Down on dating? Here are five couples who fell in love this year

Falling in love is often the stuff of romantic comedies or fairy tales, but it seems that for many people this year, finding that special someone has been a reality. For some, it was an unexpected encounter on a dating app, while for others, reconnecting with someone from their past proved to be the key.

Ollie and Elizabeth's story is one of serendipity. In November last year, Ollie arrived in Chiang Mai for a cycling holiday and received a Bumble notification from Elizabeth, who was an American living in Thailand. They started messaging, and despite initial reservations about meeting up, they decided to take the chance. Their first date was cut short when Elizabeth revealed she was ill with a heart attack, but Ollie showed kindness and compassion, visiting her at the hospital and helping her get home.

Their chemistry was undeniable, and before long, they were inseparable. They had more fun on their dates than either of them had in years and even decided to take up kayaking together. The 64-year-old from Yorkshire will spend the autumn and winter in Chiang Mai with Elizabeth, but plans to return to his home in Yorkshire for the summer.

For others, like Ryan and Kristin, who met on Hinge last year, their connection was instant. Despite having been high school sweethearts 20 years earlier, they didn't rekindle their romance until after meeting again via LinkedIn. Their friendship blossomed into something more, and now they're planning a big trip to Thailand together.

And then there's Brandon and Erin, who had a long-held crush on each other but never got the chance when they were in college. A message from Erin on LinkedIn brought them back together, and this time, their love story unfolded. They are committed to making their long-distance relationship work and even plan to move in together.

Lastly, Luke and Adina's romance began unexpectedly during a tour group trip in Mongolia. Despite trying to keep it under wraps, they couldn't hide their feelings for each other from the rest of the group. Their love of nature and adventure brought them closer together, and now they're planning another trip – just the two of them.

These stories prove that love can strike at any moment, even if you least expect it. And with technology on our side, reconnecting with someone special has never been easier.

omg u guys 1st off i am so happy 4 every1 who found luv this year its definsly a blessin especially ollie & elizabeth's story is so adorbs like they literally met on a dating app n never looked back their chemistry is undeniable n i love how kind ollie was 2 elizabeth wen she was sick also ryan & kristin's luv story is cute too wut i dont get is why it took them 20 yrs 2 rekindle the flame lol anywayz these stories remind me that luv can strike at any moment even when u least expect it n thats def a good ting

I'm getting chills reading about these couples! I mean, who wouldn't want to find the one while on a cycling holiday or kayaking trip? It's like the universe is trying to tell us that love can pop up anywhere and at any time.

But what I think is really cool is how technology has made it easier for people to reconnect. Like, Ryan and Kristin met on LinkedIn! Who would've thought right? And Brandon and Erin had a long-held crush, but social media brought them back together.

It's also amazing to see how some of these couples are making their long-distance relationships work. It's not always easy, but with love, commitment, and a bit of tech-savviness, anything is possible!

I'm so glad to see people finding love again in unexpected ways! Like Ollie and Elizabeth's story, it's amazing how a chance encounter can lead to something real. And I love that Ryan and Kristin got to rekindle their romance 20 years later - who says you can't have second chances?

It's also super cool to see people making long-distance relationships work, like Brandon and Erin. They're proof that with commitment and communication, anything is possible. And I'm loving the adventurous vibes of Luke and Adina's romance - Mongolia, here they come!

I'm soooo overjoyed to see these amazing love stories!!! It's like the universe is just matching people up and bringing them together in the most unexpected ways Like Ollie & Elizabeth, who met on a dating app but really connected because of their kindness towards each other . And Ryan & Kristin, who rekindled their romance after 20 years! It's amazing to see how technology can bring people back together and help them find love again . These stories just make me believe in the magic of love and that it can happen to anyone, anywhere

Love is in the air ...and so are the stories of these lucky ducks who found each other online . Like, what are the chances, right? I mean, it's not like they were just browsing through their feeds or anything... although, if you're on dating apps all day, that does seem a little suspicious .

