Have you ever noticed how some TV couples just have the perfect romance? The kind that makes you stop whatever you’re doing and stare longingly at the screen, wishing your own love life was as sincere and happening and effortless as theirs. While real-life relationships are messy and complicated,TVromancesare beautifully crafted to tug at our hearts and fuel our daydreams.
But that’s not to say that their romances are unreal. These couples aren’t just a reflection of the fair side of love, the idealized version of it, but the effort that goes into building one. From passionate beginnings to lifelong commitments, from meet-cute moments to standing by one another through everything, their stories tap into our hopes and fears about relationships and give them a magical spin.
Related:The Most Underrated Romance TV Shows, Ranked
Some pairs are destined to be together from the moment they lock their eyes, dazzling us with their wits and cool. You can just tell, from their very first scene together, that they are meant to be. Iconic duos like Seth and Summer fromThe O.C.and Jim and Pam fromThe Officefall into this dreamy category. While other romances develop gradually. Despite the angst, misunderstandings, and melodrama, it is incredible how far they’ve come.
But ultimately, these TV romances teach us that love requires work, commitment, and a sense of understanding. Love isn’t an overnight success.Whether meeting-cute or made-to-last, these romances light up our screens and our hearts. They make us believe in fairytales and dream of our own happy ever after. At the end of the day, that’s the magic of TV love stories. They leave us wanting romance.
25Cory & Topanga – Boy Meets World
Boy Meets Worldbegan with Cory Matthews in sixth grade, and through seven seasons, we see him tackle life, academics, and the world – all with Topangaby his side. They started as childhood sweethearts, had so many of their firsts with each other, and learned important life lessons while holding the other’s hand.Cory and Topangaevolved as a couple we’d strive to be,supporting each other through challengeswhile still sharing that spark. Their romance is poetic, patient, and born to last.
24Veronica and Logan – Veronica Mars
Enemies-to-lovers is a trope we live and breathe for. And for a story that revolves around the titular character trying to dissect a murder mystery surrounding her best friend, getting anywhere close to her bestie’s ex-boyfriend is out of the question. But is it?Logan Echollshad that bad-boy charm one couldn’t really resist. And amidst all the pain,Veronica Marsfound the light again in Logan’s disarming gaze. Their passionate, angsty relationship was a maze of betrayal and mystery, yet through it all, Veronica and Logan understood each other like no other pair.
23Sam and Diane – Cheers
Ted Danson and Shelly Long couldn’t be more opposites. And onCheers, asSam and Diane, their romance was anything but smooth sailing. They were mismatched and stormy in nature. However, the chemistry they shared was so undeniably strong. They represented the kind of tumultuous and explosive we secretly crave for. After years of will-they-won’t-they, they eventually get together and become couple goals, making all the frustration and banter that came along the way worth it.
22Meredith & Derek – Grey’s Anatomy
Centered around the medical interns and supervisors at Seattle Grace Hospital (now Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital),Grey’s Anatomydeals with some really life-changing scenarios and the people who come out of them. But it is the story ofMeredith Grey and Derek Shephardthat is moving and purposeful. From countless elevator rides to the adorable proposal, the two have been a steady and supportive presence in each other’s lives. They had the till-death-do-us-part kind of chemistry that became too literal and emotional for anyone to watch. But through health and heartbreak, laughter and sorrow, it was a romance for the ages.
21Ben & Leslie – Parks & Recreation
In the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana,Leslie Knope and Ben Wyattsaw beyond each other’s quirks and preconceptions. Ben’s earnest strait-laced attitude balanced out Leslie’s zeal and her obsession with binders. Their love storyunfurled slowly across seasonsofParks & Recreation, but it was clear from the very beginning that their friendship would turn into something utterly sublime. By the finale, they had built a life and family so charmingly odd and endearing, proving that the journey of love is long and beautiful.
Related:Parks and Recreation: How Each Character Persevered After Failure
20Claire & Jamie – Outlander
What’s better than a sweeping period romance? InOutlander, Claire Beauchamp Randall discovered a love for history rivaled only by her love for Jamie Fraser. Their crossover romance was built upon the treacherous passage between two souls torn by time itself. While each kiss and embrace was a battle against the fading moments they had together, it only deepened their love.Claire and Jamie’sstory has endured centuries worth of wait, but with a ton of passionate moments that had us devoted to our screens.
19Mitch & Cam – Modern Family
We’ve heard of Phil and Claire’s excellent and awkward parenting techniques, but sometimes (only sometimes),their marriage just didn’t make sense. ButMitch and Camhave wholeheartedly carriedModern Familywith their humorous and empathetic partnership. They built a love that goes beyond labels. Through shared laughter and accepting each other’s flaws, Mitch and Cam have known just how to turn every moment into a gift. Plus, their opposite personalities really balance things out, especially while dealing with the rest of the family.
18Chidi & Eleanor – The Good Place
Choosing someone over and over even though you know they don’t see you the same way has to be the purest of loves.Chidi & Eleanorhave the kind of relationship where you trade conventional wisdom and stick to real-talk, and build an understanding out of trust and familiarity. All of which is really important inThe Good Place. If you are a fan of the show, you know how they had both erased their memories a couple of times. And yet Eleanor always chose Chidi, selflessly and sincerely.
17Mindy & Danny – The Mindy Project
The Mindy Projectis among the best workplace comedies, ending with the most satisfying finale episode.Mindy Lahiri and Danny Castellanowere an imperfect pair, if there ever was one. They were opposites in almost every way – from their cultural heritage to their romantic styles. And yet, beneath each frenemy argument and misstep lay a foundation of friendship and care so strong that it ultimately flourished across six seasons. Danny’s bad-tempered charm and Mindy’s soft sense of humor showed just how magical romances can be.
16Seth & Summer – The O.C.
In the glamor and frenzy ofThe O.C., Seth and Summer’s romance served as the show’s emotional anchor. It’s not just the fact that Rachel Bilson was not originally a series regular, but almost every interactionSummer and Sethhad on screen – from being the popular girl who didn’t notice the nerdy guy till he was somebody else’s to walking down the aisle and saying their forever-after – was a testament to how the two were always meant to be. They saw each other for who they were, flaws and all, and loved them for it.
Related:The O.C: 10 Couples to Watch if You Love Seth and Summer
