Monday, December 27, 2010

{ Out of the Mouth of Babes }

We fell in love with Rick Buck even more after we interviewed his nieces and nephews and tried to get all the dirt we could.  Best part is that they all adore him.  We think you will too!  Hurry now to apply - the deadline is fast approaching on December 31st and then Rick will be on his way to true Mormon love.  It could be you:)

Friday, December 24, 2010

{ Merry Christmas from Rick Buck and TMB }

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  Recently, the talented and lovely Jylare Smith took some photos to highlight our handsome Mormon Bachelor Rick Buck.  She did an amazing job capturing his true personality on the rainy streets of Huntington Beach, CA - the birthplace of TMB.  Next professional photo shoot - Rick and his future partner in crime. Could it be you? ;)













Check out more of Jylare's masterpieces at www.jylare.com

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

{ Back to Buck }

The pressure's on Rick Buck... now that we are batting 1000 with Aubrey's recent engagement to the dashing Matt Laidlaw, we are determined to find your match.  We have had eligible lovely ladies by the dozens applying on the site, but just in case the future Mrs. Buck hasn't yet applied we wanted to give you all another sneak peak into Rick and his motivations for finding Mrs. Right on The Mormon Bachelor...  Enjoy!

Monday, December 20, 2010

{ MATT & AUBREY :: THE PROPOSAL }

And I thought this day would NEVER come! It's hard to believe that just 3 short months ago (to the day!) I went on my first date with Mr. Matt Laidlaw and felt the first twinklings of love as he kissed me that September night on my doorstep. Only in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I'd be lucky enough to wear his ring and one day be called his wife. I am truly the luckiest girl in the world!

I'm hoping you've all had a chance to read through Erin Elton's latest blog post with the happenings of the big day, but now it's my turn to dish out the details...


Sunday morning began like any other Sabbath day. The alarm clock went off, I rolled out of bed, got ready for the day, and headed downstairs to meet up with a few TMB staffers to discuss the next season of TMB. There's nothing quite like spending the early hours of your sabbath morning in the service of a friend, helping him to gain his eternal salvation!

While in the midst of planning, my jovial mood was sobered when I got a text from Matt which read, "Aubrey my pool is flooding and I'm not gonna be able to make it down today." I was so bummed because I would be singing a special musical number in church and really wanted him there.  Trying to be a supportive girlfriend I asked him if I could bring dinner up to Glendora after church to which he replied "I think it's better if you don't come up tonight. I'll just give you a call tonight."  Of course I didn't like that one bit so I spent the remainder of the day sulking and waiting for the phone call that would never come.

I had to be in bed early that night because I would be making a 3am run to the Flower Market for a wedding I'm working on, so at 8:30 I washed off my makeup, put on my pjs, and crawled into bed with my sciptures. Matt and I have been reading a chapter a day from the Book of Mormon and I didn't want to get behind!

I had a hard time focusing on what I was reading, as my thoughts would continuously turn to Matt, wondering if he would ever call.  So, I decided to text him and see if he could talk. His response was "I'm actually at my grandparents house helping them unclog some drains in their backyard. It's kinda a tense situation. Can we talk tomorrow?"  That's when I kind of lost it.

I buried my nose back in my scriptures and with frustration started into another chapter, when suddenly there was a knock on my bedroom door. It was my roommate Erin! I welcomed her in as she placed a computer on my lap and said "I need you to look at this video I've been working on to promote Rick Buck. Let me know what think." And before I could say anything she was gone down the hall.

I pressed play and well, you know what I saw! My heart began to race!!! At first I was in shock! Then my mind started to race..."Is Matt really downstairs? What is he doing here? What does he want to give me? Why did he tell me he was in Glendora? Oh my gosh I'm in my ugly pajamas with no makeup on! Do I change? Do I put my makeup back on? What do I do?" There was no time for any of that though so I just quietly tiptoed my way down the stairs. That's when I saw the video camera pointed toward the dining room and Matt hiding behind the corner on bended knee!!!

The feelings I felt next are indescribable! I was so 100% surprised by the whole thing and so incredible happy and madly in love with the man down on bended knee that I just couldn't contain my emotions! I'm sure you saw! It was a moment of absolute perfection. I have never been happier than in that moment when he asked "Will you marry me?" YES MATT!!! A thousand times over. YES, I will marry you!

So much for an early bedtime!  The rest of the night was spent kissing, cuddling, kissing, calling our families, more kissing, and more calling! It was all too perfect!  I still can't believe it's real. I've been staring at my ring every 5 minutes and pinching myself just to make sure it's not just a dream!  It's truly a fairytale ending...or beginning, depending on how you look at it!

My thoughts about the divine inspiration of The Mormon Bachelorette journey have only been confirmed by the happenings of last night.  Matt and I are so madly in love and plan to be married for time and all eternity on March 19, 2011 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. I can't believe how lucky I am!  What a blessing to have finally found the man of my dreams. I love you Matt and can't wait to start our forever together!



{ I know the picture quality is not the best, but Matt got me exactly what I wanted!  It's a custom-made split-shank prong, micro-pave diamond encrusted ring, fitted with the most beautiful cushion cut diamond!  I am obsessed!!! }

Sunday, December 19, 2010

{ For Aubrey... }



Erin Elton here - the girl behind the camera and behind the scenes of TMB. Three days ago Matt called me with the best request I could have imagined... to help him pull off a surprise proposal for my best friend and roommate Aubrey Messick. It wasn't an easy task to get Aubrey out of the house so that Matt could come over and film his romantic request for her hand in marriage. Somehow we pulled it off and hid Matt in an upstairs room while I snuck into Aubrey's and convinced her to watch the latest "Rick Buck video" I had just edited for TMB. I quickly rushed out of her room to Aubrey yelling at me "Why did you name it 'For Aubrey', I'm confused?" I just left and let her figure it out while I positioned myself in the living room with the camera where Matt was nervously waiting her arrival. Watch the extended video with the actual proposal below.

I get emotional just thinking about everything that has happened tonight and especially everything that happened several months ago in planning The Mormon Bachelorette up to this moment.

