I do often wonder what would’ve happened if I’d have stuck it out with my first boyfriend. Or even the first guy I ever had a bit of a thing for. I’ve often caught myself wondering what if, over a decade after ending our fleeting relationship, we were to bump into each other in the street, lock eyes across a crowd of people and kick start the PG-13 rom-com I’d always dreamed of starring in. Hey, it worked for Ed Sheeran…
ICYMI, Ed announced his engagement over the weekend. He shared a picture of him having a little cuddle with his now fiancé, Cherry Seaborn with the caption: ‘Got myself a fiancé just before new year. We are very happy and in love, and our cats are chuffed as well xx’
Obviously, the world is very excited about the news and the now one day old Instagram post is well on its way to hitting the 5 million likes mark. But, beyond Ed being a bit famous and stuff, I think one of the big reasons why everyone’s so hyped up about this particular celebrity engagement, is because of the idyllic circumstances of their love.
Cherry is Ed’s Sheeran’s childhood sweetheart, you see. They went to school together in Suffolk and reunited years later as adults. And what’s more appealing than love story material playing out in real life? Tell us a story about two people who first met when they were young, foolish and hormonal, only to later pursue a happy, grown up relationship in later life, and we’ll eat that shit up.
But, retrospectively, don’t you think these types of fairy-tale notions of romance put a lot of pressure on those early unfounded relationships we stumble into? It kind of plays into the idea of there being one person out there for everyone, and as a hopelessly romantic (and single) believer of such notions, I find it terrifying.
READ MORE: The _Made In Chelsea_Made In Chelsea****Made In Chelsea**Made In Chelsea* Relationships You Definitely Forgot About
Reality TV couples you forgot about - stacked
1 of 31Made In Chelsea: Jamie Laing and Louise Thompson
Remember when Jamie and Louise dated (much to Spencer Matthews' dismay) in 2012? Louise then left Jamie for Spencer, causing a very traumatic love triangle indeed. Poor Jamie.
2 of 31TOWIE: Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger
Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger's romance played out in the first couple of seasons of TOWIE, and it even involved a very short-lived engagement! However, after dating on and off for 10 years, the pair later ended their romance and Mark went on to marry actress Michelle Keegan.
3 of 31The Hills: Jason Wahler and Lauren Conrad
She chose him over Paris, but that didn't stop Lauren Conrad's romance with Jason Wahler coming to an abrupt end. Following their rocky romance, the pair split and Lauren later married William Tell.
4 of 31Love Island: Kady McDermott and Scott Thomas
Before she joined the cast of TOWIE to date Myles Barnett in 2018, Kady McDermott appeared on Love Island in 2016, where she found love with Ryan and Adam Thomas' brother Scott. Things didn't work out when they left the villa, with the pair announcing their split in 2017.
5 of 31Made In Chelsea: Binky Felstead and Jamie Laing
Binks is now a mum to baby India, but remember when she dated Jamie Laing?!? After years of friendship, the two found it difficult to transition to an actual relationship, so decided to call it a day.
6 of 31TOWIE: Lydia Bright and James 'Arg' Argent
Before he started dating Gemma Collins, James 'Arg' Argent and Lydia Bright were one of TOWIE's golden couples. After being on and off for years, the pair ended things for good in 2016. Meanwhile, Lydia gave birth a baby girl, Loretta Rose, in February 2020.
7 of 31Love Island: Sam Gowland and Georgia Harrison
His on/off romance with fellow Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry came to an end for good (we think) earlier this year but Sam Gowland first hit our TV screens on Love Island 2017, where he left the villa with former TOWIE star Georgia Harrison.
8 of 31Made In Chelsea: Lucy Watson and Jamie Laing
Jamie and Lucy were together for a bit and would even walk their dogs together. Not one for holding back, Lucy Watson has called the show 'incestuous' and she 'no longer wants to waste time with people like Jamie and Proudlock'. Ouch.
9 of 31Made In Chelsea: Ollie Locke and Chloe Green
Topshop Heiress Chloe Green joined the MIC lot in 2011 to date Ollie Locke. Ollie had previously dated Gabby who he broke up with to explore his feelings for men, only to then end up with another woman. It did not go down well...He's now loved-up with husband Gareth Locke.
