ABCEveryone knows that true love only happens on television, so it's no surprise that last season's Bachelor contestants Lauren Bushnell and Ben Higgins are continuing their romance on a spinoff show.
After all, we didn't all expect them to get to know each other off camera did we? It's practically blasphemy. The new series, which will air on Freeform (that's ABC Family for those of you pretending not to watch Pretty Little Liars on the regular), promises to follow the happy couple as Ben explores a political career and Lauren explores getting herself an identity. We'll just let that synopsis speak for itself.
This is a groundbreaking move for The Bachelor, as while the franchise has created several spinoffs that contribute greatly to the well-being of society like Bachelor In Paradise and Bachelor Pad, this is the first time we'll get to see a newly-engaged couples grow their relationship in front of our very eyes. We'll be right there with Ben and Lauren as they tackle super important engaged-couple questions like "How many children will we have?" and "Who will be in charge of the finances?" and "What's your mom's name again?"
We won't fully know just what the as-yet-to-be-named spinoff will entail until it hits our televisions in October, we do know what to expect from Ben and Lauren as a couple, and that's pretty much everything we were lucky enough to bare witness to on their season of The Bachelor. In honor of this most monumental television programming occasion, we've decided to take a look back at their most memorable onscreen moments. May their chemistry live on forevermore.
Turtle-Gate.
Want to hear the most romantic date concept ever? You fly to Jamaica, check in at the local Sandals resort, and then spend a beautiful and fulfilling day releasing teeny, tiny baby sea turtles into the wild. Want to hear the least romantic date concept ever? You fly to Jamaica, check in at the local Sandals resort, and then spend a beautiful and fulfilling day releasing teeny, tiny baby sea turtles to their death. Yes, this whole thing turned downhill once they learned that the most likely fate of these four-legged friends was to, like, be eaten alive or drowned in the waves. Love is in the air?
Three's a Crowd.
Ben and Lauren are so very much in love that they only have eyes for each other. Literally. They actually don't notice anyone else in their presence, even when that person is sandwiched between them and also competing for Ben's love. Outta the way, Amanda.
Appeasing Their Adoring Onlookers.
Does this couple scream local parade Marshall or do they scream local parade Marshall? A large part of starring in your own show probably involves waving at crowds from a convertible. We've never starred in our show, but it seems logical. Ben and Lauren have clearly shown that they have the perfect mix of humility and beauty you need for such activities.
It's Pastor Time.
This has nothing to do with Ben and Rachel's romantic dynamic, but we just hope that Pastor Denny gets his due screen time in the spinoff. We've left him hanging with his Bible verses for far too long now. It's getting cruel.
Sponsored by Jacuzzi.
Thanks to The Bachelor, we know that Ben and Lauren look great drinking champagne while sitting in hot tubs that are ill-fitted to their surroundings. Whether this coveted advertising slot will be picked up by Jacuzzi or its rival Whirlpool is still up for debate, but gosh darnit if there won't be some sort of spa experience.
You Did Not Eat That.
In real life, an important relationship milestone involves feeding one another in a way that is cute and not at all grotesque. On television, an important relationship milestone involves stars of The Bachelor pretending to eat in an incredibly lifelike manner. Look at how she almost puts that grilled cheese in her mouth! Ben, you are such a gentleman.
Love Takes Flight.
You heard it here first: Lauren Bushnell looks uncannily good in an aviation helmet, and Ben Higgins makes uncannily witty plane puns. This is the stuff lasting marriages are based on.
The Run.
You can't film a spinoff of The Bachelor without a staged reunion, and what you witness above is the finest run and hug we've ever seen. It's clear that Ben picked Lauren because she is literally the only woman in America who can jog in this outfit and still look adorable. Cheers to you, you perfect couple.