Aubrey, I love you and I am so happy that you have found your eternal companion. We have spent many hours in the past crying over lost loves and now you get to cry over how happy you are to have a ring permanently on your finger and a man by your side forever that you are crazy about and that loves you more than anything. I have to admit, I couldn't have picked anyone better for you and he is getting quite the catch in a future wife.

Matt, you make my best friend the happiest I have ever seen her and that is the best thing a friend can ask for. Thank you for so willingly signing up for The Mormon Bachelorette, showing Aubrey the time of her life on your TMB dates and beyond, and taking her to the temple this Spring. I will be there to film any time you ask:).

May the festivities begin! A grateful ending to an inspired journey. Love you both.

Erin

Friday, December 17, 2010

{ RICK'S Friends Reveal The Truth }

Just when you thought you knew a lot about Rick Buck, our Mormon Bachelor, you realize that you didn't know enough about this adventurous, hilarious, and considerate man. Take a peek at what some of Rick's closest friends have to say about our bachelor in shining armor.



Hurry girls, the application window is closing soon! Get in on your chance to find true love with one of the LDS Single scene's finest, Rick Buck.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

{ Ask Rick Buck }

The applications for The Mormon Bachelor have been pouring in and we are really excited!  We only have a few weeks left until we close the window for bachelorette applications and we want you to get to know the real Rick Buck.  Send in your questions for Rick through the link to the left of this post under "Ask Rick Buck".  Rick will respond via video on the site.  Trust us, there is more to Rick than you have seen and we want to make sure that none of you miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime to get to know the real him!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

{ Introducing... THE NEW MORMON BACHELOR RICK BUCK!!! }

After many long weeks of reviewing video applications to help an extraordinary eligible bachelor we have come to our decision!  There is no one more deserving than our own RICK BUCK!  You may remember Rick from his 1st and 2nd dates with Aubrey during the last go around.  He was so motivated to find true love that he put together an AMAZING application video that we just couldn't keep to ourselves.  Enjoy!


Now it is time for all of you single females to get involved! Click on the link on the upper-left hand side of the site to apply for the opportunity to go on a date or two with Rick. Here are the rules:
1. Ladies will plan the first date, but will not have to pay for their date.
2. If you are from out of town (Rick lives in Rancho Cucamonga) you will have to provide your own transportation and accommodations.
3. Applications will be accepted until December 31st.
Take our word for it - Rick Buck is a catch!  E-mail themormonbachelorette@gmail.com if you have any questions and Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

{ Last Call for Bachelor Application Videos! }

Dear all of our potential MORMON BACHELORS out there - we have been loving your application videos and if it wasn't for our excitement in helping one of you find true love, we wouldn't want the fun to end!  Saturday, December 4th is the last day to submit your video.  Remember to upload all content to YouTube and then send the link to themormonbachelorette@gmail.com by this Saturday at midnight.

We will be announcing the next Mormon Bachelor on Wednesday, December 8th at 12pm PST.  It is going to be a difficult decision - you boys are creative!  Keep the videos coming and get excited for a GREAT season in finding true Mormon love!!!  We have a lot of surprises up our sleeves.  Stay tuned!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

{ GRATEFUL . THANKFUL . BLESSED }

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Can you believe the holidays are already here? It's been a busy couple of months and everyone here who has been hard at work on the next season of TMB is looking forward to some downtime with some turkey, mashed potatoes, and a side of football!!!

Rumor has it, Matt & Aubrey will be enjoying double the fun this year with a little meet and greet at The Messick's in San Clemente followed by a night of fun at the Laidlaw's. How exciting! We're so thrilled for the happy couple who seem to be falling more and more in love with every passing day. Seems like there's a lot to be thankful for this year!

Which reminds us, we are so incredibly grateful to the talented Courtney Brooke Winnie for the gorgeous images she captured of our happy TMB couple on the streets of Huntington Beach. To see more of her amazing work, check out her website at www.iamcourtneybrooke.com.

Now go on and enjoy yourselves and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And don't forget boys, keep sending in those application videos. The deadline will be here before you know it and we all know you wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity to meet 22 ladies all clamoring for your attention. We can't wait!










{ All Photos Courtesy :: Courtney Brooke Photography }

Friday, November 19, 2010

{Are YOU the next MORMON BACHELOR?}

We know what you are thinking... When is the next season going to start?  Who will be named "The Mormon Bachelor 2011"?  And... When will we have our daily fix of Mormon dating fun?  Great news everybody!!!  The new season of The Mormon Bachelor begins MID JANUARY.  Naturally we have our favorites that we would love to see fall in love just like our Aubrey and Matt.  But we want to hear from you as well!

From now until Saturday, December 4th, we will be accepting applications for the next Mormon Bachelor.  The fun twist this time is that we will be accepting these applications only in the form of VIDEO!  So, all you single men out there, put your best foot forward - we want to know why YOU want to be the next Mormon Bachelor and find Mrs. Right.  How will this work?

1. Upload your video to YouTube 
2. E-mail the link to themormonbachelorette@gmail.com
3. We will contact you as soon as we receive it and keep you updated on our progress

Feel free to let loose, have fun and show us your true personality.  Even include testimonials if you like (Dane's mid-season video application was a great example:)
The next Mormon Bachelor will be announced by Christmas and then we will be accepting applications for Bachelorettes to join in on the dating fun until January 10th.  
So, what are we thankful for this year?  Matt and Aubrey's blissful union of course... AND... we can't WAIT to see what you Bachelors come up with in your application videos.  Let the fun begin!

Monday, November 8, 2010

{ TMB :: Update!!! }

Hello there readers, viewers, fans, and all the like. It's time for a TMB update!!! I know some of you have been waiting on the edges of your seats, wondering what's going on with our cute couple, so we thought we'd turn the time over to Aubrey for a little recap on their first month together.  And check out this sneak peak of a photo shoot Matt & Aubrey just finished up with the talented Courtney Brooke. More to come on that later. Right now it's Aubrey's turn to talk...


