The Golden Bachelorette: I'm Convinced Joan Vassos Won't Move In With Chock Chapple (Will Their Relationship Survive Being Long Distance?)

Joan, who recently turned 62, was a private school administrator in Maryland when she decided to appear as a contestant on The Golden Bachelor season 1. When things didn't work out between her and Gerry Turner, she was cast as The Bachelor spin-off's first female lead. Joan kicked off The Golden Bachelorette season 1 by greeting 24 single Golden men. Among them was 60-year-old Chock Chapple, an insurance executive from Kansas. He went on to win her final rose, but I'm worried that the physical distance between Maryland and Kansas threatens to derail their love.

Joan & Chock's Long-Distance Relationship Explained

Over A Thousand Miles Between Them

Joan lived in Maryland long before appearing in the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1. She was married to John Vassos for 32 years, and they had four children together before he passed away in 2021 of cancer. Joan lives near several of her children, as well as her grandchildren, so I can completely understand why she doesn't want to move away. I worry the back-and-forth nature of their relationship will take its toll on them one day.

Why Joan Won't Move In With Chock

They're Enjoying The Status Quo

Parade recently asked Joan about her and Chock's unique living arrangement. "Everybody looks at this like .... 'There's no way this can work because you're not together every minute,'" said Joan, adding, "We don't feel the same way about it." Joan explained she and Chock have very full lives and don't need to spend every waking moment together. I think it's great Joan and Chock can think about their relationship in a way that's outside the box. Overall, I hope it continues to work for The Golden Bachelorette duo.

"We're not living with each other, but we're kind of living our best lives."

Can A Long-Distance Marriage Work?

Gerry & Theresa Were Long-Distance Too

Since getting engaged on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan and Chock have been thriving despite not living together. I was thrilled that they found each other, especially after the failure of Gerry and Theresa Nist's marriage on The Golden Bachelor season 1. I am, however, worried about the couple. Being in a long-distance relationship is one thing. Over time, Joan and Chock may come to find that a long-distance marriage is much more difficult. After all, Gerry and Theresa tried a long-distance marriage too.