The Golden Bachelor’s Mel Owens: If Peg Had Left, I Would Have Gone After Her

Glamour: Congratulations to you both! Mel, you weren’t kidding about the fireworks, literally and figuratively. You’re in love, too, but we didn’t hear those words until the After the Final Rose live taping. So when did you guys know you were in love, and when did you first say those words to each other?

Peg Munson: Well, I knew I was growing in love with him during this whole journey. So it was one day at a time, and it was just opening up my heart and my mind to allow that to happen naturally. It wasn’t just one day, like, “Boom! I’m in love with you.” It’s time. It takes time to get to know somebody, and it takes time to fall in love with somebody. It was a progression for me.

Mel, what about you? When did you first say, “I love you” to Peg?

Mel Owens: When I first met Peg, I had a crush on her. It was almost that instantaneous electricity and a connection, and then it grew over time. By time we were on the island in Antigua, and then we went to the little island, I realized, “I’m in love with her.” I just became infatuated with her, and I had a crush on her, and it’s still growing.

I have to say, while we love a grand gesture or a proposal, I think you guys probably did it the smartest way. You’re in an accelerated timeline, and you’ve only known each other for about five weeks, so don’t rush the feelings. You might’ve done it the smartest way of any couple on this show. Do you feel that?

Peg: We appreciate that. We really appreciate that.

Mel: It’s because I’m a Michigan guy!

Peg: He’s a smart guy. He’s a smart guy.