Hi everyone!  I can't believe it's almost been a month! Where do I even begin? I think I'll start with what's been on my mind every minute of every day: MATT LAIDLAW! Who knew one man could make me feel so "perfectly and incandescently happy." (Name that movie!)  A lot of you have been writing in asking how everything is going, what we've been up to, and all that other good stuff.  So, I thought I'd get down to business and answer a few of your inquiries:

How often do you get to see each other?  It's no secret that Matt and I lead VERY busy lives! Between Matt's job at Laidlaw's Harley Davidson, his new house which has been requiring hours of his attention, my schedule at Handbill Printers, all the weekend weddings I do with Design By Aubrey, and the one hour commute between our homes, it leaves little time to be together. But we make it work! Weekend evenings are always reserved for each other!

How have you two been spending your time?  It's been nice to break away from all the "crazy/fun" dates I was going on during The Mormon Bachelorette, and get back to reality with some "real" dates. We've been out to dinner a lot, had some home cooked meals too, gone to the movies, went on a romantic Harley ride through the canyon. We've done a few double and triple dates, spent time with family, and even stayed in for a little alone time. Regardless of what we do, we just love being together!

Have you met each other's families?  We love each other's families.  Obviously you all saw Matt meet my family during the season finale.  But what you never saw was a "secret trip" I took up to Glendora during conference weekend to spend some time with Matt and meet his adorable parents.  We didn't get to spend nearly enough time together because of the crazy dating schedule I was keeping, but since then I've been able to spend some more time with his family at their Harley dealership and made future plans to attend his Grandmother's birthday dinner next weekend.  Can't wait!

Will you be spending the holidays together?  I can't wait to spend the holidays with Matt.  Since our families are both here in Southern California we've made plans to spend Thanksgiving day with BOTH.  Thursday morning Matt will be with me in Dana Point running the famous 5K Turkey Trot (it's tradition) and then heading to San Clemente to meet my grandparents and some aunts, uncles and cousins.  My family is beyond excited to meet him!  After I've thoroughly exhausted him we'll head up to Glendora to spend the rest of the evening with his family. I hope they like me!

So tell us, are you in love?  While it's crazy to think it's only been a month, the answer is yes!  We've definitely fallen head over heels for each other and love being in love.  We can't seem to stop smiling whenever we're together.  We've both said this to each other several times before, but we just feel like we were saved for each other.  And while I know Matt and I are far from perfect, I can confidently say that we're perfect for each other!  I love him.

What's next for the two of you? I see great things in our future!  I know whatever we decide to do next, it'll certainly be together! I'd actually really like to take Matt out to Arizona to spend some more time with my sister and her family in Phoenix.  And Matt has already told me that we've got a date with the Wasatch Mountains for some snowboarding this winter (I can't wait!), but that's about as far as we've planned. So while I don't know much, I do know the best is yet to come!

So I guess that's about it!  I hope I've at least answered some of your questions and given you the little sneak peak you were hoping for.  Be sure to stay tuned for some photographs from my recent photo shoot with Matt and the talented Courtney Brooke Winnie.  You're gonna love them!

Monday, October 25, 2010

{ THE BACHELOR TELLS ALL }

Hello to all of you loyal TMB followers! We hope you haven't been missing us too much. We know a lot of you have been asking for an update from the happy couple so we thought we'd give you just that. But instead of hearing it from Aubrey or one of the Staffers, we thought we'd let Aubrey's boyfriend, Matt Laidlaw take a turn. Here's a little something Matt put together to share his side of the story. We hope you enjoy!


Two months ago I was in Arizona at the Colorado River with some friends. We were all sitting on a dock late at night watching the water. I was thumbing through my phone looking at Facebook when I stumbled upon a post about the Mormon Bachelorette. I was instantly entertained at the idea that these girls were actually doing a Mormon version of the Bachelorette. I couldn’t help but think they were seriously going out on a limb (especially Aubrey) to find “True Mormon love,” while adding some entertainment value to it. After reading over the entire blog I was impressed by the amount of work that had already gone into this thing and how much thought and effort these staffers and Aubrey were dedicating to TMB. At this point all I knew is that I wanted to be part of it for the simple reason of having fun and possibly adding to the excitement of things.

Now Aubrey and I had met a few times and talked here and there briefly. We both attended the same ward so I saw her on Sundays. I can honestly say that I never got a good vibe from Aubrey during these short exchanges. Not that it was a bad vibe, but I always felt that we said “hi” to be nice and cordial but after that she was ready to move on to whatever else was happening around us. Because of this, I never would have asked Aubrey out on a date and I never in a million years thought I would be picked in the end. Again, my motivation to apply to TMB was purely to have fun and to be a part of something that I thought would get a lot of attention and make some waves. I have a lot of respect for the girls and guys who were putting it on and I thought that I might build some friendships as well.

Going into the first date I really didn’t expect much except to have a nice ride and eat some good food. After knocking on the door and seeing Aubrey, I remember looking into her eyes and thinking, “Wow this girl looks gorgeous.” We then got on my bike and headed down PCH towards the Rusty Pelican. I could sense she wasn’t even a bit afraid of being on a motorcycle. Her adventurous side came out almost immediately and I could tell she was genuinely enjoying the ride. During dinner a very mature side of Aubrey came out that I really wasn’t expecting at all. We talked about school, work, and pretty much everything in life that led us to where we are today. I started questioning her about her intentions and expectations with TMB. She said to me in a very serious tone that she fully expected to be in a relationship at the end of everything and that if she wasn’t then maybe there were some things that needed to be reassessed about her personally. My perception of things shifted slightly at that point, Aubrey was a woman who knew what she wanted and she was using very unconventional methods to get it! This was not a game or a joke to her. I was instantly impressed and found something VERY attractive about it all.

The ride home was like a foggy scene out of Pirates of the Caribbean or something, it was awesome. By the time I was walking her to the door I knew we had a bit of a connection and I felt like a quick kiss would be appropriate to make the whole night that much better. I had just been on one of the best first dates of my life and I never saw it coming. Riding back to Glendora that night I was doing 100 up the freeway, I was seriously on cloud 9. By the next morning I was really hoping to get another date and I had a good feeling about my chances.