10 of 31TOWIE: Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mario Falcone
Before Lucy started dating former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, she actually introduced Mario Falcone to TOWIE viewers as her boyfriend. Despite Mario proposing to Lucy on a luxury yacht, things didn't go to plan and their romance ended for good in 2013.
11 of 31Made In Chelsea: Lucy Watson and Proudlock
Ah yes, Lucy and Proudlock. They were the most swoon-worthy couple in SW3... oh, until Lucy found out that Proudlock was dating other women.
12 of 31Love Island: Rykard Jenkins and Rachel Fenton
After meeting on the show in 2016, Rykard and Rachel lasted 18 months in the real world, a lot longer than most Love Island couples!
13 of 31Made In Chelsea: Rosie Fortescue and Hugo Taylor
When Hugo was dating Millie Mackintosh in the show, he hooked up with her best friend Rosie. Millie then raised her glass to a party full of guests and said 'cheers to friendship'. However, Hugo later reconnected with Millie and the pair MARRIED in July 2018. Almost two years later, Millie gave birth to their first child, a baby girl, in May 2020.
14 of 31TOWIE: Charlie Sims and Ferne McCann
These two were actually together for SIX YEARS! But after Charlie decided to quit TOWIE, he later publicly dumped Ferne on Twitter, with reports suggesting he made her choose between him and the show.
15 of 31The Hills: Justin Bobby and Audrina Patridge
Ever since Justin Bobby and Audrina split on The Hills, fans of the popular show have pleaded for them to rekindle their romance, even more so after Audrina announced she was divorcing her husband Corey Bohan.
16 of 31Made In Chelsea: Spencer Matthews and Lucy Watson
Spenny took Lucy to Paris in 2013 and we almost believed he had given up his womanising ways. We were wrong and he admitted to cheating on Lucy with several women. Spencer is now happily married with Vogue Williams and the pair have two adorable children together.
17 of 31TOWIE: Joey Essex and Sam Faiers
Another TOWIE couple which led to a failed engagement. Despite Sam and Joey dating from 2011, the pair didn't make it down to aisle, ending their relationship in 2014.
18 of 31Made In Chelsea: Spencer Matthews and Louise Thompson
Louise joined the show as Spencer's (very despairing) girlfriend. Spencer being Spencer, couldn't stay faithful and resulted in a fair few teary scenes between the pair.
19 of 31TOWIE: Gemma Collins and Charlie King
Perhaps one of the strangest couples ever to grace TOWIE, The GC dated Charlie King in series four, but Charlie later announced he was gay on live TV.
20 of 31Love Island: Tyla Carr and Jonny Mitchell
After breaking Camilla Thurlow's heart, a lot of Love Island fans forget that Jonny Mitchell later coupled up with Tyla Carr.Of course, the romance didn't last when they left the villa!
21 of 31Made In Chelsea: Alex Mytton and Binky Felstead
Binky and Alex were love's young dream (kind of) for two years until his constant cheating became unforgivable. It all worked out well though as she now has the cutest little baby girl with JP and is loved up with boyfriend Max Darnton.
22 of 31The Hills: Heidi Montag and Jordan Eubanks
Before she met, married and had a child with Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag actually dated a guy called Jordan Eubanks on the show. Their romance was played out during season one, before they split.
23 of 31TOWIE: Jess Wright and Ricky Rayment
Potentially one of the messiest break-ups in TOWIE history! After Jess and Ricky dated for two years, things seemed to be going well until Ricky was accused of texting other women. After the split, the pair ended up having a bitter Twitter war. Jess later found love with William Lee-Kemp and got engaged in March 2020.
24 of 31The Hills: Jayde Nicole and Brody Jenner
As well as his 'fake' relationships for the show with Lauren Conrad and Kristen Cavallari, Brody's romance with Jayde seemed pretty serious in 2008. Despite getting matching tattoos, the pair split in December 2009.
25 of 31TOWIE: Lauren Pope and Kirk Norcross
Series two of TOWIE saw the lovable Lauren Pope hooking up with Kirk Norcross. Despite the pair getting his and hers nose jobs', the pair split just weeks after.
