After Joan Vassos spent her birthday away from Chock Chapple, she reunited with her fiancé in New York City. The Golden Bachelorette star documented their trip on Instagram and revealed the special connection she felt to her first husband during the getaway.
Vassos’ husband, John Vassos, died from pancreatic cancer on January 18, 2021, and her time with Chapple in NYC fell on the fourth anniversary of his passing. The couple saw Broadway’s Left on Tenth and then got to meet cast members Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Peter Francis James, and Kate MacCluggage afterward.
“The story really hit home,” Vassos admitted. “Today is the 4th anniversary of John’s passing and these talented actors captured the feelings I had the days and years after that terrible day. It was a beautiful story about allowing yourself to fall in love again after loss in your golden years. There is always a light in the end and theirs were bright as we all cheered for them as they took their bows! Thank you to the cast and team at Left on Tenth for a night we’ll never forget!”
Vassos and Chapple were in New York looking for an apartment, as they plan to spend time together in the Big Apple. With Chapple living in Kansas and Vassos residing in Maryland, the couple said they plan on using their eventual place in NYC as a getaway spot. However, they’re continuing to keep their relationship long-distance, with a commitment to visiting each other whenever possible.
There’s no rush to walk down the aisle, though. While Chapple recently teased a possible wedding at the end of 2025 or in 2026, Vassos said she’s not quite ready to start planning the affair just yet.
“There will be a wedding,” she said in a recent interview with P.O.W.E.R. magazine. “Chock is my man and I am his woman. There is no question that this is a done deal! But, planning a wedding after this very busy year sounds a little overwhelming to me right now. I really just want to be a regular couple because we haven’t had much time to do that. I want to go out to dinner with friends, go to parties, travel a little, or even just sit at home, make dinner, and watch Netflix without having to worry about a huge event to plan.”
