Friday, August 20, 2010

Our Love Story

08/02/2010


I want to start off by saying thank you. This whole experience has been unbelievable and I am so grateful for all the support I have received from all of you. Now that the show has finished, I promise to keep in touch with all of you on my Facebook andTwitter pages. I actually can’t wait to respond to everyone! It’s fun sharing this wonderful experience with others. :)

Honestly, all week I have been thinking about what I should write in this blog. How could I possibly put into words how I was feeling during this episode?! After much thought, I decided to call on the one person I knew could help me —Roberto. When I asked him, he said, “Start from the beginning. Tell our love story.” So that’s exactly what I am going to do! :)Instead of just giving you my thoughts on the finale, I am going to start at the beginning. I won’t be able to share everything, but I just want to share little things that made me fall in love with him along the way. But before I do that, let me say a few last things about another wonderful man — Chris.
Chris is one of the most wonderful men I have ever known. He handles himself in such a way that you can’t help but be drawn to him. My family absolutely loved him, and they really loved that he was from Massachusetts. In fact, they pretty much loved everything about Chris! We all agreed that he is super fun and a guy that would make a great life partner, but in the end, I had to say goodbye to Chris. As hard at it was, I knew it was the right thing to do. My heart was with Roberto and I knew nothing could change that. I know Chris will find an incredible woman to share his life with. I wish him all the happiness in the world!
I want to take a moment to say that I do not discount any of the other relationships I had along the way. I needed to go through this experience and explore each relationship to its fullest to really figure out what guy was right for me. I value and cherish each relationship that I had along the way and cannot thank all of the guys enough for being there for me. I had special moments with each guy throughout this journey that you may have not seen; however, now is the time for me to tell you about those moments with Roberto. :)
Now I finally have my chance to tell my love story with Roberto. Yay! The very first night that he stepped out of the limo, I felt this unbelievable connection. When I sat down with my producer Cassie to decide who I wanted to give the first impression rose to, I told her that I had to give it to Roberto because I felt in my heart that he was the one for me. It is so funny to think back to that night now and to remember how strong our connection was. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but now I know it couldn’t have been anything other than love at first sight. Chris’s dad actually told me that when his wife first saw him she said, “That is the man I am going to marry.” I had a similar experience with Roberto. Such a blessing!
As you remember, I did not have a date with Roberto the first week. I wanted to SO badly, but I knew that I was going to keep Roberto around for a long time; therefore, I knew that I could wait. I’m so glad I was patient because our first date the following week was perfect.
After the rose ceremonies, I would often wait in the hallway area for my ride home. One time, I fell asleep for a moment on the steps while waiting, and Roberto came down to kiss me on the forehead and say goodnight before I was brought back home. I’ll never forget that. Also, every time I saw Roberto he told me a Spanish word of the day. Some of the words were: incredible, adventure, smile, strength, adorable, dedicated and love. I will leave it to Roberto to translate. I’m still learning! Actually, since the show finished, I went out and bought Rosetta Stone so I can learn Spanish. Spanish is a huge part of Roberto’s life so it is really important to me that learn to speak it. ;) Check in with me in six months and ask me how I’m doing!
Lion King was another one of those unforgettable experiences for us. I truly believe that I could not have done that with any of the other guys. Roberto’s calm confidence helped me get through it.
You didn’t get to see much of us in Iceland. Our time at the Blue Lagoon was unbelievably romantic. I saved a special cave within the Lagoon for our one-on-one time, and things certainly got steamy in there!
Our relationship continued to grow in Turkey and Portugal. I especially remember not wanting to leave him after our date in Lisbon. Dancing in the street with Roberto seems like something you only see in the movies; however, that is life for us! Since the show has ended, we have had secret rendezvous together. During those visits, Roberto will spin me around in the living room and just start dancing with me. He is every bit as romantic at home as he was in Lisbon. I cherish that about him.
I was by far the most nervous visiting Roberto’s family, just because I really wanted to make a good impression. Roberto’s parents have such a lovely marriage. We will truly be lucky if our relationship is as successful as theirs. You didn’t see much of his brother Pete, his brother’s fiancée Christen, and his sitter Olga; however, they are all just as sweet and caring as Roberto. I am really lucky that I get to be a part of his family. They are wonderful!
Now onto Tahiti! During dinner in Le Taha’a, Roberto and I really wanted to be close to each other. I actually have a picture of us kissing while the audio crew was putting our microphones on us. I’ll have to post it to my Facebook Fan Page sometime so you can see it. It’s so cute! We really couldn’t keep our hands off each other! As I noted in my blog two weeks ago, Roberto and I had some funny experiences during our overnight date. Besides that, we stayed up all night talking. I remember not wanting the night to end. I just kept my iPod on repeat and listened to some of my favorite love songs with him all night. One song that I loved in particular was “Halo” by Beyoncé. I remember listening to that song while watching him sleep and thinking, “I have finally found my angel.”
My family absolutely adores Roberto. I love that when my dad gave him permission to propose to me he said, “I don’t see a problem with that.” Ha ha ha. That is classic Daddy Fedotowsky. He cracks me up. That was his way of trying to hide his excitement. My mom told me that during Roberto’s visit she was watching him talk to my sister and brother outside and it brought her to tears because she felt in her heart that she was looking at her future son-in-law. A mother’s intuition is never wrong. :) I actually think we should do a poll after watching the finale. Instead of asking, “Who will Ali choose?” let’s ask, “Whose family is better at salsa? Ali’s family or Roberto’s family?” Tough choice I know. Ha ha.
I was positive my feelings for Roberto were unbreakable once we had our final date. It was perfect. We experienced some thrills (jet skiing and sting rays) and a lot of romance (how amazing with the rain?!?!). The reason I didn’t tell Roberto that I loved him back at the end of our date is because I hadn’t said goodbye to Chris yet, and I felt it wasn’t right for me to tell Roberto I loved him when I couldn’t give him my whole heart yet. However, in time, I was able to tell him exactly how I felt. His proposal to me is the most beautiful thing I could possibly imagine. I actually remember saying to a friend that if I was proposed to on the show it would just be a temporary proposal, and that I would want the guy to propose again out in the “real world.” Wow, do I feel differently now. Roberto’s proposal couldn’t have been more real or special. I wouldn’t ever want anything other than exactly how he asked me. Every word he said came from his heart, and I feel so blessed that he said those words to me. After Roberto and I saw the proposal for the first time at the After the Final Rosetaping, we went home and watched it about 10 more times that night. After re-watching it so many times, we promised each other that whenever we get in a fight, we are going to pop the finale in the DVD player and remember that moment. So glad we have that on film. :)
And finally, I realize that many of you are skeptical of relationships that come out of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette experience, and I am not asking you to feel any different about what I have found. But what I do want to say is this: I have found a love that is stronger than I ever thought was possible. Since the show finished filming, I have fallen even more in love with Roberto. Will we last the test of time? I cannot answer that for you. All I can say is that we will work on our relationship every day, and no matter what we do in our lives, we will always make our relationship our first priority. Roberto is the strongest man I have ever known, and I want spend every day of my life striving to be the best woman I can be for him. I have faith in our relationship. I love him. I cherish him. I am so very thankful to have found him.
Until … the wedding! ;)
xo,
–Ali Fedotowsky

