Glen Ellyn native appears on 'The Bachelorette'

Mike Tenerelli can't say whether he found love on "The Bachelorette," but he describes some of his about-to-be-televised dates as "experiences of a lifetime."

Tenerelli, who grew up in Glen Ellyn and now lives in Winfield, is one of 25 men who will compete to win the heart of Desiree Hartsock, a bridal stylist from Northglenn, Colo. The new season of the ABC reality show premieres at 7 p.m. Monday.

A plumbing contractor who also owns CrossFit Alpha Dog in Lombard, Tenerelli - identified on the show as Mikey T. - said in his online profile that he hoped to get "both love and friendship" out of the experience.

"I was 30 and single and thought it would be a great chance to meet a great girl," Tenerelli said by phone.

He said having cameras around was weird at first, but he got used to them. While he can't share specifics of the experience, Tenerelli said he became close to the other guys in the house and has nothing but praise for Hartsock, whom he described as a "very nice, fun-loving, intelligent, intellectual, beautiful girl."

Tenerelli said he will watch the show with family and close friends.