A rose so sweet: Bethlehem's Josh Young makes the cut on 'The 'Bachelorette'

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — We're following #TeamJosh all the way.

• Bethlehem's Josh Young made his TV debut on "The Bachelorette" on Monday night
• On the ABC dating show, Charity Lawson, a family therapist from Georgia, looks for love
• Young is one the contestants hoping to win her heart
  

Season 20 of the "Bachelorette" aired on ABC Monday night with its star Charity Lawson meeting and choosing from 25 eligible suitors.
If we're being completely honest, we tuned in for just one of the contestants — Bethlehem's Josh Young, an alum of Freedom High School and all around great guy.

Here's a recap of the show:

Courtesy of ABC

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Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Two thumbs up

Fans will recognize Charity, a family therapist from Georgia, who appeared on season 20 of "The Bachelor" with Zach Shallcross.

While she didn't land the final rose then, she quickly became a fan favorite within Bachelor Nation.

And as it seems, of Josh's as well.

Viewers' first glimpse of Josh came about 15 minutes into Monday night's show. The 28-year old Harvard grad student seemed smitten by Charity's winning smile and personality.

"I believe my heart is full of warmth....and it will be a promise to protect, to honor and to cherish you," he said through a grin, which she approved with two thumbs up.

Flipping out for love

Throughout the evening, Charity met 24 other single men — ranging from 24 to 33 years old — with job titles like pro wrestler, software engineer, yacht captain and commercial diver.

Then there was Chris, the 27-year-old world record jumper who began doing backflips upon seeing Charity for the first time.

In a made-for-TV moment later in the night, Chris and another contestant, Caleb, a professional wrestler, demonstrated who could flip the highest. Caleb then picked up Josh in a wrestling move in an attempt to flex his muscles.

Firefighter Aaron S., 33, summed it up best: "It is a full display of mating season here on animal planet. The male suitors are doing their best to woo the only female in the home."

In other swoonworthy moments: Tennis pro Joey, 28, gave Charity "butterflies" and attorney James, also 28, presented her with a letter from his parents, along with apple cider and donuts from their family farm in Indiana (aww!).

But nothing could top Xaxier, 27, aka the first bachelor who went in for the smooch — one of several kisses between Charity and the men on premiere night.

Weeding out the 'bad apples'

During the cocktail reception, Nehemiah, Charity's brother, played a bartender and wore a disguise to identify and weed out the "bad apples.” He couldn't help but say what some of us were thinking: men are dogs!

His scowl when Brayden, 24, bragged about kissing his sister — ouch. "Braden has a huge ego," Nehemiah said.

Josh, who played football and wrestled at Freedom and in college, was on to the disguise, however.

"Do I know you?" he asked Charity's brother. "Did you wrestle in college?"

A few scenes later, Nehemian revealed himself to the bunch — much to Josh's delight and Brayden's "oops" facial expression.

“I knew I recognized you,” Josh exclaimed through laughter.

In private, Charity and her big brother spoke about the guys (he seemed to approve of Aaron S. and Aaron B, a 29-year-old software salesman) and Brayden's loose lips.

Brayden apologized and told her, "I was giddy. I wasn't in a place trying to brag."

Despite her brother's intel, Charity admired Brayden's overconfidence and give him the "first impression" rose.

Josh is here to stay — for now

Some of the men didn't make it past date one.

But whew: Josh, who describes himself as a faith-based family man, got one of the last two roses Charity handed out. The final one went to single dad Spencer, who was on the verge of tears.

In true "Bachelorette" fashion, Charity had to bid adieu to a handful of sour-looking contestants who didn't make the cut.

With less men to choose from, there's more competition — and seemingly from Episode 2’s teaser, more tears and betrayals.

Next week, Charity, Josh and other contestants leave the mansion to go on some dates. Will they make a stop in the Bethlehem area to visit the Young family?

Stay tuned, Bachelor Nation!

The "Bachelorette" airs 9 p.m. Mondays.

Follow along as Arts & Culture reporter Micaela Hoodrecaps Josh's adventures after each show.