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'The Bachelorette' 2022: Fans believe Erich's mom would be good mother-in-law to Gabby who grew up without mom

'Bachelorette' nation hails Erich's mom as 'amazing' after a heartfelt hometown visit from Gabby

BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY: Twice as many Bachelorettes means twice as many hometown dates — so many that they couldn't all fit into a single episode. However, one of the hometown dates that did make it into the August 22 episode was Gabby visiting Erich's family, and fans fell in love with the Schwers.

The Bachelorettes begin the week by bidding farewell to the Valiant Lady and then returning to the United States by map. Gabby embarks on the next stage of her "journey" in... Louisiana for her date with Jason, then to Palm Beach for a visit to Johnny's family, and then to Bedminster for her last hometown date. Gabby's set of hometown dates ended happily, but it was an emotional journey. Gabby paid a visit to Erich and met his family, including Erich's father Allan, who had been stricken with terminal cancer (Unfortunately, Erich later reported on social media that his father died on July 9.)

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Erich, like Johnny, wanted to meet his family before doing anything else with Gabby. But first, he informed the Bachelorette about his father's current health predicament. Allan had already been fighting terminal cancer for three years, and his family is unsure how much time he has left. That makes Erich's ability to introduce Gabby to his father even more essential.

Erich calls his father, who says he has good and terrible days. "Gabby was an ICU nurse," he explains to Allan. Allan breaks down as he recalls the nurses who cared for him throughout his 40-day stay in the intensive care unit. "I really admired the ICU nurses," he adds. "They're so sharp." Erich's father admits that his illness has returned, and he praises his wife for the care she has given him. "She's really hanging in there," Allan says. "She's gotten sweeter." This was heartbreaking, especially because viewers learned from the "In Memoriam" statement at the end of the episode that Allan had passed away.

The visit had a lot of discussion on family ties. When Erich sits down with his mother, Donna, she affirms that Allan is doing a "little bit" worse. "But I keep watering that flower," she continues, "and he keeps coming back." This scene really did strike a chord with the viewers as the date further puts everything into perspective. Donna encourages her son, "You marry for life. It's an important decision."

When Mom sits down with Gabby, she reiterates the same viewpoint. "Commitment in my family is really important," Donna explains.  "We don't give up on each other." Gabby is clearly impacted by the entire experience – anyone with a pulse would be moved by this encounter. "Seeing him with his family, that really just made my feelings so much deeper for him," Gabby explains. "I can't wait to tell Erich how I feel tonight."

Erich confesses his feelings for Gabby over drinks at the Gladstone Tavern that evening. "I really frickin' am," he says with emphasis. The Bachelorette is experiencing the same emotions. "After today, I do finally feel comfortable in saying that I am falling in love with you," she admits.

Despite the fact that the date offered fans a lot of optimism for the couple, the moment that stole the show for the viewers was Erich's mother and her thoughts on love, marriage, and relationships. Speaking of how good of a mother-in-law Donna could prove to be to Gabby who had a tough childhood growing up, a fan wrote: "I just feel like Erich’s mom would be such a good mother in law to gabby since her mom wasn’t great growing up. Like she’d know what a mother’s love should be. #TheBachelorette." Seeing Donna be there for Allan in such a difficult time, fans wrote: "I just want to give Erich’s mom a hug. And tell her she’s amazing. #thebachelorette." Calling Donna strong, fans tweeted: "Erich’s mom is so strong, you can see her trying fighting her pain when she and gabby are talking #thebachelorette #bachelorette." Another fan shared some warm words for the entire family: "My respect for Erich’s mom and his dad being so open about his cancer, is through the flipping roof. Erich hands down has the best family tonight. #TheBachelorette."

However, some viewers had a different take on what Donna had to say. A fan wrote how Donna put Gabby on the spot with all her opinions: "I love that Erich’s mom is making Gabby sweat a bit #TheBachelorettes #TheBachelorette." Some fans felt Donna had no choice but take up the responsibilities she was bombarded with: "Erich’s mom is giving me she wanted out but couldn’t vibes… #TheBachelorette #TheBachelorettes." Disagreeing with Donna's philosophy on marriage, a fan tweeted: "i don’t like Erich’s Mom’s philosophy on marriage, I get it, it’s hard work but if it’s a toxic relationship and/or you aren’t happy it’s okay to “quit” #TheBachelorette."

Some fans felt Donna was intense but not uninviting during Gabby's visit: "Erich’s mom is a little intense but not to the point of being off putting #TheBachelorette." Calling out the showrunners for filming in such a dire situation, fans wrote: "Bachelor producers are dirty for making Erich’s poor mom have to talk in front of cameras while her husband is literally dying #TheBachelorette."

'The Bachelorette' Season 19 airs on Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC.

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