Marisia gets the final rose … and Marc’s heart!

Her journey started with 22 other women who competed for one man’s heart, and in the end, she not only received the final rose, but also the bachelor, Marc Buckner’s heart.

In the final episode, which aired on Thursday evening, 28 May, Marc faced his final two beauties, but he could only give the final rose and a gorgeous promise ring to one.

The 25-year-old Marisia van Wyk clearly stole his heart as he put the pear-shape diamond ring on her finger (not that finger), asking her if she would please continue building on their relationship with him. During the last few minutes of the finale, viewers were on the edge of their seats to learn whether Marc and Marisia were still together, seeing that the finale was filmed almost six months ago, in December 2019.

With a big sigh of relief, viewers witnessed the two lovebirds at home, Marc’s home, since they decided to move in together for the duration of the lockdown.

Comments flooded M-Net’s Facebook page, with viewers voicing their happiness about the couple who, in a homemade video, looked incredibly happy and in love.

“Both are glowing! Congratulations. You made the right choice,” Amanda Schutte commented.

“After watching the final to the end, I have to admit, I was wrong and Mark and Marisia seem very comfortable, happy and good together! I wish them all the best for a long, happy future together,” Rosalind Goosen said.

Watch video here:

Marisia recalled the last moments before the last ceremony where Marc had to make his decision and choose between her and Bridget, and she said, “I didn’t know what to expect because there was so much going on. I tried to focus on my relationship with Marc, but it was difficult especially since I had no idea what his relationship with Bridget was like. It was difficult, because I also had to prepare myself for the chance that I might not be his choice, as I believe dealing with rejection is tough.

I promised myself that, should I not be the one, I would definitely say goodbye.”

But, she said, the moment she opened the door and saw him waiting for her, she forgot about everything else and could only focus on the present moment.

“Although it is only natural and healthy to consider all options, I knew that I wanted to get to know Marc better. When he said he wanted our journey to continue before slipping the ring on my finger, I was overjoyed, and that was the moment I knew that our journey together will be something special,” she gushed.

She added that they decided to move in together just before lockdown and described their journey so far as an exciting one. She concluded by sharing her feelings about her The Bachelor experience, and specifically the last episode.

“I think back and for me, this whole journey was such a roller coaster, but in the end I found so much stability. You were never sure of where you stood with Marc, but when Marc and I said we wanted to know each other better, it opened up my heart completely. I think we’ve grown as individuals but also together ever since, and for me that’s such an important thing; not only growing together but also encouraging each other to grow as individuals.

And for me, that is one of the biggest things and that’s why I really hold onto this relationship. I really want this and I want to fight for it. I would go to the end of the world for this to work out because I do feel like my heart is really here and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

What did Marc have to say about not being South Africa’s bachelor anymore? “I am pleased to no longer be South Africa’s most eligible bachelor and I am looking forward to the journey ahead and just experiencing life – just the two of us.

There’s a lot to happen, but I’m very happy with how we are, together.”