'Bachelor' star Raven Gates reveals why she wore green to 'After the Final Rose'

FAIR WARNING: "Bachelor" spoilers ahead!

If you watched Nick Viall's (three-hour) "Bachelor" finale on Monday night, you know that Nick finally found love with Vanessa Grimaldi and said a teary goodbye to Raven Gates (don't worry, though, she's going to "Paradise"). So yes, despite Vanessa's doubts throughout the episode, when Nick got down on one knee at the end of the first two hours of the finale marathon, Vanessa said "yes" (and America breathed a sigh of relief for the two-time "Bachelor" runner-up).

RELATED: All of the women who vied for Nick's love this season

Fast forward to the "After the Final Rose" special (A.K.A. the third hour of the marathon), and per tradition, Nick had to face ex Raven before he and Vanessa debuted as a couple in public for the first time.

When Raven stepped out onto the stage, she looked as gorgeous as ever in a $170 bodycon asymmetric draped green dress -- and now we know why she chose it.

Read her statement below:

Tonight on stage I wore green for a particular reason that's near and dear to my heart- Hoxie- The 1st Stand. Although I was unable to attend 🌹 today Hoxie was celebrated at the Arkansas State Capitol for the 1955 integration of Hoxie Schools. The first challenged integration in the United States, Hoxie set the precedent for all other integrations in the country. There are two important lessons we can learn from remembering historical moments such as the story of the 1955 integration. 1.) Small communities such as Hoxie can bring change to the United States, & have a ripple effect across the world. 2.) We will always overcome adversity through diversity. #TheBachelor

A post shared by ravennicolegates (@ravennicolegates) on Mar 13, 2017 at 11:16pm PDT


"Tonight on stage I wore green for a particular reason that's near and dear to my heart- Hoxie- The 1st Stand. Although I was unable to attend today Hoxie was celebrated at the Arkansas State Capitol for the 1955 integration of Hoxie Schools," she wrote, in part.

As "Bachelor" fans know, Raven hails from Hoxie, Arkansas -- and it's touching to see her pay homage to such a significant moment in her hometown's history.

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