'Bachelorette' shocker: Columbus, GA native stuns with first ...

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About the WriterChelsea Madden writes for The Telegraph's service journalism team. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth.

“Tonight, another love story begins,” host Jesse Palmer said in the season 20 opening scene of “The Bachelorette.”

And this love story features someone very familiar.

She first began her journey on season 27 of “The Bachelor” with Zach Shallcross, but after being dumped before fantasy suites, she is back and ready for love on her own journey.

Charity Lawson, a Columbus, GA native, is the newest “Bachelorette.” Here are the 25 men vying for her heart.

This time, she will be in control as 25 men vie for her heart.

If you don’t know me, I’m Chelsea Madden, a reporter with The Telegraph and Ledger-Enquirer, and I am a huge fan of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.”

Just like the last season of “The Bachelor,” I will be following this season of “The Bachelorette” and posting a recap of all the drama and love unfolding on the show each week.

However, this season of the show is especially exciting and special because it features one of our very own.

That’s right, a Georgia Peach. Charity Lawson, 27, born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, is America’s newest Bachelorette.

Columbus in the spotlight

Charity gets right to it in her hometown of Columbus, where she introduces herself to a few fans, hops across the river’s rocks and reminisces on the riverwalk.

“There’s no manual for being ‘The Bachelorette.’ We’re just being Charity and that’s all I can be,” she said.

She busts a move on the streets of Columbus, showing her goofy, fun-loving nature, but gets heartfelt as she is sitting beside the river, waves rolling past.

She spoke about her family, a past relationship which ended because of infidelity and talked about her “bittersweet” relationship with Zach on “The Bachelor.”

A few things about Charity

If you don’t know much about her, the opening scenes of her season revealed more about her personality, family and what she’s looking for in a partner.

Charity Lawson is the newest “Bachelorette.” See her journey to love.

Here’s what we learned about her on last night’s episode:

She revealed she grew up “academically oriented,” but also dabbled in competitive cheerleading.

She has three other siblings, but she is the youngest. She admitted that this makes her a bit “spoiled” in some ways.

Her parents have been married for 48 years and she is eager to find the same love because she knows it’s possible.

She went to Auburn and earned her masters in clinical mental health counseling. She is now a child and family therapist, helping children specifically with trauma.

Her brother, Nehemiah, is her best friend, who has been through thick and thin with her.

Meeting the men

Charity has no shortage of smart, handsome and successful men ready to fall in love with her. The bevy of hunks include sales executives, biomedical scientists, firefighters, world record jumpers and even professional wrestlers (yes, you read those right).

Each of the 25 men had unique entrances, some with lucky coins, Hawaiian flowers, fortune cookies, candles, plane tickets, sweet jokes, back flips and more.

“These guys are bringing it,” Charity said behind the scenes. “I’m already so lucky. They are all so sincere, funny, creative; they are all leaving an impression on me.”

And of course, there were some awkward moments too (I’m talking about you, Spencer).

And then there’s a twist: Charity’s brother, Nehemiah, jumped out of the limo and went in disguise as a bartender to keep a check on the men.

A few men that stuck out to me, personally: Aaron B. impressed me because he seems like he has a lot of substance; Dotun seems like a sweetheart; and I also enjoyed Sean’s entrance because he made a check out to “Charity,” coming from his heart.

I also loved the private time Charity shared with James (and that letter from his mom: tear-jerker).

All the drama

The drama seemed to be surrounding one guy: Brayden. Even Charity’s brother said Brayden was “arrogant.”

Brayden was over the moon after his smooching session with Charity and definitely let the other guys know it, as he was not shy to kiss and tell.

Nonetheless, Nehemiah let Charity know his skepticism towards Brayden and she heard his concerns.

First impression rose

Although the first kiss of the night went to Xavier, the first impression rose went to (drumroll, please) Brayden.

Am I the only one who is bummed by that?

Apparently not, because it seemed like the men were also not feeling that great after seeing the rose on Brayden.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Charity explained her decision to give Brayden the first impression rose.

“I decided to give Brayden the first impression rose strictly because we had just great chemistry, and a great conversation early on. When I sat down with Brayden, he was one of the ones out of all the guys that I got to talk to ... that just provided me a level of ease,” she said. “With my brother’s insight, I stored that in my back pocket, but it definitely was not worth axing on night one.”

First Rose Ceremony

Moving on to the first rose ceremony of the season, Charity sent home six men: Chris Spell, Joe Menzia, Khalid Hassan, Nic Barber, Peter Cappio, and Taylor Pegg.

That leaves 19 men.

Season 20 of “The Bachelorette” features a Georgia Peach and Columbus native.

“I am so incredibly grateful for all of you that are standing here with me. Cheers,” Charity said as she lifted a glass with the remaining men.

Catch week two of Charity’s journey next Monday on ABC.

Which of Charity’s men stuck out to you the most? Comment below or email me at [email protected]