OAKLAND, Iowa — Audiences met 24 contestants on "The Golden Bachelorette" premiere on Wednesday night, and among them was one Iowan who made a glowing impression.
Jonathan Rone, a 61-year-old shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa, stepped out of the limo wearing a golden eye mask. Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos used her voice to guide him as he walked blindly over to her.
"I wanted to make our first moment as special as I possibly could," Rone said. "When you're ready, you can remove the mask so that our eyes can meet for the very first time."
The unique introduction made quite an impression on Vassos. As Rone walked away, Vassos said, "That was fun, and he is really handsome."
In a confessional interview, Rone told viewers he was blindsided when his wife told him she wanted a divorce. Now, he's a single father of two kids and shares custody with his ex-wife.
"[My kids] are the joy of my life, and there's been a lot of sacrifices but, family comes first," he said.
Later in the episode, Rone read Vassos a poem he wrote for her, inspired by a poem she shared on "The Golden Bachelor."
"As my heart is full of bliss, standing here in front of you, so now what do I do? Take your hand, be your man and hope you understand that I'm grateful and blessed to see you in that dress," Jonathan read.
Vassos was impressed by the gesture, immediately complimenting him on his talent.
"I could feel it between us," Vassos said in a confessional. "He really makes a really good first impression. Very sincere."
Will Vassos and Rone fall for each other? Will Rone receive the final rose? There's still a full season ahead to find out.
Watch "The Golden Bachelorette" Wednesdays at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.