• The Vampire Diaries •

5 Most Romantic Moments of All Time

The Vampire Diaries knows how to do romance. At its center, stands an epic love triangle that has managed to keep fans interested — more than that, passionate — for four-and-a-half seasons and counting. And that’s not even taking into account any of the other compelling love stories on this show. In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are the five more romantic moments in TVD history. 

Elena tells Stefan not to hide (Season 1, Episode 10)

Stefan and Elena have had so many epic moments over the course of TVD, but one of our absolute favorites came early on when the couple first has sex. In the episode, Stefan is planning on leaving Mystic Falls for good… until Elena convinces him to stay by telling him she loves him. They make out and, when Stefan goes into vamp mode and tries to look away, Elena won’t let him. “Don’t hide from me,” she tells him. They stare into one another’s eyes as “Cut” by Plumb plays in the background and it’s beautiful. Also, it happens to be Paul Wesley’s favorite Stelena scene, too!

Caroline stays with Tyler during his first transition (Season 2, Episode 11)

Though Forwood may be in dire straits right now, when they were good, they were reallygood. Their romance blossomed in the most unconventional way: while Tyler was struggling to deal with his transformation into a werewolf. During his first full moon, Caroline stays with him until he turns, even though one bite from him would kill her. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere,” she tells him while cradling his body. Fact: Caroline is the best at loving people.

Klaus intends to be Caroline’s last love (Season 4, Episode 23)

After a season of sexual tension and unrequited horse drawings, Klaus returns in the Season 4 finale of TVD for Caroline’s high school graduation. That’s right: He’s an immortal hybrid who has lived for centuries, and he’s making a road trip to see his not-girlfriend in a cap and gown. Throw in the fact that he managed to save Caroline and company from a gaggle of revenging resurrected baddies, and you’ve one of the best entrance ever. But it’s one of Klaus’ parting lines that really make this scene oh-so-romantic: “[Tyler’s] your first love. I intend to be your last.”

Elena isn’t sorry for loving Damon (Season 4, Episode 23)

The Season 4 finale is chock full of romance! In addition to the Klaroline moment, we also have this game-changing, uber romantic scene between Damon and Elena. When he tells her that, “There’s no apology in the world that encompasses all of the reasons I’m wrong for you,” she launches her own passionate argument about just how much she loves him and wants to be with him:  “I’m not sorry that I met you. I’m not sorry that knowing you have made me question everything. And that, in death, you’re the one who made me feel most alive … I am not sorry that I’m in love with you.” Swoon.

Rebekah saves Matt (Season 4, Episode 23)

One for the short-term romancers out there! If there’s anyone in the TVDuniverse who is dying to be in love, it’s probably Rebekah. And, if there’s anyone who deserves to be in love, it’s probably Matt. These two might not have shared an epic romance, but that didn’t make their brief time together any less romantic. In the Season 4 finale (What? It was a romantic episode), an immortal Rebekah volunteers to get blown up for Matt, but because he is too noble to let her, she has to distract him into it. “The first rule of truly living: do the thing you’re most afraid of,” she tells Matt before pulling him in for an epic kiss. It might not have been true love, but this ephemerally romantic moment is still one of our faves.

The Vampire Diaries returns Thursday, February 

27 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.