Channel 4’s First Dates often leaves us squirming at how cringeworthy people can be on a blind date.
However, amongst all the hilarity and awkwardness, there are some truly romantic moments.
You know, the kind of real-life love stories that make our hearts just… well, just sing.
Here’s our pick of the most adorable couples ever to meet one another in the First Dates restaurant.
Fingers crossed there are lots more success stories to come, eh?
1. Sam and Sasha
You’d think the story of someone being STOOD UP on their nerve-wracking First Dates date would have an unhappy ending, but things certainly worked out for Sasha.
The unlucky dater was left shattered when maitre d' Fred Sirieixtold her that her date was a no show… but Sam, everyone’s favourite waiter, was on hand to be play the role of knight in shining armour.
Watching from the sidelines, he whispered to his colleagues that he thought Sasha was beautiful - and Fred leapt into action to match the duo up.
And things definitely picked up from there…
N’aww, it really WAS fate, wasn’t it?
2. Charlotte and Ben
Our hearts melted for Ben when he revealed that, after being left with a brain injury following a nightmarish moped accident, his life was completely transformed.
“When I meet a woman, it is sometimes difficult for them to see the brain injury,” he said, explaining that his confidence has been left shattered on more than one occasion.
But, when the First Dates matchmakers paired him up with fashion designer Charlotte, it seemed as if Ben’s luck was about to change.
Check out this cute snipped from their blind date if you don’t believe us:
The smitten kittens revealed that they would definitely like to see each other again… and melted hearts all across the nation.
And, judging by THIS picture, it seems as if things are still going well for the First Dates cuties.
LOVE IS REAL, PEOPLE!!!
3. Louis and Sophie
Dubbed the Moaning Myrtle and Harry Potter of First Dates by viewers, Louis and Sophie definitely made a big impression on the show.
He was searching for the sort of love all the poets wrote about in the past, while Sophie was on the hunt for a boy who resembled a “dying Victorian child”.
Hmm.
However fans were left stunned when the awkward couple’s nervous banter turned to genuine affection… and it was clear that there was a LOT of chemistry between them.
And viewers across the nation were overjoyed when the pair agreed to go on another date together.
Magical stuff, eh?
4. Frank and Catherine
Frank struggled with confidence in a very big way - and he was an absolute bag of nerves when he met Catherine for a first date.
However the pair soon found themselves bonding over their self-esteem issues - and Frank revealed that he had been left damaged by previous relationships.
Weren’t they adorable? We’re SO glad that Catherine said that she’d love another date with Frank.
5. Adam and Dan
Adam revealed to his date that he came out as gay after suffering a stroke at 22… and falling for a male nurse.
He said: “I went in hospital straight and came out gay’
“I shocked everyone when I came out. I was obsessed with Julia Roberts when I was at school and had posters of her all over my walls. Even now I fancy her but it’s like ‘foo foo’ yuk!”
Adam’s honesty definitely worked in his favour, with him and Dan ending the night with a snuggle.
And, seven weeks after their appearance, they confirmed to the world that they’re now in a committed relationship.
“It’s like the universe is pushing us together,” they explained.
N’aww!
6. Billy and Sandra
We fell in love with pensioner Billy the very first moment he arrived on First Dates - and our hearts melted when he admitted he was feeling lonely after the death of his wife three years earlier.
“I still dream about romance, and I wake up cuddling a pillow,” he admitted before his date, while hugging a photo album full of old photos.
He was matched up with Sandra, who proved to have a wild streak… and it wasn’t long before the pair were up and dancing in the First Dates restaurant.
Check it out:
The pensioners admitted they WOULD like to see each other again and arrived in the First Dates restaurant again for the Christmas special.
"I don’t think I’ve ever met any one as wild as Sandra,” a thankful Billy told us.
N’awwwwww!
7. Xanthi and Richard
We all saw Xanthi have his heart broken in the First Dates restaurant before, when he was paired up with a gay man who, in his own words, “hated gay men” and wished he was straight.
So his confidence was at an all time low when he arrived at the First Dates restaurant for a second attempt at finding love.
But it seemed as if Xanthi’s luck was about to change when he met hunky doctor Richard.
We all watched him catch sight of his date and blush furiously… but nerves got the better of him and he was oddly quiet throughout the meal.
Thankfully Richard saw past all that and fell head over heels for Xanthi!
After he admitted that he’d like to see Xanthi again, it was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders and, all of a sudden, he couldn’t stop talking.
“You’ve got really nice eyes,” he told Richard. “You’ve got really nice facial hair!”
Richard was just as gushing, responding with a VERY flirty: “I really enjoyed talking to you and looking at you…”
N’aww!
8. Naomi and Jo
Jo and Naomi found love after discussing everything from who’d carry their baby to why they ordered nuts.
But, despite this, they told The Debrief that, as soon as they were away from the cameras, sparks flew even more furiously.
Phew!
Naomi said: “I started to get to know her [in the taxi]. You still get to know them when you’re on the show and when you’re in the restaurant. But there’s some things where you still think, wait, I’m on camera still. I can’t discuss that now. So then when we got to know each other.”
The duo returned for the Christmas special, where it was revealed that they’re just as smitten now as they ever were.
Be still our beating hearts!
9. Sian and Nick
Nick was the ultimate gentleman when it came to love, admitting that he was obsessed with romantic movies.
So, when air hostess Sian said she liked cheeky chappies, we worried that they wouldn’t be a very good match.
But, thankfully, his Essex accent and charming personality played in his favour…
Check it out:
Could they be any more adorable?
The couple have spent Christmas together and met one another’s families… and it seems as if they truly have found The One.
Nick told us here at Closer magazine: "I'm a romantic guy, but I’d been single for a couple of years now and decided to apply for the show.
"I was really nervous before the date, but things flowed easily between us and I had an amazing time. It's going brilliantly now.
"I'm so glad I have met someone special."
10. Scott and Victoria
Well, duh - they did wind up getting ENGAGED on the show, after all!
Loved-up couple Scott and Victoria met on First Dates in 2015 - and there was a definite spark between them.
Just three months later, they were invited back to appear on the Christmas special… and Scott decided that it was time to pop the question.
Check out the iconic First Dates proposal now:
Cold he have BEEN any more nervous?!
Thankfully, she said yes - and the cute couple have already upgraded that Haribo ring for one with a proper diamond.
An updated from the First Dates team revealed that the wedding date has already been planned, and they will be tying the knot next Autumn.
Squeal!
BONUS: Megan and Steven
Honestly? We didn’t have high hopes for Megan and Steven at first… they just seemed a little too awkward around one another.
However one thing soon led to another and…
Well, and then Megan said this…
Our hearts nearly exploded, to be honest.
Things just got better from there; the unlikely couple bonded over their childhood aspirations, not to mention their determination to succeed.
And we LOVED how happy the athlete was to have businessman Steven laughing at her plethora of cheesy jokes.
In short? Pretty perfect.
We feel that, with ambition like this, Steven and Megan could go a long way together!!!
Which has been your favourite First Dates moment?
Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.
You may also wish to read: 20 shocking things you NEVER knew about First Dates