For the next week I received numerous calls, texts, and e-mails from friends and family, many of whom I hadn’t heard from in years. I couldn’t believe the exposure that this small blog was getting! How were all these people finding out about it? I still haven’t figured out the answer to that question except for social networking sites and stuff. People were telling me how addicted to the blog they were and how they thought it was the coolest thing ever. I was hearing from people across the country and old missionary companions in other countries. People have contacted me that I don’t even know. I then realized that Aubrey, Erin, Emily, and the other “staffers” created something big, something that a lot of people were enjoying every day.

The next three weeks were a little tough and annoying at times. Never in my life have I been on such a great date only to watch the girl date 20 other dudes (and kiss some) before I could go out with her again. I respected the “show” though and Aubrey’s right to date whoever and have just as good a time as we did together. I was amazed at how far some of the guys traveled and I felt like they deserved just as good a shot as I did. During this time Aubrey and I communicated frequently via text and I could tell there was still a strong spark there so I wasn’t that worried. Aubrey and I also may, or may not have spent one morning together during the course of all these dates as well.

The second date we went on was absolutely perfect. Aubrey picked to go to the wave house in San Diego which was awesome! Justin and Emily filmed that day and they were great company. I can’t say enough good things about Aubrey’s friends and family who all helped with the immense work that this all took. Even Larry, who was some competition for me, thanks for all the hard work and late nights you put in to make TMB a success. Anyways, the date was incredible and I learned a lot more about Aubrey and some of the things she has been through in her life. Aubrey impresses me with something new I learn about her every time we go out. Plain and simple, she is a “doer” not a “talker.” That day Aubrey told me that she had chosen me to meet her parents and I gladly accepted!

Saturday night I went to Aubrey’s parent’s house straight from work. I had been wearing helmets that day and I probably smelt like exhaust. I hope that answers any questions about my hair and clothes. Aubrey’s family is pretty much picture-perfect. Her Mom, Dad, sister, and brother in-law were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Dinner was gourmet and the whole evening was very fun and relaxing. We did go swimming, which wasn’t on camera, but that was the best part of the night by far.

I want to express my thanks again to Aubrey, Erin, Emily, the film crews, Reality-Nephi, and everyone else involved who put in a ton of work. This was a serious project that involved a lot of work. It has been one of the coolest things I have ever participated in.

For everyone that keeps asking me if she is “The One;” I am a realist, Aubrey and I have only been on about 6 dates or so. That is far too early to tell if two people are compatible for the long term. That being said, I am crazy about Aubrey. Sometimes when we are out I can’t help but think we were meant for each other. I respect her in so many ways and I find new ways every time we are together. I look forward to seeing where our relationship goes. This whole thing ended completely different than I would have ever expected, and I couldn’t be happier.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

{ A NOTE OF THANKS }

I can't believe it's all over.  What an incredible journey these last 31 days have been.  I truly could not have dreamt up a better ending.  With gratitude I look back on this journey and realize I owe many thanks to everyone that made this experience such a success.


First, to my faithful Staffers, Erin Elton and Emily Hatch.  Your tireless efforts in calling, texting, emailing, interviewing and filming were greatly appreciated.  I loved the anonymity of each date and knowing each guy was hand selected by you.  I know at times there were frustrations and complications, but you were the ones who stayed with me every step of the way. I feel like I owe the success of The Mormon Bachelorette to you girls.  I feel seriously so blessed! ;)

A special thank you to my friends and family, those that supported me when the going got tough.  I had no idea how high and low emotions would run as I tired myself physically, mentally, and spiritually through these 31 days.  Your confidence and support in me is truly what carried me through.  I love you all!

To the camera crew: Erin, Emily, Larry, The Gibbys, Tyler, and Megan.  What would I have done without you?  You guys are such rockstars for giving up your time to follow me around with a video camera.  Much appreciation to each and every one of you!

And to you, the viewers.  Thank you for watching and commenting!  We had over 100,000 viewers in over 45 states and countries all across the globe. I can't thank you enough for tuning in and sharing this journey with me. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

To the Bachelors.  I know I already expressed my appreciation to each of you, but really, once is not enough.  The dates you planned, the time you sacrificed, the emotions you put out on the line, never once went unnoticed.  I will forever remember each of you and how special you made me feel during the time we spent together.  I wish each one of you nothing by success as you continue in your own quest for "true Mormon love."

And finally, to Matt! Thank you for signing up for The Mormon Bachelorette.  Given our history I am pretty sure that you and I would have never ended up together any other way.  It just goes to show that if you really want to get to know a person, TAKE THEM ON A DATE!  Matt, you make me so incredibly happy and I can't wait to see where this thing goes!

Again, I truly appreciate all of the love and support everyone has shown over these last few weeks.  I promise to do my best to keep everyone updated every once in a while! But in the meantime, it's time to start getting excited for what's coming next!  We here at TMB are already looking forward to another season of the "show" and are busy planning the sequel, The Mormon Bachelor.  We hope you'll stick around for the fun that's sure to come.

Yours Truly,

Aubrey Messick
The Mormon Bachelorette

Sunday, October 17, 2010

{ THE FINAL ROSE }

A little teaser before the the final rose.  Stay tuned for the second half when we reveal the man that won Aubrey's heart.


Here it is! The moment you've all been waiting for...

Saturday, October 16, 2010

{ DEAR BACHELORS, }

Thinking back on all of the incredible dates I've gone out on these last 30 days, I can't help but get a little choked up. While I'd certainly hoped to meet some amazing bachelors through this experience, I had no idea I would find so many wonderful guys with so many amazing qualities, all with so much to offer me. At the end of these 30 dates in 30 days I can honestly say I've never had more fun in my entire life! So to all of you 22 bachelors out there who so willingly participated, "Thank you!" You've made this girl feel so incredibly loved.

