​The second season of “The Golden Bachelor” ended with an unexpected twist for Mel Owens after he chose Peg Munson.

​Instead of getting down on one knee and proposing, Owens gave Munson a ring and explained that it “represents our commitment to love, to give time to figure out together what our future holds.”

As the world watched their love story unfold for weeks, the couple spent ample amounts of alone time together cooking, catching up on shows, watching sports games and other ordinary experiences to deepen their connection.

“In the last three months, they put us in a house together, and we’re sequestered,” Munson tells Variety. “It was fun and nice to communicate and do those daily activities when you’re out there as a normal couple.”

​Despite choosing each other in the end, Owens’ journey to finding his partner hit a major turning point near the end.

At the top of Wednesday’s finale, it was revealed that Cindy Culler, one of the final two contestants, decided to exit the show after realizing she wasn’t on the same page about their relationship. With an eagerness to marry, Culler’s expectation was to finish with a proposal whereas Owens’ priority was to “find a partner” during his journey on the show.​

“My message was very clear from the onset,” Owens explains. “I wasn’t going to get married off the island like she wanted. You got to be in like, then in love and then comes the marriage.​ Also, there’s another person that’s involved, and she goes, ‘Let’s put that person aside.’ Well, you can’t do it because that is the show. That’s how it plays out. That’s the journey. There was no miscommunication by me. I was telling her straight up what was going to happen. She ejected, and that’s her right to do that, which is fine. It was ironic that she said she’s in love, then she’s not and walks out.”​

Munson appeared alarmed at Culler’s abrupt departure, which caused her to share her concerns about not knowing where Owens’ stood. After having one-on-one time with him during “Fantasy Suites,” her worries simmered.​

“I had a lot of questions,” Munson says about going into “Fantasy Suites.” “I was able to spend that time with him and ask those deep questions. As we went through this journey, we were on the same page about committing to and continuing this love story. Let’s grow that friendship number one, and then love is a by product of that.”​

Now that their relationship is public, the couple says that the main priority is continuing to write their love story – but on their own terms.​

“We’re going to continue to get to know one another,” Owens says. “This is our official first day out. Even though we’ve been together probably for a few months, on and off over the last few weeks, it’s an ongoing process. I love being around her. She’s funny, has a great personality, a loving mother, very giving and treats me well. I’m having the time of my life.”