Love stories: What was your all-time most romantic encounter?

The course of true love rarely runs smooth, but all the more reason to cherish any romance that comes into our lives. From a fateful 'second chance' meeting, to chatting under the stars, four Nordic industry figures and friends of Vogue Scandinavia share their ultimate romantic encounters that might just make your heart skip a beat.

After having met each other a couple of times, Betina and I decided to go on a proper date. As we’re pretty chilled people, the plan was to get a drink and take a stroll in the streets of Copenhagen. It was a cosy summer evening, and we met at a small cocktail bar. Knowing that she was not just any girl, I was of course super excited. The plan was to go in a bit earlier to make sure we would have a nice spot. The wait for her felt long but I was just nervous... right up until she stepped into the bar. We started talking and everything just felt so comfortable and right.

A few hours and drinks later, we were hungry but without a reservation the only place we could go for food was McDonald’s – surely the most romantic place to get food on the first date!

Related: First-date ideas to try in Copenhagen with a bit of a difference

Our conversation continued from where we left off, we got our food in no time, but I didn’t want the date to end, and luckily for me, she felt the same way. We decided to take a walk by Nyhavn. All the lights were glowing and when there was a pause in our conversation, the moment felt right to stop, look deeply in her eyes, and kiss her. It felt amazing and as though we were all alone, even though in reality we were surrounded by tourists (I think that someone even took a photo of us!), I wish I could have that moment captured forever, as that’s the moment I immediately fell for her.

The night entailed moments I will never forget, and it was so special to me, who knew McDonalds could be so romantic? It just goes to show that these moments don’t have to be over-the-top or fancy, it’s all about the person you’re with. If that person is right, any situation can feel like the most romantic. Almost seven years have passed, we’re still together and recently got married.

The most romantic thing that’s ever happened was meeting my present partner, Jannic.

I was out at a club in my hometown, Copenhagen, and realised that all my girlfriends had left without me. As I was heading towards the exit, I saw this very good-looking guy wearing the most cool and colourful outfit I’ve ever seen. He stood out of the crowd with his warm eyes and tattooed skin. He smiled at me and without hesitation, I walked up and asked him if he wanted to dance and he said 'no'.

A week later I was at home alone, feeling tired and not in a very good mood, when a girlfriend called saying she wanted me to meet some of her friends, and in particular, a guy. I gave in and agreed to meet them, and when I arrived at the bar, I spot ‘Mr Good-Looking’, the guy from the club. I turned around to leave, but quickly realised that this is the guy my girlfriend wanted to introduce me to. This time he approached me, and we danced and talked all night long – and we have been together ever since.

Today, one year after that fateful night, we often laugh about our first encounter and impressions of each other.

Meeting my now boyfriend, Oliver, would have to be the most romantic experience of my life.

We met in St Anton in Austria when I was on a holiday with friends and family. He was a ski instructor there, and we accidentally met each other through mutual friends on my first day. He thought I was a very bad skier because of my (fashionable, but not practical) ski outfit – a pink, vintage Moncler ski jacket with matching gloves. The jacket doesn’t really have proper pockets, so my things often fell out. Like I said, not at all practical but very cool. He ended up telling his boss that he was sick so we could have a full day skiing together on my last day in St Anton.

Related: Everything you need for your next ski tour, according to our Nature expert

When Covid-19 became a reality, Oliver moved back to Copenhagen where we met again. He has now been my boyfriend for three years. He didn’t share his thoughts about my Moncler outfit until many months later. We laughed quite a lot about it, and it’s still an ongoing joke.

Last Christmas he gave me a new ski jacket – a very cool, feminine, yet sporty and practical Perfect Moment jacket. We both love skiing and will return to the slopes next week and I must say, it is much nicer wearing this. I don’t have to stress about losing my wallet or lift card anymore.

My wife Miisa and I met over eight years ago, and I’d say the most romantic experience happened on our second date.

Our first date was pretty basic: we had coffee, went to see a movie and just hung out in the city centre. For the second date, I wanted to do something special, so I packed the car with a guitar, a football, blankets, and snacks. I guess the idea in my head was that whatever the night would bring I would be prepared for it.

We met up at a fast food restaurant to grab something to eat (we were 19 years old), shared a brownie ice cream for dessert, and went for a drive around the city. We stopped at a spot with a small spring next to it. It was already completely dark outside; the sky was clear and the stars shining bright. I had not planned to drive to this spot but I was happy that I had packed the blankets and snacks. Miisa seemed to like the surprise although I didn't know whether it appeared to be too smooth or whether I was trying a little bit too hard.

Related: After the perfect first date spot? Here’s 6 non-basic places to try in Helsinki

We spread the blankets on the grass, looked up at the stars, listened to music and chatted and ate snacks. At this point I didn’t know Miisa’s favourites, so I had picked out some candy that I liked (thankfully she was a fan, too). It was the end of the summer in Finland, so it was quite chilly. I think I might have even offered Miisa my hoodie to wear.

When I think back to these memories, I remember that even on our first dates we clicked so well that we didn’t really have to have anything particularly exciting to do. We just wanted to get to know each other, and we would just talk for hours. We had another date very quickly after this one, we were both sure that we had something special. After eight years it’s quite amazing to realise how fast the time has gone. We are now married and as interested in learning new things about each other as we were back then lying on the blankets, looking up at the stars.

Related: Tomas and Miisa Grekov cement their rom-com love story with a breath-taking Finnish wedding