Kirkland’s Most Eligible Bachelor

Meet the Real Jason Mesnick

He may not have won the heart of bachelorette DeAnna Pappas on the ABC reality show “The Bachelorette,” but plenty of women were completely charmed by this Kirkland native, wondering how she could let this single dad get away.

Mesnick, 31, ended up on “The Bachelorette” after watching a long-time friend of his, Bevin Powers, herself a former contestant on “The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman” and a friend of Pappas. “I could do this,” Mesnick thought. He sent an e-mail, and more than a year later, he finally received a call from casting letting him know they were interested. In a fortunate twist of fate, the day after he received the phone call, he ran into Powers, whom he hadn’t seen in years. She mentioned that he had to check out Pappas, who had just then been announced as the next Bachelorette, because she thought Pappas would be the perfect girl for him. The rest, as they say, is history.

Mesnick was passed over in the show’s finale for snowboarder Jesse Csincsak. Mesnick and Csincsak had become friends during the course of the taping of the show, which lasted six weeks. On a particularly intense and moody day in the house, the twosome even started a water fight to entertain themselves and break the tension. Mesnick says he remains good friends with both Csincsak and Pappas, and that he doesn’t regret for a minute going on the show.

“I’ve changed a little bit through doing ‘The Bachelorette’,” Mesnick says. One of the things that changed most for him after being on the show was his idea of the ideal woman. According to Mesnick, she has to have a spark for life, be able to live in the moment and really enjoy it and love to have excitement in her life. But she should also have a certain calmness to her. “The butterflies and excitement are good, but they don’t stick around forever,” Mesnick says.

Mesnick is now back at work as an account executive at MCM in Bellevue and back to being a full-time single dad to his 3-year-old son, Tyler. He lives in Kirkland with his son and his little brother, in what he describes as “an all-boys club, a little bit like ‘My Two Dads.’” Downtime with his son is spent playing Nintendo Wii, visiting Downtown Bellevue Park and participating in their all time favorite activity — wrestling.

As for getting back on the dating horse, Mesnick isn’t quite there yet. He wants to make sure that any issues or pain he’s dealing with after his heartbreak over Pappas are put to rest before getting involved with someone new. After all, he got down on one knee and proposed.

While he has yet to go on a date since he returned home from “The Bachelorette,” he has amassed quite a collection of phone numbers from female fans. When he does begin dating again, he’s sure to have his pick of Northwest ladies (and beyond).

Mesnick describes his dating style as laid-back, low-key and relaxed. His most interesting date was when he swam with sharks on “The Bachelorette,” but he is quick to say that although “it was the coolest thing I have ever done, it’s not really me.” Non-televised dates with Mesnick would involve strolling along the avenue in Kirkland, going to the batting cages, or maybe golfing or bowling. A jeans and T-shirt kind of guy, he likes to try new things and restaurants and “just chill.”

Despite the many admirers, Mesnick says the best part of this whole experience so far has been the ability to give back to the community since returning. He has had the opportunity to work with and fundraise for different children’s organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club. Causes he’s happy to support.

As for returning to television as “The Bachelor” Mesnick says he hasn’t been approached to do anything like that yet, but should it ever happen, he would definitely think about it. Especially considering that since his return home, he hasn’t really had any negative experiences. “Everyone can relate to heartache,” he says, “and to have it magnified on national television? People have been really kind.” From the girls throwing themselves at his feet, to 75-year-old men at the gym who tell him that he’s a great guy and that he made them proud, this bachelor seems to have legions of admirers everywhere he goes.

Ashley Breckel is a freelance writer who lives in Bellevue.

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