23 comments:

  1. Dear Ali & Roberto,

    I have been a fan of yours since the beginning. You can't hide chemistry and yours was evident from the start. I even won a massage from my husband - I called it after the first episode! (So, thanks!) I haven't watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette religiously, but I did watch both your seasons. I think you two have stumbled into something very special and you will go far together. I wish you the best of luck and will be rooting for you!

    Be Well,
    Ellisheva

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  2. Incredible story but an even more incredible couple. Thank you for your honesty and willingness to let everyone see true love unfold. Wishing you and Roberto all the happiness in the world. You two definitely belong together!

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  3. I remember watching that first episode, and I so hoped that Roberto would be the one for you in the end. I love to see incredible love stories, I'm living one myself :), and I wish only the best for both of you. My husband and I have our wedding on tape and will watch it during tough times, and it always brings us back to our foundation, why we love each other. So, continue your wonderful journey, and during the bumps in the road, go back to the beginning, it really does work. My best to both of you.
    Carolyn

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  4. All the best to both of you. I have watched the proposal over and over again! It is so real and so sincere. I tear up each time I watch it. I do believe that you belong together. You both are so down to earth and very sincere. Salud! for a long happy life!

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  5. I first read this blog over on People's website and it makes me smile even more to read it again, after seeing you start your lives together in the real world. The genuine affection between you two is so charming and sweet.

    I've heard Chris Harrison mention in the past about how the show sometimes captures lightning in a bottle, and that's exactly what happened with you and Roberto. I don't know what brought you two together but it seems like it was destined to happen. Magical. It won't always feel that way. Tough times are inevitable, BORING times are guaranteed, but have faith in each other and your love. You deserve each other, for sure. :)

    Thanks for being so kind and generous to your fans, we can't imagine what it's like to live in a fishbowl, but know that we really do appreciate it. Hopefully the intense media interest will die down soon enough, just getting the photogs out of your way should be a huge relief.

    All my best to you both, and I'll keep checking back for more blogs.

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  6. Ohhh, what a lovely, happy story....I'm a believer that finding a FINE LOVE can happen, and given your honesty and openness to finding that, and commitment to work on it, I think this is a "all systems launch" for love 'n marriage. You both deserve each other...and how about taking that big risk to find it.

