Golden Bachelor Season 2 Finale: Mel Owens Chooses Commitment Over Engagement

Mel Owens’ Finale Decision: A Different Kind of Rose Ceremony

On November 12, 2025, viewers tuning into the season 2 finale of The Golden Bachelor were expecting the traditional endgame: an emotional proposal, a sparkling engagement ring, and a promise of forever. But Mel Owens, the 66-year-old retired NFL star, chose a less conventional path—one that speaks volumes about the evolving nature of relationships in later life.

Owens’ journey began with two finalists: Cindy Cullers and Peg Munson. Both women had captured his attention and affection throughout the season, but the finale would see the rules rewritten. Cindy, 60, ultimately walked away after Mel couldn’t give her the commitment she sought. In her words, “If you find a person that makes a good partner, that’s your time to commit.” Mel’s hesitance to promise more than he felt ready for led Cindy to end their relationship before the final rose was even handed out (E! News).

That left Peg Munson, 62, whose connection with Mel had grown steadily, despite a slow start. Unlike Cindy’s openness, Peg’s reserved nature presented challenges for Mel, who admitted in an interview with Glamour that “Peg was sort of closed off and really a difficult person to get to know. Cindy’s affectionate and smart. I like Peg because she’s high-energy, but she was really not that affectionate in the beginning.” Yet, as the season progressed, Peg’s trust in Mel deepened, and by the finale, she declared, “I met my match and I know that you definitely are the man that I can trust.”

Promise Ring Over Proposal: What It Means

In a moment that turned Bachelor Nation expectations upside down, Mel offered Peg a diamond ring—not as an engagement, but as a promise. “This represents our commitment to love,” Mel said, slipping the ring onto Peg’s finger, “to give us time to figure out together what our future holds.” Peg agreed, saying, “I think we’re on the same page with that.” The pair decided to move forward as partners, not fiancés—a decision that resonated with many viewers who understand that love isn’t always about rushing to the altar.

This choice marks a shift in how reality TV, and perhaps society at large, approaches relationships among older adults. Where previous seasons prioritized proposals and dramatic declarations, Mel and Peg’s story is about patience, growth, and respect for each other’s pace. The finale reflected a more realistic view of romance: sometimes, the most meaningful commitment is the one that leaves room for discovery, rather than demanding certainty.

Controversy and Growth: Mel’s Journey Before the Finale

Mel’s path to the finale was not without controversy. Before filming began, he made headlines for his comments about age, telling producers he preferred contestants under 60. “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,” Mel told the MGoBlue Podcast in June. “This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.” The remarks sparked criticism, but Mel addressed the issue head-on in the premiere, apologizing to all 23 contestants: “It was insensitive, unfair. It’s truly a privilege for me to be the Golden Bachelor, and I hope you forgive me and let me earn it back. Age is really just a number, and spirit has no age.” His willingness to take responsibility and learn from the experience became a defining feature of his season.

Mel’s relationship with Peg, built on mutual trust and a willingness to move slowly, can be seen as an extension of this personal growth. The finale’s outcome—no engagement, but a promise—felt authentic, especially in the context of Mel’s journey to understand what true commitment means at this stage in life.

Other Bachelor Nation Updates: Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

The Golden Bachelor is just one thread in a much larger tapestry. Across Bachelor Nation, couples have navigated engagements, heartbreaks, and enduring friendships. Joan Vassos, who appeared on the first season of The Golden Bachelor, found her happy ending on The Golden Bachelorette, getting engaged to Chock Chapple. Meanwhile, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, the inaugural Golden Bachelor couple, divorced just months after their televised wedding, with Gerry now dating someone new (People).

Elsewhere, Kelsey Anderson and Joey Graziadei continue their wedding planning, and Spencer Conley and Jess Edwards turned down a cash prize in favor of an engagement. Yet, not all stories end with romance; Kim Buike and Faith Martin realized they were better off as friends, showing that not every connection is destined for love.

These stories reflect the varied outcomes of reality TV matchmaking—some couples thrive, some drift apart, and some redefine what partnership means.

The Broader Impact: Redefining Relationship Norms

The Golden Bachelor’s second season finale may not have delivered the expected engagement, but it offered something arguably more valuable: an honest depiction of how real relationships unfold. Mel and Peg’s decision to choose a promise over a proposal challenges viewers to rethink what commitment looks like, especially for those navigating love later in life.

It’s a reminder that romance is not a race, and that trust, communication, and understanding can be just as meaningful as a diamond ring. For older adults, and for anyone watching who feels pressured to meet traditional milestones, the finale sends a clear message: your path to love is valid, no matter how it differs from the norm.

As Mel said in his confessional, “Today is about fully committing to Peg and our future together because I’m ready.” In a world obsessed with happy endings, perhaps the most profound story is one that honors the journey—uncertain, evolving, and deeply human.

Mel Owens’ choice to offer Peg Munson a promise ring instead of a proposal signals a refreshing honesty about what love can look like beyond the script. It’s a story about patience, self-awareness, and the courage to redefine commitment—proof that reality TV, at its best, can reflect the complexities of real life.