Yours Truly,

Aubrey Messick
The Mormon Bachelorette

{ MATT & AUBREY }

Friday night's date sponsored by: Handbill Printers, Southern California's resource for off-set printing.


After my first date with Matt Laidlaw, I remember sitting down to be interviewed by my Staffers and being asked "How do you think the date went?" With a huge smile on my face I answered, "I don't think it could have gone any better." Now here I am, several weeks later, having been on Date #2 with Matt and would like to echo those same sentiments..."I don't think it could have gone any better!"

I wanted my last and final date to be amazing and memorable so I chose something that I knew Matt and I would both love to do together. I so wish you could have seen the look on his face when I told him we'd be going to the world famous Wave House in San Diego.  It's like Disneyland for extreme sports junkies like us!

Knowing what an avid wakeboarder and snowboarder Matt is, I knew he'd love it just as much as me. And he did!  We had the time of our lives learning to ride the FlowRider, the qualifier for Bruticus Maximus, which we later conquered (or at least tried to). That thing was a beast!!! I can't even tell you how much fun we had learning to steady ourselves on those boards with thousands of gallons of water rushing at us. Seriously, a simple fall felt like being thrown in a giant human washing machine. We got rocked for sure! But oh was it worth it! I seriously can't wait to get back down there and do it all over again.

Matt and I really did have the perfect date!  He even told me "That was the best date I've ever been on!"  And I couldn't agree more.  I absolutely loved seeing Matt's adventurous side and learning something new together. I still can't stop thinking about how he was so complimentary of me all day, even when I probably looked like an idiot falling time and time again. I'm thinking that's boyfriend material for sure! I would definitely be the luckiest girl in the world to end up with Matt at the end of all this. I wonder what my family would think if I chose to bring him home to meet them on Saturday.  Who will I ever choose...

Friday, October 15, 2010

{ JASON & AUBREY }


Ok, so maybe the Clippers didn't win tonight, but that sure didn't stop Jason and I from having the time of our lives at tonight's game! Jason is such a champ for driving all the way down from Salt Lake for our second date. I definitely felt extremely important to him for making such a sacrifice to be here for date number two. With that in mind, I knew I had to plan something extra amazing to show my appreciation!

Knowing what a basketball fanatic Jason is, I did my homework and realized one of my favorite teams, the LA Clippers, had a pre-season game at the Staples Center in LA against the Denver Nuggets. Immediately my thoughts turned to my good friend Mike, the announcer for the Clippers, to see what kind of connections could be provided. Mike definitely hooked us up with some awesome seats adjacent to the players tunnel where we got to high five each of the players on their way into the locker room.  And as if that wasn't cool enough, he even got us Friends & Family Passes to hang out "backstage." We loved getting the celebrity treatment.

I'm a big sports enthusiast myself, so being at the game got me all kinds of excited! And when I'm excited, the loud, obnoxious basketball fan inside me comes out! I swear, every time Kaman hit that 3 pointer and Griffin rocked the slam dunk, I was on my feet cheering! Hopefully I didn't scream Jason's ear off too much. (I probably did...but I just can't help it!) Unfortunately my yelling and screaming didn't do much to change the score though. We finished off the night just 2 baskets short of a win. Dang it! Regardless, I thought it was a great game.

After it all ended we stopped by the announcer's table to thank Mike for the sweet hook-ups. I introduced him to my date and after just 5 minutes he told me "I think this guy could be it!" Thanks Mike! In the next 24 hours that I have to decide, I'll be sure to weigh your opinion heavily. You never know...

Thursday, October 14, 2010

{ RICK & AUBREY }


Oh Ricky! (Don't worry, he told me I can call him that.) What a fun date we had tonight in Hollywood! Think back with me to Date #2 and you'll remember that for our first date Rick took me to the happiest place on earth, exposing me to his "Rick the Happy Disneyland Goer" side. So when planning tonight's date, I decided to do something that would expose yet another one his "many layers." While I tossed around ideas that might bring out "Rick The Hippie," "Rick The Poser," or even "Rick the Meditative Ninja," in the end I decided to stick with just Rick Buck. One personality is enough for me!

We started things off with some dinner at the famous Roscoe's House of Chicken 'N Waffles on Sunset Blvd. I know it sounds like such a strange combo, but trust me, it's good stuff.  Those who have eaten here know it's a classic case of opposites attract! Uh-oh, I feel a metaphor coming on...Is Rick the chicken to my waffle? It's usually the unlikely pairings that end up being oh-so-good together! You like that? I thought so.

After dinner we made our way over to the Pantages Theater on Hollywood Blvd where Rick and I saw Phantom Of The Opera together for the first time. I thought the show was absolutely amazing! The Phantom did a phenomenal job and the set was incredible! I was entertained the whole night through. And the company wasn't too bad either.  The theater ended up being quite cold so it was nice to cuddle up to a warm body. I could tell Ricky didn't mind.

Before heading home we decided to just walk around Hollywood and Vine for a bit and check out the stars. No, not those stars, the Hollywood Walk Of Fame stars!  As we walked we gabbed some more about the show, and then, right there on the street corner, Rick kissed me for the first time!  Well done Rick. That makes for 3 firsts for me tonight: eating at Roscoe's, seeing Phantom Of The Opera, and kissing Rick Buck.  Maybe we'll make it 4 and bring him back to meet the family this Saturday on the Final Date.  Wouldn't that be amazing...

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

{ TODD & AUBREY }

Tuesday night's date sponsored by: Friends of Nepal, a charity focused on the education and betterment of orphans in Nepal.


What better way to spend a Tuesday than at Huntington Beach's very own Surf City Nights Street Fair! Every Tuesday from 5-9pm, Main Street is transformed into an outdoor bizarre filled with farmer's market finds, live music, street performers, and people galore! Since Todd Andersen recently moved to Huntington and has yet to be introduced to the Street Fair, I thought it would be fun to show him around.

We had so much fun checking out all the local merchant exhibits, wandering through the booths, and even dancing to a song dedicated especially to us by our new friend George - my favorite part of the night! I don't know why, but I love cheesy stuff like that!