    Thanks to all of ABC's where-with-all to make it an unbelievably out of this world romantic journey.

    Yep, Houston, "it's a go!"

    Congratulations to you both!

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  7. Your both so adorable, so sweet
    the first show was purely the ride to get to this amazing moment
    I have been watching from europe, and we all said on show 1 you were the matching couple,
    best of luck and many more awesome adventures
    sharon k

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  8. Ali, I am so happy for you! You have shared the most magical moments with the world and one day I hope to find my own Roberto! :) I hope you both continue to bless eachother and love eachother forever. What you both have is something so many women and (men) haha strive for in life. God bless you both down the long road of happiness!

    Danielle

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  9. I am 58+ and watching and reading the feelings and relationship you have with Roberto- I almost get giddy myself. I remember the absolute high that falling and being in love brings, there is not a drug made that can replace that. Enjoy- and as you start to come back down to earth, make a promise to carve out time that is special to be together. Keep the flame, fan the fire :>)

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  10. Girl, that totally brought tears to my eyes!! I wish you and "R" all the best for your future!!

    Also, you picked the most amazing place in the USA to live.. SAN DIEGO!! I have only been here for about 2 years, but I do not regret my move here at all!! There are so many beautiful/amazing things to do and see her!!

    See ya around!! :)

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  11. Hey Ali -

    Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I'm so proud of you and Roberto. Watching you throughout the season, and now in your real life together, you guys are setting such a great example of true love and everything that it means. Not only are you guys cuter than EVER, but seeing two people so in love with one another is an inspiration for everyone, even for an already-married couple like my husband and I...so thank you for that.

    I wish you guys so much happiness and many blessings - can't wait for the wedding!

    Kaley :)

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  12. Congrats on finding you "one" in each other. I've been a big fan since the Bachelor, I felt we had a lot in common, and seeing you two so in love is just awesome :) My boyfriend and I were long distance for 8 months, and we took a leap of faith and he moved across the country for me - 2 years later (tomorrow!) and we're more in love than ever. Fairytales really do come true.

    I know you're learning to cook! My blog is full of recipes (I love Rachael Ray haha), please check it out and try them out! I hope it pleases your man as much as it pleases mine!!!

    All the best,

    Kelly

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  13. Ali' I'm so happy for you and Roberto! From day 1 I knew he was the one. I know you guys are going to beat the odds and get married. To tell you the truth, if you ever brakeup I'm going to be as devistaded as you. My daughter tells me, mom get a life please! I've watched all your videos on You Tube a zillion times. You two are so adorable and In love, it's like a fairytale. Best wishes and take care of eachother. Don't let the media get in your way. Pleeeease!

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  14. as i think you've learned, cause you've often said. love is what life is about. i love hearing your desire to put your relationship above all else. life can get so hectic sometimes, but it's great to have that constant..and the constant doesn't mean anything if you've not nurtured and invested into it. blessings to you guys! look forward to what is ahead for you!

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  15. Ali & Roberto, I am so happy for you and Roberto. I am a Bachelor/Bachelorette junkie so my family says.
    Roberto I make my 14 year old son watch how you treated Ali on the show and after to show him how he should treat a girl. Your little comments almost made me fall in love with you. Ali you remind me a lot of myself. I love to play sports wear my tennis shoes but very much enjoy dressing up and being very pretty. I wish you two all the best of luck and you have helped many people feel and relive those magical moments in their own lives. I have to say Ali using your own words Roberto is smoking hot and you are just beautiful in and out. I also picked you from the beginning and I wish we could see some of those edited moments.

