlyn, Ben was completely focused on and attentive to Kaitlyn. It made the Bachelorette fall harder for Ben and actually feel less for the other two guys. Ben just put Kaitlyn in a good, happy mood, and things were "easy and fun" with him.

Ben assured Kaitlyn he wasn't just falling for her because of the process and environment. He was falling in love with her the person, and the whole day felt like a fairy tale to Kaitlyn. She was constantly reminded how great it was to be with Ben. She loved kissing him and talking to him, and she wasn't bothered by the fact he's only 26-years-old. Ben, in turn, thought Kaitlyn was unique, funny and exciting.

Ben told the cameras he was in love with Kaitlyn because it wasn't hard to fall for her. He hated knowing other guys were still involved, but he felt confident in what they had, so he chose not to talk about it.

"I do feel like I'm falling in love with Ben," Kaitlyn said in a confessional, adding that her feelings continued to grow stronger for him and she could definitely see him as her husband. Ben wasn't scared or nervous to tell her that he'd love spending the rest of his life with her and would be so lucky to.

That night, the pair stayed in a castle in Ireland. Ben was more than pleased to accept the key to the fantasy suite. Kaitlyn told the cameras the following morning that they slept for about a half-hour and she didn't want to say goodbye to him because they had so much fun together. Kaitlyn became more confused than ever, as she had "three unbelievable guys." She almost wished the date with Ben flopped to make her next decision easier.

"I didn't expect to fall in love with him," Kaitlyn noted in a confessional.

Kaitlyn then went on her date with Shawn and the couple went golfing. They made a bet that, win or lose, Kaitlyn would get whatever she asked for.

Shawn played along and was impressed with Kaitlyn's swing. He couldn't help but think her athleticism made her even more wife material. Kaitlyn then suggested they play "Truth or Dare." Shawn asked for a dare, and Kaitlyn asked him to streak completely nude on the golf course. She ended up stealing his clothes and he chased her around. Kaitlyn thought it was hilarious.

Kaitlyn acknowledged she had the most ups and downs with Shawn, but at the same time, they started so high there was only room to falter. Shawn loved having fun with Kaitlyn, thinking they were in an awesome spot. But Kaitlyn felt the need to ask him more about Nick since the two guys hated each other so much. When asked what he didn't like about Nick, Shawn explained he didn't believe Nick's reasons for coming on the show and he didn't think he was truly there for Kaitlyn.

Shawn revealed to Kaitlyn how he had confronted Nick about his opinions and he was such "a smooth talker." Shawn also said Nick came back all defensive, making more allegations against him that just made him look worse.

Kaitlyn broached the "Eskimo brothers" comment Shawn had made about having sex with the same country singer his friend had. Shawn didn't deny, confirm or even acknowledge Kaitlyn's question. Instead, he got more pissed at Nick and called him "manipulative and delusional." Shawn insisted Nick was acting like "a 16-year-old girl" and he'd sleep well if she selected Nick at the end of the process because it would prove they're not meant for each other.

Kaitlyn didn't like how things were unfolding on her date, so she wanted to talk more about the topic when they were off-camera and behind closed doors. She knew that waking up in the morning, she'd have a lot more information about whether Shawn would make a good husband.

Once Shawn left his date from Kaitlyn, Nick was waiting outside, wanting to talk again. Nick didn't really get a word in, so he wanted to explain his side to Shawn, but Shawn wasn't having it. Shawn just slammed Nick for being a terrible person and said he was the last person he'd want to talk to. Shawn also threatened Nick, saying if he told Kaitlyn anything else negative, the result "wouldn't be pretty."

Nick told the cameras Shawn wanted to be a man yet he wasn't man enough to have a real conversation. Nick didn't respect him anymore, pointing out that Shawn had shown his true colors. Nick hoped Kaitlyn was smart enough to see through Shawn and his good-guy routine.

Kaitlyn later had a sit-down conversation with Chris Harrison. Kaitlyn was concerned how jealous Shawn might be outside of the process since he had such a problem on the show. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn beamed when she spoke of Nick and said he was a good amount of every quality she was looking for -- such as how deep and passionate he is. Meanwhile, she recognized Ben was good looking, positive and always lifted her spirits. Her decision at the next Rose Ceremony was going to be painful and heart-wrenching.