We finished up the night with my favorite tacos from Sharkeez, because who could pass up a Taco Tuesday deal? Then we cruised back to my place on our longboards. I insisted that at least one of my dates include some longboarding. I'm slightly obsessed! I've had my trusty board for 10 years now and bought the companion skateboard off my little brother a few years back for such a night as this. I don't know why but I think skateboarding together is kind of romantic!

I'm so glad Todd and I had a chance to spend some more time together on a second date. I think he's such a great guy and have wondered from time to time if he and I could ever be more than friends. I wonder if he feels the same...

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

{ DUSTIN & AUBREY }



I was sooo hoping Mr. Napkin Head would make an appearance sometime during tonight's date. And of course, Dusty did not disappoint! What a fun date for us to enjoy together. Both Dustin and I have been to Medieval Times before, but not since we were little kids, so I'm glad we both had the chance to go back and enjoy the dinner and show together. Dustin is always such a good sport and I knew he'd have fun with this one!

Anytime I'm with Dusty it's pure entertainment! I think that's why I asked him back for a second date. He always makes me laugh and smile. Just try hanging out with him and not crack a smile. You just can't. His happiness is contagious!

The dinner and show were fabulous. Not quite as realistic as I remember as a wee one, but entertaining nonetheless. We of course lucked out and ended up in the cheering section of my favorite night, the Black and White Knight (didn't he used to just be the Black Knight?) who for some reason just seems the coolest to me. Too bad he ended up being the first one "killed" in the competition. Lame! But it was still fun watching all the jousting, sword fighting, and fancy tricks.

I hope Dusty had as much fun on our date as I did. He seemed to enjoy the dinner, the tournament, and my company as well so I'm guessing he did! The one thing I'm still not sure of is whether or not he sees our relationship developing into more than the wonderful friendship we have. And quite frankly, I'm not sure I do either, but I still think he's quite the catch! Any girl to end up with Dusty would be eternally lucky! And I mean that with all my heart Dusty Buns. You heard me right. Dusty will absolutely be someone's Prince Charming one day! Go Dusty!

Monday, October 11, 2010

{ NICK & AUBREY }


Nick was the perfect Sunday date! For the LDS faith, Sunday is set aside as a day of rest, a time of reflection and worship, and hopefully a little relaxation. So for our Sunday date I planned a casual evening and invited Nick over to my home to share in a little family tradition of mine. Every Sunday for as long as I can remember my dad has made chocolate chip cookies. That's right, my dad's the baker in the family! In fact, most all of our family ward refers to his famous cookies as "Kenny Cookies." They are everyone's favorite! Mine included. (See recipe below).

It was a lot of fun making my family's cookies together and then delivering them to my sweet neighbor Ed, a widowed gentleman who likes to refer to himself as a "bachelor." He's one of my favorite people to talk to! He's always so full of stories and love for his family. I also made sure that he showed Nick and I a few of the things he's been working on.  Every morning as I head off to work I always see Ed in his garage working on some new wood-working project. This week he's making an owl habitat for his daughter who lives in horse country up north. Quite the impressive piece!

Nick and I finished up the night with a little surprise provided by my dear friend Meridith who cooked up a wonderful meal for us to enjoy! Nick and I thoroughly enjoyed the food, the conversation, and the perfectly still October night. I can't imagine this night going any better! Nick is such a relaxed guy and seems pretty easy to please, so I think he enjoyed our evening together as much as I did. It was probably one of the best Sunday dates I've been on.  If I were to pick Nick I could easily see us doing this often on our dates and just enjoying one another's company.  We shall see...

For those interested in making your own Kenny Cookies, here you go:


{ Special thanks to Meridith Sebra for her incredible culinary skills and Megan Homer for setting up the romantic ambiance of the night. And to Larry for filming, and Nick for not freaking out when he realized Larry would be filming! }

Sunday, October 10, 2010

{ LARRY & AUBREY }

{ A note to all the comments that have been coming at us left and right...Aubrey & Larry were advised that they may get wet and to wear a swimsuit Sailing. Aubrey is NOT wearing an immodest tube top, but rather a ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT. Thank you for voicing your concerns. We hope this clears up any and all confusion. Enjoy the show!!! }

Saturday night's date sponsored by: Southern California Riviera, coastal Orange County's site for great information on lodging, dining, activities, packages and more!


I've had some AMAZING dates these past few weeks, but for some reason, this one just takes the cake! It was absolutely perfect. Why so perfect? Well for one it was with one of the most eligible bachelors I know, Larry "The Cameraman". How could I not have a fabulous time? From the idyllic wind and weather for sailing, to the picturesque sunset, our conversation, dinner at The Chart House (my favorite south county restaurant), and the impromptu jump into the pool, it really was a night to remember!

Larry truly is one-of-a-kind. I love the way he's always waiting around each bend with a new surprise. I feel like I could spend an eternity just getting to know him and never be bored. One thing that is becoming more and more apparent to me is that Larry and I have more than just a million things in common, we've decided that I'm the girl version of Larry and he's the boy version of me. Basically all I'm saying is that we think the same, act the same, have all the same life experiences, share the same likes/dislikes, and the list goes on and on.

After tonight I was quite convinced that even if a romance doesn't ensue from our dating, we will ALWAYS be friends. I absolutely adore Larry and his infectious laugh, contagious smile, and those super cute freckles. What can I say? I'm a sucker for freckles. Larry is truly one of the most genuine, lovable guys I have ever had the privilege of "dating." If I choose him to meet my parents I know they would absolutely adore him just as much as I do...

{ Thank you to Justin for producing this fabulous video - Check him out at www.xhdproductions.com for your own masterpiece! }

Saturday, October 9, 2010

{ DANE & AUBREY }

Friday night's date was sponsored by Team Twilight, the largest Twilight source for news, information and interaction online.



What a way to start off the first of these 2nd dates! Crowd favorite, Dane Gibson and I spent an incredible night at The CityWalk in Hollywood. Seeing him again brought back all the excitement and memories of our first date out on the Newport Harbor and up in the hot air balloon. I could only hope that the events of the night would somehow come close to his perfectly executed first date.