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  16. Congrads. Ali and Roberto on your choice and NEW life together. I've followed you Ali on your journey to find love and happiness from your days with Jake to you having your own show hoping to have a fairytale ending to your love story. We all hope you have found that in Roberto - your AWSOME chemistry was there from the very beginning - You and R make such a GREAT couple! Live and Love each other every day as though it was your last - Respect and Appreciate each other even though at times you don't agree - have Faith and Trust in each other and your relationship - make each other your main priority every day - relationships are so hard to keep together now days with life and it's many distractions - you must believe in each other and your relationship to make it work and be strong for each other - Help each other to make it threw the days and nights. With you being such a popular couple, you are probably wondering when your lives are going to get back to being normal. You may want to ask and take some advice from Trista & Ryan Sutter, Molly & Jason Mesnick, Melissa Rycroft & Tye, Kiptyn & Tenley and even Chris Harrison - these people are all about Good relationships, friends and family, just like the values you and Roberto have and at one time or another they lives were and still are under the paparazzi limelight too. Try and keep your love life and private life out of the CRAZY Papaarazzi L.A. Hollywood crowd that is why you desided to settle in San Diego. I'm sure that there are Hair Salons, Shopping Mall, and Exercise Gyms in San Diego - L. A. is a 2 hr drive from R and the New life you are trying to build with each other. Now that you are not working- why not volunteer for some of the Charities that you and R have attended in the San Diego area. The San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation, The Cystic Fibroses Foundation with Kiptyn, the Rescue Animal Sanctuary etc or any other Organization that you maybe interested in. You are a Beautiful person inside and out with a Great personality and Big heart, you would be an asset to anyone of them and who knows you may get a job with one of them. I am making my comments and giving some advice to you as though you are my own daughter because as I said in the beginning I have followed you from the start of your journey and just LOVE you to death and only want the best of love and Happiness that life has to offer you - your love story has been an inspiration to us all and we are all looking forward to your wedding in the spring of 2011 - Best of Luck to you and Roberto. Just a thought for the bride and groom's 1st dance - start out with something loving and slow THEN STRUT into a SEXY Salsa dance! (Rent the movie Dirty Dancing Havanna Nights - it's a chick flick but the blonde american girl in the movie surprises her parents and herself with some dance moves as she discovers herself and her love for the dance and her 1st love for a latin/cuban boy and his country - the music is pretty good too)Suprise us all and let the party begin- suprise Roberto and say your wedding vows to him in spanish that would be so beautiful and bring us all to tears isn't love grand! Good Luck and Best Wishes - I'll be on your twitter page under JG871 -Hope to hear from you . Love Ya XX OO

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  17. I have no doubt that with the attitude that you two share ~ of putting your relationship and each other first ~ your love will only deepen as you share your lives together.

    I often wonder if the two of you know how much joy your love has brought to so many other people? How seeing photos of the two of you, smiling, brings smiles to our faces.

    I truly believe that you are blessed with a rare and beautiful gift in each other and I thank you for sharing that gift ~ that joy ~ with us

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  18. I could tell from when he stepped out the limo that he would make it far in the show- you were so giddy!!! I watched the show with my friends & I seriously called it from the beginning that Roberto would be the one!!!
    ahhh I'm glad you're doing a blog. I never really watched Bachelor or Bachelorette before your season, but I thought you seemed so genuine and REAL that I kept watching. You go girl :) so happy for you guys, all the best!!! you should def keep up the blogs!!
    Claire

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  19. Wow...I watched both seasons and I definitely liked Roberto from the start! You two seem perfect for each other. I wish you the best!

    ~Ashley

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  20. Ali & Roberto, I don't know exactly what makes you both so special to everyone. I thought I was the only crazy fool that couldn't get enough of your love story. I have a life with love, but your story is just too beautiful. I have watched the shows in the past. I always try to watch the first episode and like all reality shows you pick your choice. I haven't been wrong yet. Even when Jason didn't pick Molly I knew something was wrong. That would have been my first loss. And to my amazement I was happy for them it all worked out for them. I had only wished in your season that they did show more of you and Roberto's dates. The others just weren't worth watching. I for some reason now a devoted Ali & Roberto fan, fast forward the tapes of all the other bachelors you spent time with. I can see them trying to throw everyone off the scent of real love but like you said Ali many times that you thought Roberto was too good to be true. We all saw that too. Roberto was not like all the rest which I think makes it so much more special to the people that watch that no matter how nice the men we have, there is better, there is a Prince Charming! I am so glad that you made the right choice. That man gave his all to you. Something that alot of people wish for in a man. Not selfish. To give his life to please you. What more could you have asked for. You have passion and romance and he today still takes a back seat to you. I am happy to see you include him in your journey. He wants you to be happy and successful and not get in your way. I never knew people like this existed. You must be pretty special to have snagged a man like that. Forget all the other bachelors. No one wants to see them. Everyone wants to see you and Roberto's story from beginning to end. It is a real love story with a happy ending. Not like a movie when they have to throw in death or something devastating in the end. I wish you both happiness and lots of success. You both are very engaging separately but you both are even more engaging when together and should do some sort of show together. You both bring out the best in each other. Don't get tired of your fans prying into your lives. Like you said you watched the show how many times? What love story was as beautiful as this? Be proud, be proud you found each other. This kind of love must be a fairytale! I have never seen or felt anything like this. Obviously I am not alone with this thought. You both stay true to each other and thank you for sharing your life with us.

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  21. SO happy for you guys! ;O)

    Meghan (Mel from PA )

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  22. You are truly amazing Ali! I e-mailed you a while back and I just want you to know your such an inspiration and I appreciate you so much! I enjoyed reading this and as I said before, maybe someday we will meet. God bless you and have a good day! =]

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  23. Hi Ali! Check out the book, The Floss Diet.

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