The “Bachelor'”s Jason Mesnick and Molly Mesnick Have an 'Easy Answer' As to Why Their Reality TV Romance Beat the Odds (Exclusive)

The two say they're 'so far removed' from their Bachelor days they hardly think about it — except when their daughter "cringes" when they get asked for photos!

NEED TO KNOW

• Jason and Molly Mesnick met on the Bachelor and wed in a televised ceremony in Feb. 2010
• The two say one of the secrets to making it work was going back to their normal lives right away
• They also say their kids have had funny reactions to being able to watch their love story on TV

Reality TV relationships aren't always known for going the distance, with a lot of showmances often ending in contentious breakups that play out on social media for all to see.

However, some reality TV stars have successfully found their soulmates on dating shows, competition shows, and even unscripted series, and created relationships that have gone the distance. For PEOPLE's 2026 Love Week, we chatted with the couples who have managed to make it work, defying the pitfalls that sometimes come with launching your love story on national television.

Jason and Molly Mesnick had instant chemistry on season 14 of ABC's The Bachelor, and while their road to forever had a slight detour (in what then-host Chris Harrison recently said was the most dramatic moment ever on the show), the two will celebrate 16 years of marriage on Feb. 27. The two are parents to Ty (Mesnick's son from a previous marriage, who appeared on the show) and Riley, and work in real estate in the Seattle area. They answered PEOPLE's questions via email about the secret to lasting love in spite of an unconventional start.

Do you remember your first reaction to seeing each other?

High nerves from both of us! Our first meeting was obviously unconventional. We had additional factors in our feelings: lights, cameras, and about 100 people from production watching!

Molly: I do remember thinking that Jason was so much more handsome than I ever thought!

Jason: What I remember most is Molly mentioned she's a golfer. I knew they would cast a golfer, since I used to work in the industry, so I knew at that moment she was "the token golfer"!

What is the best and worst part about meeting on reality TV?

The best is the start of our relationship was full of incredible adventures! More than you'd ever get in "real life". We travelled, went bungee jumping — it was all full of fun!

The worst is you don't really get to know each other that well. This is because you don't spend a lot of time together. When you do, you're forced to have specific conversations versus learning the basics. So we like to say that we really didn't start dating until after the show and cameras were away!

Why do you think your relationship beat the odds?

This is an easy answer: We left the Hollywood life. We went straight back to our regular jobs and lived a normal life. We truly weren't in it for fame or fortune, and those are the things that ultimately get in between these Bachelor couples. We get it — it's an enticing world, but it wasn't for us!

Do you have one piece of advice for someone trying to find love on TV?

Just be yourself. Don't focus on trying to be what you think they want. 

What's one onscreen moment you love — or hate! — to watch?

We do not go back and watch our season! No, thank you! We have rewatched our wedding once before, but that was years ago. We're so far removed from that time in our life, we honestly don't ever think about it anymore!

How do you talk to your kids about "how we met"?

Ty was a part of the show, so he obviously knows all about it. He did watch our season a few years back with a few of his friends. He just thought it was funny!

Riley obviously knows we met on TV too. We still have people ask for photos and she'll be with us when that happens and she cringes, ha! She's at that age where her parents aren't that cool to her. I don't know if she'll ever watch our season…and we hope she doesn't, but it's up to her!

Read the full article here