We started out Date #2 at iFly Hollywood, a simulated sky dive machine where you experience pure weightlessness to the extreme. I'm actually quite afraid of heights so just thinking about it gave me butterflies. Then again those butterflies could have been coming from somewhere else. Wink. Wink.

The flight was incredible!  Sharing this first experience together was more fun than I could have ever hoped for.  It might have even changed my mind about a real sky dive someday.  So maybe Dane brings out the risk-taker in me!  Is that really a bad thing?

Dane was such a supportive date throughout the entire adventure and made sure that I enjoyed every moment of our experience together. That's the one thing I admire most about Dane. He is 100% about me. All. The. Time. I wonder if he'll ever tire of that? I know I never would.

We finished up the night with dinner at Bucca Di Beppo and hammed it up a little with our own version of Lady & The Tramp. I love that he is open to having fun and doesn't really care what anyone else will think. It's one of his most redeeming qualities.

I would be a lucky girl to end up with a great guy like Dane. So will he be the lucky bachelor to win my heart? Just seven more dates and we will all find out...

{ Top 8 Revealed }

After the long awaited on-the-edge-of-your-seats anticipation Aubrey has narrowed down her Top 7 Bachelors.  The community of viewers has also spoken and we have an 8th Bachelor!  We hope you will enjoy following these second dates!  Good luck to the 8 following men (in no particular order.)  You are days away from having the beautiful Aubrey Messick all to yourself...

1. Dane Gibson
2. Rick Buck
3. Dustin Monroe
4. Matt Laidlaw
5. Jason Oliver
6. Todd Andersen
7. Nick Haycock
8. Larry - THE WILD CARD

Friday, October 8, 2010

{ Mid-Season Mocktail Party }

We danced, we mingled, we voted.  We had an unforgettable night with each Bachelor that could make an appearance, our lovely Aubrey Messick, and many wonderful friends.  Enjoy our highlight reel and stay tuned until the polls close tonight when we reveal the Top 8.  Round 2 will begin immediately and will include a series of second dates that Aubrey and the staff at The Mormon Bachelorette have meticulously planned and paid for.  We hope you have enjoyed the adventure so far - it is about to get even better:)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

{ LET THE VOTING BEGIN!!! }

22 Dates ... 22 Bachelors ... 22 Men trying to win Aubrey's heart... Please enjoy this season recap so you can relive the magic of Aubrey's journey of love.  Over the next 24 hours, cast a vote to see your favorite Bachelor enjoy Date #2 with Miss Messick...

{ DATE #22: Andrew Loper }


Way to go Andrew Loper! I just spent the entire morning and afternoon doing everything I love to do: yoga, eating delicious food, getting pampered at a spa, and doing it all in the company of an incredible guy. Seriously, just enjoyed the date I needed to finish off these 22 first dates!

Andrew drove in from Modesto yesterday, leaving behind his landscape business to take me on this awesome date. The first thing he did right was show up in his Audi A3, my favorite car on the steets right now. I'm just a sucker for a sexy, sporty car. For a few months I thought about trading in the Benz for one, but alas, the thought of a car payment far outweighs the joy of owning a new vehicle. But it was fun to be carted around all day in his Audi and envision what it could have been like.

First stop was CorePower Yoga in Huntington Beach. I absolutely love yoga and love CorePower (party because my roommate is an instructor there) so it was nice to start off the morning with a good sweat. And boy did we sweat. He took me to a heated C2 class and we got quite the workout! If you want a good cardio experience, make sure to go to Aileen's Yoga/Pilates class. Girl knows what she's doing!

We obviously couldn't finish the rest of the date looking like sweaty messes so after yoga we headed back to my place for a quick shower and wardrobe change and got back on the town again for some lunch. The original plan was to stop at the market and pick up some stuff to make food at home, but I decided that my kitchen was too messy to be seen and opted for dining out. Andrew immediately suggested Sugar Shack on Main Street which I was excited about because in all the time I've lived here in Huntington, I've still never been to this local dive. The food was great, conversation was nice, and before we knew it, it was time for our spa appointments at the nearby Hyatt Hotel.

That's right! He treated me to a mani/pedi while he sat beside me and got a pedi too. Major points right there! How many 37 year old men do you know that are comfortable enough with themselves to not only take a first date to get a pedicure, but then join her yourself! Kudos to you Andrew.

What a great date! I feel energized, alive, and surprisingly relaxed, given the night I have ahead of me in choosing 7 guys to go forward into the 2nd dates. I had such a fabulous time and felt like a queen being treated to all my favorite things. I am confident that should I ask him to accompany me on a second date, he would continue to show me the same respect and thoughtfulness he did all throughout today.

{ DATE #21: Larry }


As strange as this might sound, tonight I kind of felt like Meg Ryan at the end of that movie You've Got Mail when she's standing in the park and up walks Tom Hanks' character, shoulders shrugged and that cute grin on his face. Then suddenly she realizes that he's NY152 and with all the sincerity of heart says "I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly." That's sort of how I felt tonight when I opened the door to find Date #21, Larry.

In case you hadn't noticed from some of the previous posts, Larry has been following me around on quite a few of my dates lately as our cameraman. And you know, it's funny because before this whole TMB thing started, Larry and I had never met (which is weird because we're in the same ward.) But, over the last couple of weeks I've had the chance to observe and get to know him from a distance, and realized that we actually have a lot in common.

From day one of filming I've always thought he was a cute guy and a GREAT dresser (you should see what he wore to the priesthood session of conference.) Yah, I was looking! But honestly, I think I noticed a connection developing between us when I realized how similar we are and the many things we share in common. And Larry said the same about me! How cute is that? So needless to say, I was really happy to be on a date with Larry the cameraman tonight.

For our first date he took me bowling which I'm usually not really good at (last time I think I bowled a 54...is that right girls?) but this time I almost broke 100. That's super good for me! Of course Larry beat me, even with all his fancy tricks he tried, which oddly enough, racked up some major points for us. I guess goofing off really can pay off.

