On last night’s episode of The Bachelor, Ben Flajnik sent Kacie Boguskie home in a move that shocked most avid watchers.

Today, Ben spoke up and wrote the following on his blog for People as the reason why he eliminated Kacie and sent her home:

“The day portion of our date went swimmingly as usual, but as Kacie started to talk about her dad, I got nervous. I started to think he wouldn’t approve of me being so different than a man he would normally want his daughter to date.

“The evening was difficult for me. Kacie’s family was really nice and welcoming, but every time I had a conversation with one of her family members, I felt like I was disappointing them. Kacie was raised with more traditional values than I was.

“I felt like that would get between us in regards to her family. I thought about it so much that it started getting in the way of my feelings growing stronger for her.

Ben continued, “It was disheartening. Parents’ approval and permission is really important to me and I didn’t feel like I got that from her family, though they were kind and warm.

“This was the most difficult rose ceremony to date. It is so cliché to say, but they get harder as time goes on. My decision to send Kacie home wasn’t an easy one.

“I still had feelings for her, but I did make a promise to her father that if I didn’t see it going much further, I would end it sooner than later to not hurt her as much.

“The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Kacie, but ultimately it was the right decision, as hard as it was. Man, this has been a roller coaster.”

I hope Kacie reads this and finds some comfort which she did not show last night. Watch Kacie B.’s tearful extended limo ride home here.