When Bachelor in Paradise season 6 star Dean Unglert proposed to Caelynn Miller-Keyes, he honored his late mother in a very special way. Dean's beloved mother, Debbie, died on October 24, 2006, of breast cancer. She was first diagnosed when Dean was 9 years old, and later relapsed when he was 14. She ed away shortly after. Dean opened up to Rachel Lindsay about how the tragedy affected his life when he appeared on her season of The Bachelorette. He said that from the ages of 15 to 18, he was left alone a lot because his father was not around very much. Dean later met Caelynn on Bachelor in Paradise in 2019, and they have been together ever since. They got engaged on the Nā Pali Coast, Kauai Island, Hawaii.
In an Instagram post, his engagement to Caelynn, which documented the events that led up to the big moment, including putting the ring in his backpack as the couple prepared for a hike. He included the song "Don't Give Up On Me" by Zach Bryan. He wrote, "on the most beautiful beach in the world i got to ask the most beautiful girl in the world if she’d let me be her husband (she said yes)." He continued that it has been 16 years since he lost his mom. He said, "i always thought it’d get easier as time wore on but it hasn’t. something about being an adult just makes me wish she was here even more. every year around this time i get emotional and depressed, i miss her more now than i ever have before."
Dean Unglert Is Looking Forward To His Future With Caelynn Miller-Keyes
Although Bachelor in Paradise star Dean struggles with the loss of his mother, he shared that his engagement to Caelynn has brought some light to the darkness because he proposed on the anniversary of his mother's death. He said, "i’m so happy to now have this date as a happy memory as well. from now on i’ll be able to find joy in something this time of year, be excited for the future rather than sad about the past, and celebrate love with the woman who may one day be a mother to children of our own." In July, Dean and Caelynn made a trip to Hawaii to visit the place where he and his family had scattered his mom's ashes.
After Bachelor in Paradise, Dean was notorious for saying that he did not need to be officially married to Caelynn to prove his love for her. It seemed as though he might never propose. However, his proposal was a beautiful moment that not only brought him and Caelynn closer together, but also helped him to heal a bit from the pain of losing his mother. In an Instagram post captioned, "under promise. over deliver. 10.24.22," Dean shared a series of photographs of himself down on one knee proposing to Caelynn. Now that Dean has revealed the meaning behind the date, the engagement is even more special.
Dean and Caelynn are one of the sweetest love stories to come out of Bachelor in Paradise. Dean really came through with the proposal to Caelynn after years of saying that he did not even want to get married. He created a meaningful moment that included his mother in the most beautiful way. As they look toward a future with marriage and children, Dean and Caelynn are wished all the best for a lifetime full of good health, happiness, and everlasting love.
Bachelor in Paradise airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Source: Dean Unglert/Instagram, Dean Unglert/Instagram