Jake Pavelka has met his best copilot yet.

The former Bachelor, 46, recently opened up about ‘Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous’ podcast he met his girlfriend, Amyon the dating app Bumble in January.

“We matched for, like, the 15 minutes I turned it on,” he gushed about swiping right after a flight from his home base of Dallas to Santa Barbara, California. “I said, ‘I’m not looking for a long-distance relationship,’ and she said something funny, like, ‘Well, you couldn’t handle it anyway.’ I was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ This is probably the girl. She’s so gorgeous.”

While Pavelka didn’t offer much detail about his romance, he did reveal that they are “six years” apart and that his 40-year-old girlfriend “didn’t watch” any of his Bachelor Nation seasons.

Pavelka appeared first Jillian Harris‘ season of Bachelorettewhich aired in 2009. After Harris, 44, sent him home, he was named the next Bachelor lead. Pavelka specifically suggested that Vienna Girardi during the 2010 final, but they broke up seven months later due to allegations of cheating.

Family: Former ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Leads: Where Are They Now?

While some roses stand the test of time, others wilt before the Neil Lane engagement ring can be changed. The Bachelor premiered on ABC in March 2002 with Alex Michel named the world’s most eligible Bachelor. More than 20 women competed for his heart and one of the most successful reality TV series was born. (…)

“Jake and Vienna have split and appreciate respect for their privacy at this time,” a rope for the couple told Us Weekly at that time.

Pavelka and Girardi, now 38, revisited their breakup during a notoriously awkward interview with the former host Chris Harrison.

“When we were at home (it was) lonely,” Girardi said during the July 2010 episode of next season Bachelorette. “I just wanted him to be around me and talk to me and kiss me like a normal relationship. My impression was that you were a pilot and we were going to go back to Dallas and live a normal life. All of a sudden you were in LA and you made an acting career.”

While Girardi claimed Pavelka consistently ignored her, he refuted her claims.

“She was excited because I put her on TV,” Pavelka added, adding that he was “disgusted” that Girardi allegedly sold their breakup to a newspaper for $90,000, which she denied.

Family: Say what? Rachel Bilson and Nick Viall admit they faked their romance

Here for the right reasons? January Jones, Sarah Hyland, Chris Lane and more celebrities have been romantically linked to Bachelor Nation stars over the years — and some have even married their suitors. Nick Viall made his Bachelorette debut in 2014 while competing for Andi Dorfman’s heart. He later appeared on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season before taking (…)

That August, Pavelka spoke with Us about his dream partner.

“I like blondes, brunettes, redheads or any combination,” he joked. “I just am looking for a sweetheart. That’s the biggest thing. I’m looking for a girl who has a really big heart.”

Pavelka and Girardi later came face to face in Season 2 of Bachelor Pad in 2011 with its new partners. She later married a racing driver Todd Allen during 2017.