Unless you’ve somehow managed to avoid getting sucked into the wonderful world of The Bachelor franchise (which, kudos to you), you probably tuned in to watch the show’s 20th season premiere last night, featuring America’s Sweetheart, Ben Higgins. If you watched Kaitlyn’s season of The Bachelorette, you probably liked Ben but were more focused on the drama between Shawn B. and Nick, the two men who made it to the final rose ceremony to pay attention to the man who might just be the nicest guy to ever be on The Bachelor - and boy, did ABC hone in on that.

Now, maybe it’s because this is my first season of The Bachelor so I’m not used to it, but the show was playing up Ben’s homegrown, good guy side. Straight out of “the heartland,” Ben is the son of a couple that were high school sweethearts, the former quarterback of his football team, a basketball player, and a man very singularly focused on marriage. It’s refreshing, honestly, to see a man so unabashedly claim that he is very serious about falling in love, getting married, and starting a family. Even better? He’s so nervous about dating 25 women at once that he ends up having a quick get together with some recent Bachelor alums, including Jason Nezik, Sean Lowe, and fellow midwestern man, Chris Soules.

This meeting may just be one of the best parts of the entire two-hour premiere. Though it starts off with Sean laughing that, “You’re the only dude there so they can’t compare you to anyone else,” these boys get weirdly serious. They actually dole out advice that is applicable for more than just the show.

Then, because he’s already the cutest man alive, Ben explains that during his stint on The Bachelorette and after, he felt a little “un-loveable” and wasn’t quite sure he was ever going to find a girl to settle down with. Say it with me: awww.

As cute as this was, though, we finally got to the real reason we all tuned in: the introductions. Y’all, there were some crazy moments. From a girl showing up in a onesie, another coming in with a miniature horse, and a set of twins, Ben was clearly in over his head the moment the first girl stepped out of the limo. From jumping into his arms to stealing a kiss right away, these girls made it clear that they were here to become Mrs. Higgins and not to joke around.

Mandi, a dentist, made the first interesting impression of the night, stealing Ben right as he was making his introduction...and then proceeded to give him a dental exam. Because nothing sets the tone for romance quite like getting your brushing habits explored?

Ben then makes a connection with Olivia, a genuine girl who admits she quit a job she loved for the chance to be here - and didn’t regret it at all. She stressed how much she loved being involved in the community, pulling to Ben’s hometown hero side.

However, all the attention was pulled away from the original girls with the show’s first twist of the season: Becca and Amber, veterans from Chris Soules’ season, crash the party and make their moves to getting back to the final rose ceremony once more, a move Ben is surprised by and thoroughly pleased with. Clearly, this doesn’t sit well with Lace, who’s already making waves with the other girls for her attitude.

Despite this, Ben makes a clear effort at making sure each girl is comfortable and knows just how gorgeous she is and admits that it’s okay they’re nervous because he is too. I mean...seriously? Ben is everything The Bachelor needed to replace the mess Juan Pablo left.

So who’s moving on? Twenty girls, including Olivia, who won the first impression rose; Lace, who pulled Ben aside after the rose ceremony (and is making Ben rethink that rose); Calia, a fellow software sales rep; Jackie, who brought save the dates for her potential future engagement; Becca and Amber; twins Haley and Emily; and Mandi, who showed up in a rose headpiece, accurately predicting her future for the night. Jubilee, Samantha, Lauren B., Lauren B. (“LB”), Jami, Jennifer, Amanda, JoJo, Leah, Rachel, Jackie, Shoshanna, and Lauren H. round out the list.

I’m excited. This season promises heartbreak, drama, girl fights (no, seriously, someone has a black eye in the trailer), and plenty of scandalous moments sure to have us anxious to make it to the final rose ceremony. Personally? I’m rooting for Amanda, the single mom from the O.C., Jubilee, a firecracker military vet from Florida, and Caila, who perfectly described Lace as “fifty shades of crazy.” Don’t let me down, Benjamin.

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.

Who are you rooting for on this season of The Bachelor? Share your favorite moments and your favorite girl(s) in the comments below!