The two men to advance from the Rose Ceremony would earn hometown dates.

"I am in love and that's so exciting," Kaitlyn told her three guys, adding that it meant she's one step closer to being with the man of her dreams and future husband.

Before handing out her first rose, Kaitlyn started bawling and had to leave the room. Once she got it together and returned, Kaitlyn offered a rose to Nick and then Shawn. Kaitlyn walked Ben out and tried not to cry. She told Ben that he's going to find the best girl in the world and she's frustrated it's not her. Ben explained he really thought things would've worked out between them but he'd have to deal with the fact he couldn't have her. She was "crushed."

The next day, Kaitlyn went home with Nick to meet his family. Nick didn't have any reservations about Kaitlyn, and he told her that he was totally in love with her -- more than he can express in words. Nick told Kaitlyn he had to "take a leap of faith" with Andi Dorfman on her season of The Bachelorette, but this time around, he didn't feel he had to because he was convinced they'd be incredible together. Kaitlyn felt totally reassured.

Meanwhile, Nick's mother was crying at home because she didn't want to see her son go through another terrible heartbreak after Andi. It was clear his family was stressing out and upset that Nick put himself through this all over again. They were really worried about him getting blindsided. Nick's sister mentioned how Nick was taking the same risk but expecting a different outcome.

Kaitlyn meshed with Nick's family well. They appeared to be a goofy, happy couple together, and Nick's family realized that if things really did work out with Kaitlyn, it would be the best decision he's ever made. Kaitlyn also captured the heart of Nick's little sister Bella, who noted she could see Kaitlyn as her sister-in-law. The family asked Kaitlyn a lot of questions about how strongly she felt for Nick, and she passed with flying colors.

Nick's mom said in a confessional that Nick had to see something special in Kaitlyn to go on The Bachelorette again. Kaitlyn assured Nick's mother she wouldn't drag her son along unless she could truly envision a future with him. Nick's mom saw different things in Kaitlyn that she didn't see in Andi, so it made her feel hopeful. For example, she loved the way Kaitlyn looked at her son. Nick told his mom he was 99% sure Kaitlyn loved him.

Nick gushed to his mother about how honest and open their relationship was. Kaitlyn brought out his playful side and Nick felt present and in-the-moment with her. At the end of the night, Nick promised Kaitlyn he loved her with his whole heart. 

"I feel in love with Nick. I feel in love with his family. It's great. I don't question a life with Nick. This is a guy I'd want to spend the rest of my life with," Kaitlyn noted afterwards.

The following day, Shawn took Kaitlyn to Park City, UT. She wondered if Shawn was really ready for the next step of marriage. What she didn't know is Shawn was planning to tell Kaitlyn he loved her -- as long as she got along well with his family, which was extremely important to him.

Shawn's older sister told Kaitlyn he has a heart of gold and questioned whether they were just infatuated with one another. Kaitlyn said absolutely not because she found him to be a genuine, family man with characteristics she couldn't believe were real and accurate.

Kaitlyn couldn't wrap her head around how wonderful of a man Shawn was. The sister liked how spunky and down-to-earth Kaitlyn was, and the family got excited about the prospect of Kaitlyn joining their family. Shawn had his family backing his decision, because even his father could tell his son was "in deep." Shawn told his dad he felt like a changed man, that the process made him a better person because he was finally able to open up emotionally.

Shawn explained he had never felt so strongly for another girl before, and he quickly received his father's blessing and good wishes. Shawn was advised to simply follow his heart. That night, Shawn expressed what was in his heart to the Bachelorette.

"When we were back in Texas, I told you I was falling in love with you. And that's not the truth. I AM in love with you and I have been for a while... It just feels right being with you and everything is absolutely amazing and I love you," Shawn told Kaitlyn.

Upon hearing those words, Kaitlyn was extremely overwhelmed yet confessed it felt amazing to have two great men love her. She was falling for -- if not in love -- with both men. Her emotions were intense and they were tied to two people. The episode concluded with Kaitlyn crying about how she'd have to devastate one suitor and his family. She began feeling horrible and utterly confused because she didn't want to say goodbye to either guy.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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