What's up, a bachelor happy hour listeners. It's good to be back with you all this week. I miss you last week, but I'm so excited for this time around the show because we

have so much to go over. We do, especially you. I'm really happy that you're back with me today. I miss you last week, but I'm so excited because today's all about you and Thomas and celebrating your engagement and one of the greatest, I think plot twists or comebacks, whatever it is that bachelor nation has ever experienced.

Oh, I love that. Yeah, I'm excited. I mean, this is the first time that Thomas and I will be talking about our engagement. Get the exclusive here people. So it's going to be a fun time. Thomas is just upstairs now. So we'll bring him down shortly. He'll be all set to join us and give you all of the details from his side of when I popped the question for him. But before that, Michelle, obviously I miss you last week, but I'm so proud of you for taking over the podcast and

for handling it all on your own. I had so much faith in you, but you had a big, big announcement and obviously that was that you were stepping away from teaching and I can understand or I can, you know, kind of put myself in your shoes. Obviously I have never been a teacher, but I'm sure that was not an easy decision to come to. So right now this week, you know, it's been seven days since you have announced that you're leaving the classroom. How are you feeling? Do you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders?

Where are you at right now? Yeah, last week, last week was a really emotional week. I know that for me, it was a decision that I knew that I had to make. But, but I'm also still kind of adjusting being into the role that I am right now is because regardless with media attention with others, you know, that that would be a really hard decision for me because I am so passionate about teaching.

And so then having to make that decision and then having to make that decision publicly, it was, it was a lot of pressure and I do feel, you know, to some extent, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because I was able to share.

But since every time I think I post someone's like, are you, are you still teaching? Are you going to be still teaching? So, you know, it was that thing that everyone kind of was just constantly wondering and I, and I finally was able to address it.

But I also do feel like the hardest part is probably yet to come and that will be, you know, on that last day of school when I truly am feeling those emotions of putting it down, you know, it's not that anticipation anymore.

It's me leaving my classroom, you know, cleaning out the classroom at the end of the school year, it kind of has a little bit heavier emotions this year because I know that I won't be stepping back in that classroom the following school year.

So I've been really honestly grateful for the response and the support because that has helped me and I know that I will continue to give that support and from my family, from my friends, just from listeners, so many people have reached out to me and has just really made me feel like supported and really have taken away from like that teacher guilt.

But yeah, June 8th, June 8th is going to be a heavy day is the day. Well, and I have to say I mean I've read the Instagram comments. I know how much support you are receiving, but just for me personally coming from a family of teachers, my grandfather was an elementary school teacher.

My mom was for decades now my sister is and I've talked with them and they support you so much. I mean, my mom's staying with me and she's like, make sure you give us all a virtual hug and tell her how much I understand this difficult decision and she is rallying behind you.

She sends you her love and I'm sure so many other teachers out there can relate. I mean, and for you, it's not like you're leaving a typical office job nine to five where like when you're teaching you get invested not only in

this is your career, but within every student that you see throughout the years and their families and you form this special bond, there's so much more that goes into it.

And so I know you and how much you think through everything is you are one of the smartest women ever. And so this definitely was not taking lightly. I'm sure you put every thought behind every you know potential decision you've made.

Whatever you decide after this, we are here for you to support you and just remember life is so fluid. I mean, you could take a break for your two or longer and eventually want to come back.

And any classroom would be so damn lucky to have you and you're just incredible. And so, you know, whatever you do, you will succeed. But the classroom will on for always take you back.

Yes, no, thank you. And it's I mean, I feel like everybody knows a teacher and just the work that they do is completely amazing. And I mean, I said this last week, just I I fully support other teachers out there, whether they're choosing to come back to the classroom or they're choosing to not come back to the classroom, you know.

But it's been a whirlwind and I think I'm going to I don't I won't go through like an identity crisis, but like I think it's going to be a little uneasy for me for a little bit, but then I'll just

But enough about me because I know, but like I have so many burning questions, I feel like I can't be patient anymore. I'm sure listeners feel the exact same way. And this week is all about you because you are also now a future bride. And I feel like it's time to get Thomas in here.

Let's bring in Tommy to step on the man of the hour. My future husband. What's up, why future wife? What's up, Michelle?

That's weird to say. I was going to say, has it sunk in yet?

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