Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia, stars of The Bachelorette season 19, have changed since they appeared on Clayton Echard's season of The Bachelor a few months ago. Gabby, a 31-year-old ICU nurse from Denver, and Rachel, a 26-year-old pilot and flight instructor from Clermont, Florida, became best friends after their tumultuous experience on the reality series earlier this year. Clayton broke up with both Rachel and Gabby after telling all three of his final women that he loved them.

Rachel and Gabby decided to stay with Clayton after "The Rose Ceremony from Hell" when he told them that Susie Evans left the show due to him admitting that he loved them and for also sleeping with Gabby and Rachel in the Fantasy Suite. However, when he realized that he loved Susie "the most," he broke up with the final two women to pursue Susie, leaving them confused and heartbroken. Today, Clayton and Susie are still a couple, and Rachel and Gabby are ready to move on with their own season of The Bachelorette.

Related: Bachelorette: How Gabby & Rachel Can Support Each Other As Leads

On the premiere episode of The Bachelorette season 19, Gabby and Rachel reflected on how their approach to dating has changed since appearing on Clayton's season. The two women became best friends and confidantes after their shared experience, which allowed them to have an open and honest relationship on the show. In one of their conversations, Rachel and Gabby discussed the type of guy they like, also revealing what they learned and how they changed since The Bachelor. Rachel said that she likes men who are taller and more athletic, but it really depends on their personalities. She admitted that she never really dated a guy who made her laugh, so Rachel wanted to find someone who had a good sense of humor, and she knew that this was important to Gabby as well.

Split Image of Gabby and Rachel hugging and sitting on the couch in The Bachelor finale

Gabby confessed that when it comes to men, "I've dated them all." She said that she has dated tall and short, funny and plain, smart and dumb guys, but Gabby learned that she wants to be with someone who can make a decision. She revealed that it was clear that Clayton didn't know what he wanted and was bouncing from one woman to another. The Denver native declared to Rachel, "I know what I want, and you know what you deserve too." Gabby said that she and Rachel have "learned so much and just got so much stronger by going through what we did go through, so I think it'll only benefit us and having each other moving forward." Unfortunately, Gabby also told Rachel that she did not doubt that one of the men would try to play them. She said that after everything with Clayton, she does not trust men because they have "rightfully earned not being able to be trusted." However, Gabby added that she is a romantic and does want a happily ever after, hoping her future husband would be there that night.

Rachel and Gabby have transformed quite a bit since their experience with Clayton on The Bachelor. Although it was painful, the journey led them to their current status as co-Bachelorettes. As their own The Bachelorette season begins, Gabby and Rachel can look back with pride on how they handled themselves during that difficult situation and how they became even stronger after going through it. Even though they seem a bit more cautious now, this will help them to find men deserving of their love. Their time on The Bachelorette will most likely change Rachel and Gabby again, but, hopefully, this time, they will find the love they are searching for.

Next: Bachelorette: Why Tino Wouldn't Watch Gabby & Rachel On The Bachelor

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.