The strongest bond.

Fans met Michael Allio on Season 17 of “The Bachelorette,” and now he’s looking for love on Season 8 of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

As Bachelor Nation knows, the single dad has been open about losing his wife Laura Ritter-Allio to cancer in 2019 when she was only 33 years old.

The two were together for over 16 years before she passed away, and they share their son James together.

Now, Michael is stopping by the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast to reveal why taking James to kindergarten got him so emotional.

He told co-hosts Becca Kufrin and Michelle Young that he snapped right back into his life after “Paradise” finished filming.

Michael said, “Getting back into my normal life didn’t take long whatsoever. I jumped right back in. James isn’t somebody that can wait around for me to find my footing. It was really quick and James actually just went to kindergarten. He had his first day about a month ago and I never thought it would be as emotional as it actually was.”

The dad went on, saying, “I used to make fun of parents all the time for getting emotional about their kids going back to school, but there is something to be said about your kid growing up and taking those first big steps. He just felt like an adult that day.”

Michael shared that while he was emotional, this phase is his favorite one yet.

He said, “I dropped him off at this large school and I told them to please take care of him. He was crazy brave and there are a lot of firsts that I’m experiencing as a parent. Each phase is great. People always ask what my favorite phase has been and it’s always the next one. It’s cool to grow beside him and see the world through his eyes.”

Michelle asked Michael if he was crying when he dropped off James and he got candid with his answer.

Michael said, “Absolutely I cried. I was in a caravan of sad parents with their heads on their steering wheel. It was an emotional one. I toughened up and got back to work. I think it probably is harder for the parents than the kids. We can’t be there and hold their hand the entire time. You have to let the bird out of the nest and let them find their own path in life.”

To hear more of Michael’s conversation with Becca and Michelle, check out the full episode of “Bachelor Happy Hour” below.

And click the links listed here for the resources from this week's episode: Still Processing: Lil Nas X? Not Sorry!, Dark Girls, and American Cancer Society.