In TV's The Bachelor: London Calling, the first international Bachelor, Matt Grant, a 27-year-old global financier from London, England, finds true love with a young American actress, Shayne Lamas from Toluka Lake, California. Shayne played Emily in the daytime soap General Hospital and is the daughter of actor Lorenzo Lamas, probably best known as Vince in the 1990's TV show Renegade.

I watched the very first episode out of curiosity about Matt, and I was very impressed with him. I missed a few episodes, then got hooked a few episode in. Unlike some past Bachelors I've seen, I always felt that Matt showed great respect toward all the women. Sure there was a lot of affection shown, but you could tell it was genuine, and it seemed obvious, especially at the end, that he was truly in this for love.

My impression of Shayne was probably similar to many. When we first see her, she comes across as a pampered princess and I wondered if maybe she was a 'daddy's girl', which I felt could cause some problems for Matt. But the more I saw of her, the more I actually started to like her. Yes, she's the bleach blond little starlet, but that girl has a lot more depth than any of us probably gave her credit for in the beginning. I am glad that my impression changed.

One of the scenes that made me rethink her character and motive was the time she was bluntly honest early on and said she was high maintenance. It was actually quite a charming scene. I was also impressed with how she tried to step between two of the other women who were in the midst of a heated debate. That made me realize she's a lot more caring than she may first appear. Episode after episode, she continued to impress me as a young woman who has experienced more than most 22-year-olds and was ready to settle down.

I'm a mother of a beautiful daughter who is almost 18, not much younger than Shayne, and I think too often we judge people based on their appearance. If they're too attractive, they must be vain. Or spoiled. Or a brat. I think Shayne probably got a bad rap because she's beautiful, fashionable and her life has been one of sun, shopping and movie stars. We can't blame her for that. What I like most about her is her spunk and her genuine affection for her own family and for Matt, which she showed early on. And this girl has brains too; she's NOT a bubbleheaded blond.

I have watched other Bachelor shows in the past--not all, but some. I saw last season's huge disappointment with Brad and DeAnna Pappas. Ironically, DeAnna was on the same front page of The Times-Herald (her hometown newspaper in Newnan, Georgia) as I was when I was involved with the Alliance for Children's Enrichment and a Christmas book drive for teens. DeAnna became one of my MySpace friends, but I notice that there is now only a fan club. I believe she can't discuss the show because she is going to be in the upcoming season of The Bachelorette. All the best and good luck, DeAnna! I hope you find the man of your dreams.

In the past I always seem to root for the underdog who is never chosen in the end. I began cheering Shayne on in the past 5 or so episodes, and when tonight's episode started, I swore that if he didn't pick her, I'd never watch The Bachelor again. :)

Fact is, I loved the romance. Shayne grew on me quickly, and I know she would have been devastated if she hadn't been the one Matt went through life with. I hope that one day I see my daughter glow the way Shayne did. I pray that my daughter will find the love of her life and a man who will treat her the way Matt did Shayne.

Matt, Shayne, I wish you all the very best in life. You both deserve to find love, experience it and keep it. As a wife of nearly 22 years, I can tell you that Shayne knows exactly what marriage needs and takes. As she said, it takes work. It takes dedication, commitment, recommitment and above all, love.

Although I do feel sorry for Chelsea, Shayne's competition, I think this was the most romantic Final Rose show, and certainly the purest, sweetest display of love and adoration I've seen on this series. Thank you to The Bachelor: London Calling for an enjoyable season.