The Bachelorette’s Gabby Windey, Erich Schwer’s Relationship Timeline From Final Rose to Breakup

First Impression

Erich may not have received Gabby’s first impression rose, but that was probably a good thing. He admitted during the first night of the season that he was on the fence as to which Bachelorette star he wanted to date, calling both Gabby and Rachel “amazing.”  

“I can see how this is going to get complicated very quickly,” he said at the time, proving that he had eyes for both the ICU nurse and the pilot.  

A Special One-On-One

During their one-on-one date, Gabby and Erich were joined by Gabby’s grandpa John, who she affectionately (and hilariously) referred to as “America’s Grandpa.” Taking part in a sound bath and then hitting the bowling alley, it was clear by introducing him to a beloved member of her family that Gabby was interested in Erich. 

Hometowns Turned Emotional

Hometown dates on The Bachelorette are typically filled with awkward conversations and sideways glances, but Erich’s hometown was emotional for a different reason. He and Gabby spent special time with his father, Allan, who was battling terminal cancer at the time. Allan died in June 2022, about 12 weeks after filming wrapped.  

On One Knee

As her relationships with Jason and Johnny quickly crumbled, Gabby had her heart set on Erich. In true Bachelorette fashion, a well-suited Erich got down on one knee and proposed to the dazzling Gabby, who happily accepted the Neil Lane ring.  

It’s you, me until the wheels fall off,” Erich said during his proposal. “I’m head over heels in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, Gabby. Will you marry me?” Her answer was a resounding yes.  

Keeping Things Private

In the footsteps of the Bachelor couples who have (stayed together) and come before them, Gabby and Erich kept their status as an engaged couple under wraps until the show concluded airing. During this time, Rachel and her fiancé, Tino Franco, were falling apart at the seams, making Gabby’s relationship and success on the show appear that much more fruitful. 

The Text Messages

Erich’s last text message to his ex, Amanda, was timestamped July 9. Anyone keeping up with the roll out of the show knows that Erich and Gabby were engaged at this point but were keeping their relationship out of the public eye.  

“I am so sorry Amanda, what I did was terrible. I don’t expect you to ever forgive me. I just want you to know I think about you all the time and you really deserve the best,” Erich’s July text read according to the screenshots. “I won’t ever forgive myself. I hope you find happiness and everything you deserve,” he concluded. July 9 was exactly one day before Gabby’s season of The Bachelorette aired.  

Dreaded September

Erich and Gabby were hit with a one-two punch in September 2022. On September 8, the photos of Erich in Blackface resurfaced, causing an uproar amongst fans. Then, on September 14, the text messages from Erich’s ex were leaked to the public. It became incredibly clear that the path in front of the newly engaged couple was littered with boulders.  

A United Front

Despite the text messages to his ex and the offensive high school photos, Gabby and Erich made it clear during the After The Final Rose finale episode that they were not only still happily engaged but were committed to navigating life’s challenges together.  

“Our communication has just gotten better,” Gabby said of their relationship during the finale. “And he’s gracious and he’s honest and I do believe what he says. So not saying that you were right in your actions — I mean, you were kind of an –hole to her,” she concluded about Erich’s communication with his ex in her sarcastic way.  

Happy, In Love and In Public

With the veil lifted, Gabby and Erich took to social media with updates about their relationship, sharing more intimate looks into their lives together. 

A Supportive Partner

When Gabby was cast in season 31 of Dancing With the Stars, Erich was a regular audience member in the first weeks of competition. Making an appearance during rehearsal, Erich told his fiancée, “I didn’t know you were such a talented dancer, and I was blown away 100 percent,” Erich said of Gabby’s skills on the dance floor.  

Trouble In Paradise?

As Gabby’s journey on Dancing With the Stars continues as of publication, fans have noticed that Erich has been notably absent from the audience. When asked after the Halloween 2022 episode if she and Erich were still together amid speculation, Gabby responded with a sly answer.  

“I think life is just really busy for the both of us right now,” she said of her fiancé, who hasn’t posted a social media update about the pair since October 11, 2022. “So, I understand [fans’] concern but we’re just … going forward with each of our individual interests and supporting each other from afar.”  

Watch this space for updates.  

Going Their Separate Ways

After weeks of fan speculation, Gabby and Erich pulled the veil over their engagement, confirming the news to People. According to an additional source within Bachelor Nation who spoke to E! News, Gabby was the one to end the relationship.
“She felt they weren’t aligned and weren’t on the same page,” the source revealed. “Gabby was hoping they could give each other space and work it out but ultimately decided they didn’t have a future.”
While they may not be headed down the aisle, things appear to be cordial between the exes, who were engaged for about two months after the finale episode of The Bachelorette aired. As of publication, both Gabby and Erich still follow one another on social media and have yet to scrub their Instagram feeds of each other.