But seriously, these stories do show that serendipity can happen (no pun intended). And hey, who needs Tinder when Bumble and Hinge are out there? Still, I wonder how many of these couples will make it past the long-distance thing... or if they'll just end up ghosting each other . Guess we'll have to wait and see

man these stories are so inspiring love is like a wild card, you never know when it's gonna hit ya. i think what's amazing is how technology brought them all together. dating apps and social media are definitely changing the way we meet people. and its not just about swiping left or right anymore, its about connection, chemistry and shared interests. its also heartwarming to see that love knows no age, ollie and elizabeths story is a great example of that

I think its kinda awesome how these people found love in unexpected ways, whether thru dating apps or rekindling old flames. Its like, who would've thought right? They just went for it and saw where things took them. I mean, Ollie showed up at Elizabeth's hospital, what a sweet guy! And Ryan and Kristin, they were high school sweethearts, but didn't get back together until now. Love can be so unpredictable.

I'm loving these love stories ! I mean, who wouldn't want to find someone who's a perfect match for them? But what really gets me is how technology is changing the game for people when it comes to meeting new partners. Like, Ryan and Kristin met on Hinge last year and didn't rekindle their romance until after LinkedIn? That's amazing ! And I'm also intrigued by Ollie and Elizabeth's story – who would've thought that a Bumble notification could lead to love?

I was thinking about how this is different from my own friends' experiences. Like, one of my close friends met someone on Tinder last year and they're still going strong ! But what I find interesting is how these people are making their long-distance relationships work. Brandon and Erin are planning to move in together – that's dedication !

And have you noticed how these love stories all share a common thread? They're all about taking chances, being open-minded, and using technology to connect with others. I mean, it's not always easy to put ourselves out there, but sometimes it just pays off !

man... i mean think about it these stories are like, proof that life is full of surprises and serendipity, right? we're all just living in this crazy world, trying to find our way, and sometimes, that means taking a chance on someone we never thought we'd meet. it's like, technology has made it so easy for us to connect with people from all over the world, but at the same time, it's also kinda scary to put ourselves out there. what if we get hurt? but the thing is, these couples didn't let fear hold them back. they took a chance, and look how happy they are now.

i think that's what love is all about - taking that leap of faith, being open to new experiences, and seeing where it takes us. it's not always easy, but it's worth it. these stories remind me that life is full of ups and downs, but with the right person by our side, we can face anything.

I think these stories are so inspiring! Like, who doesn't love a good romance? It's amazing how some people just click, you know? For Ollie and Elizabeth, it was like they had known each other for years, not just months. And Ryan and Kristin's story is like a second chance at love - who wouldn't want that? Their connection on LinkedIn just spoke volumes! Brandon and Erin's long-distance relationship might be tough, but I'm rooting for them! They're proof that love can conquer all, even distance. And Luke and Adina's spontaneous romance in Mongolia? Talk about a whirlwind adventure!

I think its so cool how these people met through dating apps or reconnecting with old friends . Its like the internet really is bringing people together! Ollie and Elizabeth's story is especially heartwarming, all that kindness and compassion on their first date . And I love how Ryan and Kristin got a second chance at each other 20 years later . Long-distance relationships can be tough but its great to see Brandon and Erin making it work . Its just proof that love is real and can happen when you least expect it .

I'm loving this year of love ! It's so beautiful to see how serendipity and social media have brought people together in such amazing ways. I mean, who wouldn't want to meet their soulmate on a dating app or reconnect with an old flame through LinkedIn? It just goes to show that life is full of surprises, and sometimes the best things come when we least expect them.

I also love how these couples have found common ground in shared interests and adventures. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring new places together can bring so much joy and connection to a relationship . And it's wonderful to see Ryan and Kristin, Brandon and Erin, and Luke and Adina making their long-distance relationships work – they're proof that love can conquer all even from afar .

For me, the key to a happy relationship is finding someone who shares your passions and values, and supporting each other's growth and well-being . It sounds like these couples have found that in each other, and I couldn't be more thrilled for them!

omg I'm living for these love stories ! like who wouldn't want to find their person in a random dating app or while reconnecting with an old friend? Ollie and Elizabeth's story is giving me all the feels, they're so lucky to have found each other again . And Ryan and Kristin's history as high school sweethearts is just the icing on the cake .

I'm also low-key excited for Brandon and Erin's long-distance relationship , I think it's amazing that they're making it work despite being apart. And Luke and Adina's Mongolia tour group trip romance? that's like something out of a rom-com !

I guess what I'm trying to say is that love can strike at any moment and technology has definitely made it easier for us to connect with others . do you think we'll ever find our own special someone through online dating or will it be a more old-school meet-cute for me?