26 of 31Love Island: Montana Brown and Alex Beattie
They were one of the hottest couples ever to grace our screens, but things didn't work out for Montana Brown and Alex Beattie when they left the villa in 2017. In fact, their romance lasted just six weeks.
27 of 31Geordie Shore: Vicky Pattison and Jay Gardner
Her time on the show may be best remembered for her turbulent relationship with Ricci Guarnaccio but Vicky Pattison's first Geordie Shore relationship was actually with Jay Gardner back in series one.They were attracted to each other as soon as they stepped in the house but decided they were better off as pals after a series of rows.
28 of 31Celebs Go Dating: Megan Barton-Hanson and Demi Sims
Love Island's Megan Barton-Hanson and TOWIE star Demi Sims hit it off when they both appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2019. Despite dating for a short time, the pair's romance was over before the series even ended.
29 of 31TOWIE: Bobby Norris and Harry Derbidge
He was one of the show's OG cast members but Harry Derbidge took a break from the TOWIE scene in 2011 before reappearing three years later (in some VERY skimpy swimwear) as Bobby Norris' boyfriend. It all ended in tears though when Harry confessed to sleeping with his ex on holiday in Tenerife.
30 of 31Celebs Go Dating: Charlotte Dawson and Frankie Cocozza
They sign up to date us normal folk but those Celebs Go Dating lot just can't resist breaking the rules and getting it on with each other, can they? In 2017, Charlotte Dawson hooked up with X Factor bad boy Frankie Cocozza but it didn't last once the show ended and she's now loved-up with rugby player Matt Sarsfield.
31 of 31Geordie Shore: Holly Hagan and James Tindale
She might be loved up with footballer fiancé Jacob Blyth now but back in series three of Geordie Shore, Holly Hagan enjoyed a fling with co-star James Tindale. Unfortunately, she was left heartbroken when he returned to the house for series four with a girlfriend.
The first boy I ever really, really fancied was called James. He was one of those popular guys who was also nice to the not-so-popular people. He was on the football team, had a spiky sticky up, quiff a la Simon from The Inbetweeners and was not interested in me in the slightest. So, obviously, when his less fanciable but way more attainable mate text me to ask ‘will u go out wiv me’, I replied ‘yeh ok’ because, well, I didn’t really have anything else going on and perhaps it would inspire James to pull his finger out and ask me out too.
That didn’t happen. But I did stick to my unenthusiastic commitment and dated his mate for a little bit and that was nice. And when I say 'date' I mean in the only sense that could ever be applied to thirteen-year-old definitions of such. We snogged a bit every now and again and it was compulsory to hold hands when walking between classes at school.
We then broke up because one of my mates very tentatively reminded me that I didn't actually like this kid and I didn't really enjoy the snogging bit. But we stayed friends and I later realised that he's actually way more attractive than dickhead James. Then, when I saw on Facebook that he and his girlfriend, the one that came after me, were still together, I felt a familiar twinge in my stomach. 'That could've been me', I thought.
I'm not saying I wanted to go back there, but there was a strange yearning to have that really special accolade that my subconscious tells me I should want - a lasting relationship with someone I've known forever.
Perhaps the misconception is that childhood sweethearts don't necessarily have to have formed in actual childhood. There's the argument that we all grow into people often dramatically different to who we were as kids. Our likes, dislikes, opinions and orientations are bound to change over time, particularly when as we muddle through that messy 'adolescent' period. And what happens when, on coming out the other side, you're not compatible with the person you started that initial journey with?
The appeal, I think, is time. There's comfort in ending up with someone who was there all along. With someone who you can share fond, silly memories of the stupid shit you did as kids, the things you over came to find yourselves at the top of the #couplegoals food chain. But then, on the other hand, who's to say you wouldn't look back on your time with someone you met in your twenties, thirtys, fourties with just as much admiration as the couple who first hooked up behind the bike sheds in year 9.
Finding a happily ever after with your childhood sweetheart is of course a beautiful, double-tap worthy thing, sure. But it's also pretty rare and is by no means the prerequisite for a dreamy relationship. I'll just be here trying to remind myself that, just because it worked for Ed Sheeran, I do not need to drunkenly message my backlog of teenage love interests in hopes of something as idyllic as he has.
Follow Jazmin on Instagram@JazKopotsha
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.