As we finished up bowling and drove to dinner at Pho 54 we continued the conversation which definitely came naturally. It's funny because while we've spent a lot of time together, we never really sat down and talked about the basics. Some things about Larry: he's a young one at 24 (I always thought he was much older...so mature!), grew up in Dallas, served a mission to Chile where he lost his southern drawl, moved to Provo to attend UVSC, and is currently on a television show called Fact or Faked.  Outside of work he loves to write. It's funny because he said at night when his mind won't stop racing he'll grab a notepad and just jot down whatever comes to him.

On our way back to my place he showed me tons of pocketbooks that he had sitting in his car just full of garb. I really liked that whenever he has an impression, he writes it down: thoughts, quotes, poetry, short stories, whatever. He's even working on a screenplay which I thought was so cool because for years I've had the most amazing idea in my head for a movie that I just need to get down on paper and I think Larry will be my muse to finally get it going!

After a delicious Pho dinner, Larry had a little surprise for me! We stopped at a nearby park on the way home and walked out into the middle of a big grassy field and he showed me how to send off a sky lantern. They are seriously the neatest things. You just light this little disc underneath them on fire and wait for the paper to inflate with carbon dioxide and heat, and eventually it'll take off and float away. I told Larry that years ago when I first heard of them I thought it would be cool to have the guests at my wedding float them away as we exit the reception. Now that I've actually done one though, it might've just been cooler in concept. They're a little fickle, but fun!

So the date was great! I'm really glad I had the chance to spend some time with Larry in front of the camera (that just sounds so backwards) and get to know each other a little better. He's a complete gentleman, like I said he's really mature for his age, and I think we both had a fantastic night together. I kind of hope there's a second date coming up...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

{ DATE #20: Dallin Large }


Last night was Date #20 with Dallin Large, and today he turns 29! Happy Birthday Dallin! What a sweetheart for spending his birthday eve with me! Not only did he spend the evening reminding me what it felt like to be treated like a lady, but he made me feel special all night through word and deed. This evening as I opened the door I was greeted with a beautiful bouquet of white tulips (my favorite) and treated to Thai Food (also my favorite) at one of my favorite restaurants, Silk Thai Cuisine. Already the date was off to a great start!

As we dined together I spent the time finding out all I could about Dallin. He grew up in Santa Clarita, CA but currently resides in Santa Monica where he owns his own business called Cover Care, which services, repairs, cleans, and maintains electronic pool covers. Pretty fancy, right? Since I'm an entrepreneur myself I found it fascinating to learn all I could about how his business got started, how he markets himself, and the challenges of being your own boss. I found it all so interesting, but the really good stuff came out when I learned more about his client list. Let's just say this guy's hung out in the backyard of a few A-List celebrities like Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, and Tom Cruise. And hey Tom, if you're reading this (which you obviously are!) I hear you still owe my date some money. Unacceptable!

Dinner was amazing! Kind of goes without saying though. I'm in love with Thai Food! Dallin and I shared some pad thai and pineapple curry and it was DELICIOUS! That's all I have to say about that. The dinner conversation was fun. Now that I'm so far into this dating process the guys usually want to know things like "What's been the best date so far?" and "What's been the most awkward moment?" And then of course I like to turn the questions around on the guys and fish for a few awkward dating stories from their past. Turns out Dallin and I share a similar awkward moment. He's ALSO run into a date while on a date...kinda like what happened with Nick and Ryan. That's always awesome!

After dinner we drove back to my place for an activity that Dallin had planned for the remainder of the evening. Well, I probably shouldn't say he planned it. He actually had something else really fantastic planned but unfortunately the inclement weather forced us indoors. But I feel like you should all know his creative origin plan anyway. We were going to use fabrics and ribbons and sewing machines to create our own kites and then fly them down at the beach. What a fun idea, right? But not to worry, his back up plan was just as creative and might've been one of the most fun stay-at-home dates yet. We ended up playing our own version of NBC's "Minute To Win It."

Some of you may already know this about Dallin, but just over a month ago Dallin posted a video on youtube of him successfully completing the game HIGH ROLLER from Minute To Win It (view it HERE) and was contacted by NBC to come in for an audition. So if we're lucky, we might get to watch Date #20, Dallin Large, compete for a shot at 1 million dollars. How cool is that?

Now back to the date! Our own home version of Minute To Win It was so fun! And not to brag or anything, but I totally beat him fair and square at all three challenges. Maybe NBC ought to be giving ME a call. No offense Dallin! Honestly, you're a far better HIGH ROLLER than I could ever be. Maybe if there's a Date #2 you could help me work on my submission video? Maybe even a couple's edition? You never know. Could be fun...

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

{ DATE #19: Joe Abrams }


I've had a really difficult time reading through a lot of the comments that have been coming in with regards to Date #19 with Joe Abrams, and I feel it necessary to re-write this post.

First, may I offer my sincerest apologies for all of the misunderstandings that resulted from my poor write-up of this date.  I have to admit, I did not do a very good job of explaining why I was so upset and felt disrespected by the date.  So for the record, let's just try this again....

While in the middle of my fun date (yes, I think it could have been a very fun and cute date had it been executed with the proper intentions), something happened to upset me.  While in the middle of our Toys R Us run, I asked Joe why he decided to take me out on a date.  With a little hesitation, he admitted that he took me on the date as a joke.  A way to ridicule The Mormon Bachelorette.  Of course I had the same immediate reaction that many of you would have.  I was upset.  I explained that I was serious about my endeavor to find a great guy and that it hurt my feelings that he would try to make a mockery of me and make me feel stupid, which he admitted.

So please understand why I felt the need to forgive him for hurting my feelings (maybe even just my ego) and not having fun on this date.  I am so grateful to Joe for his sincere apology and he really went to a great effort to change his mind about this date.  So Joe, I apologize if I portrayed you in a poor light.  You certainly deserve to be treated as the wonderful person I know you are and I hope we can put everything behind us...