Bachelor Nation has officially crowned The Bachelor Season 28’s Hometown Week Hero: Nick Georgas!

In a rare successful sweep, Joey Graziadei attended not one, not two, but FOUR fantastic Hometown Dates, which made the competition for Season 28’s standout family member unexpectedly fierce. In a delightful twist, Maria Georgas’ dad Nick (aka the Sprinkle Boss) emerged victorious, surprising fans by revealing a hilarious softie beneath his hard, intimidating shell.

The skillfully edited Hometown Week promos painted Nick as a terrifying tough guy who was ready to kick Joey to the curb. In reality, Daddy Georgas was ready to welcome Joey to the family with open arms. He even went so far as to promise him “one big fat Greek/Italian wedding!” (Oh, the wedding special that could have been!)

Though Episode 8 marked Maria’s first time bringing viewers back home, Bachelor Nation was obsessed with Nick Georgas long before Hometown Week. We caught a glimpse of Daddy G in Maria’s Bachelor intro video, then later during a group date, she casually shared that her dad owned a family sprinkle company, piquing the interest of *checks notes* every single soul watching. His Canadian business, Jubilee Candy Corp, specializes in sugar, sprinkles, nonpareils, confetti, chips, and more sweet treats. Instead of painting Mr. Georgas as a welcoming Willy Wonka type, however, producers teased him as Joey’s worst nightmare — or “The Unknown” for those familiar with Glasgow’s failed Wonka Experience.

“My dad is not gonna make it easy,” Maria said in the Episode 8 teaser. “It’s hard for me right now, because I don’t know where you stand,” Nick told Joey in a stern, disapproving voice. “Maria is 100% Daddy’s girl. If she gets hurt, it would be a problem for Joey.” At the top of the episode, dramatic Italian music accompanied a tense conversation with Nick and his family as he explained Maria never brought a man home. “Very soon we’re gonna see them together and then we’ll know. I’ll know,” he said like a threat.

Viewers waited with bated breath until the final Hometown visit invited us inside the Georgas household, where Nick went on to achieve Bachelor franchise royalty status. Don’t get me wrong, Joey’s Hometown dates were full of heartwarming, hilarious loved ones worthy of praise (we’re looking at you, Kelsey A’s dad). But Nick Georgas proved to be a protective, comical, emotionally intelligent king. And for that, we honor him.

The menacing Italian music in the background of Maria’s dad talking is *chef’s kiss* #TheBachelor

— Jackie Happer (@jac_KIEYOURCAR) March 5, 2024

Am I the only one that wants a reality show with Maria’s family? Her dad looks like he’s in the music biz. They seem entertaining as F #TheBachelor

— Shari Lynne (@Shakain3) March 5, 2024

When Joey — bless his heart — gave Nick a bottle and said, “I heard this is one of your favorites,” Nick swiftly snapped back, “No, THIS is one of my faves,” placing his hand on Maria. An iconic response. He made sure to stress the gravity of the situation throughout the night, reminding Joey, “You have the most important thing in my life in my hands” and “the last thing I want to see is my kid get hurt.” He also took time to praise Maria, expressing his deep love for her by calling her his princess, his angel, and “the greatest thing in the world.”

With his tan skin, unruly hair, unbuttoned shirt, large silver cross, and general rockstar/mob boss vibes, Nick Georgas could have easily portrayed the predictable portrait of masculinity alluded to in The Bachelor‘s edits. Instead, he shattered expectations and dared to get vulnerable on primetime ABC television. After lightly grilling Joey about his intentions with Maria and learning his daughter was holding back a bit in the relationship, Nick gave Joey his blessing, saying, “The way I see Maria tonight, I haven’t seen her that way with anybody. If she chooses you and you choose her — it’s a two-way street — if I know you’re the man she chooses, I would have no problems giving you my blessing.” Awww!!!

Effortlessly switching into girl dad mode, Nick went on to say, “You’d mean more to me than a son, because the woman you chose is my life. Take care of her, respect her, and we’re gonna have one big fat Greek/Italian wedding and have you be part of this family.” In case that wasn’t touching enough, Nick sat down with Maria, comforted her as she cried, and talked through her emotions, encouraging her to put her guard down. “It’s OK. I’m here for you no matter what. I just want the best for you,” he said. “If it doesn’t work, at least you tried.” (We’re not crying, you’re crying!)

“Maria doesn’t open up that easily, but when she does, she’ll spill her guts,” Nick told cameras, showing an intimate understanding of his daughter’s emotions.

Sadly, Maria wasn’t able to “spill her guts” to Joey that night and wound up going home after the rose ceremony. Though we won’t get the big fat Greek/Italian wedding special of our dreams, wee’re thankful we got the chance to meet her and Daddy G this season.

Here’s hoping we haven’t seen the last of this father/daughter duo on our TV screens. (Maria for Bachelorette, maybe!)

New episodes of The Bachelor premiere Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu.