Reconnected with an old holiday romance dating back over 15 years, the situation that ensued took an unanticipated turn.
Eyes locking on the dancefloor. Sipping drinks on the beach while side by side. Attempting to scale a mountain in the middle of the night. Swimming under the cover of darkness. Laughing together as they dashed across the sandy beaches.
"I remember thinking, he's an extraordinary individual, from the moment I met him," Alex shares with CNN Travel today. "You know when you meet someone and you're just on the same wavelength? It was so effortless to converse with Ola. It just felt perfectly suited."
"When I saw Alex, I was taken aback," Ola tells CNN Travel. "I had a crush on her the instant we met. She was always a unique person to me, since that very first evening."
For over fifteen years, Alex and Ola were out of touch, living separate lives, blissfully in relationships with other people. They seldom thought of one another. When they did, it was with a fond nostalgia for a night they'd never forget, but had pushed firmly into the past.
Fast-forward to 2020 and Alex and Ola both found themselves single. An unexpected message sparked feelings and kickstarted an unexpected second chapter.
An unforgettable night
Alex and Ola's paths crossed when they were in their mid-twenties, both vacationing on the island of Ko Phi Phi, Thailand – famous for its white sand beaches and striking limestone cliffs, all surrounded by crystal-clear blue water.
It was 2004. Alex, a German native who'd just left her London-based fashion PR position to travel the world with her best friend, met Ola, a Swedish engineering student spontaneously exploring southeast Asia. Alex and Ola crossed paths in a crowded bar and spent the entire night together on the island.
"We were only meant to share that one evening," Alex recalls. "I was set to leave Ko Phi Phi the following morning. We didn't even exchange contact information."
However, Alex and her friend missed their morning ferry. Realizing they wouldn't catch the next one until the following day, the two women returned to their hostel. They happened upon Ola while walking down the street. Alex remembers Ola's gleaming smile when he unexpectedly reappeared.
"It was incredibly fortunate that Alex missed that ferry," Ola says today.
Alex and Ola made plans to hang out again that evening, hitting several bars and beaches before Alex and her friend managed to catch their ferry the following day. This time, Alex made sure to provide Ola with her email address. The two travelers promised to stay in touch. There was even talk of Ola and Alex reuniting later in Bali.
"But that didn't happen," says Alex.
"We ran out of money," Ola explains. "So we never made it to Bali."
Instead, Alex and Ola kept in touch over the next few months via email and instant messenger, updating one another on their respective journeys.
"We were practically messaging every day," recalls Alex. "We were in contact a lot throughout our Southeast Asia travels. Then I headed to America for another three months, and Ola went back to Sweden, but we seemed to keep emailing and stay connected."
When Alex returned to London in the winter of 2004, Ola promptly booked a plane ticket to visit her.
"He came for a long weekend with one of his best friends," Alex recalls. "But nothing really came from it."
Both Alex and Ola returned from their London reunion a little disappointed. Their connection in Thailand had felt unique and special, and they'd both looked forward to one another's emails. The idea that they didn't have a future felt bittersweet.
"I guess it's just not the right time," was Alex's conclusion.
As for Ola, he felt that a relationship with Alex was beyond reach – despite his feelings for her.
"As I said, I had a crush on Alex from the moment I first saw her, and I thought she was an incredible person and beautiful woman," Ola says. "But I also felt she was so cool, so beautiful, living in another city far away from me – it seemed a bit unattainable for me."
Despite the bittersweet London visit, Alex and Ola remained good friends and continued their correspondence. When Facebook took off, they connected there.
"But then, life happened," Ola says. "We were in touch less and less, talked less and less..."
Eventually, the emails diminished. Alex commenced a relationship with a man in London. Then Ola fell in love, married, and had children with someone else. They remained connected on social media, but never interacted online. Alex wasn't even aware that Ola was married – he barely posted anything, and he was no longer on her radar.
For over a decade, Alex and Ola placed one another firmly in the past – a cherished memory of their twenties, but nothing more.
Then one day, Alex sent Ola an unexpected message.
"So, why did I send that message? Who knows," mutters Alex, pondering the incident. "I reckon it was because of Facebook's divine intervention. You see, I was scrolling through Facebook around his birthday or the day after, only to find loads of congratulatory messages on his profile. Figured I'd join in and wish him 'happy birthday'. Simple as that."
When the message popped up on his screen, Ola was caught off guard. Fresh off a divorce and considering a dive back into the dating pool, he found himself in an unusual situation.
"I was freakin' nervous, man," he recalls. "Couldn't tell if I should even respond. Thought to myself, 'What's Alex doing messaging me?' All sorts of feelings rushing through me, 'cause of our little get-together in Thailand."
Dropping all caution, Ola fumbled a friendly reply.
"And that's how our chat began," he chuckles.
Strangely enough, the magical connection they shared on the beach in Ko Phi Phi resurfaced as if time had stood still for them. It was like no time had passed, yet, it felt as though the timing was just right. They started chatting about meeting up in person then and there.
"Fast forward four weeks, and there I was, standing in a Berlin hotel lobby, trying to figure out if I should check-in first or leap into his arms," chuckles Alex. "Reconnecting felt completely natural — thrilling, yet so familiar."
Ola gushed about the moment he laid his eyes on her again, after nearly two decades apart.
"It was surreal, and freakin' thrilling," he admits.
They spent their weekend in Berlin roaming the parks, munching on al fresco meals, and catching up on lost time.
"We hit it off straight away, and had the best weekend," says Alex.
Determined not to delay happiness, they decided to make their relationship official, realizing that life was too short to hold out for tomorrow.
"We made up our minds real quick that we wanted to be together," explains Alex.
Summer 2020 saw them meeting every four or five weeks, depending on the lockdown rules and visiting each other in London and Sweden.
"In the fall, I met his kids, who I instantly adored," says Alex.
Within six months of reconnecting, Alex took the plunge and moved her life—including her beloved dog, Wolfgang—to Sweden, never looking back.
"It all happened pretty fast, but it felt right," says Alex. "Ever since I first met him, I've always believed he's a special individual. And that special feeling I had for him back then, it only intensified with time."
Ola beamed, reminiscing about inviting her to move in with him.
"I was head-over-heels in love," he confesses. "Didn't even consider the what-ifs. I just wanted to be with her as soon as possible."
Being sensitive to the children and ex-wife's feelings, Ola thought through everything thoroughly.
"I took my time to reassess the situation with the kids," says Ola. "I wanted to make sure it all worked out well for everyone involved."
Accepting Ola's children into her heart didn't take long for Alex.
"He's an amazing father and an even better person," she says. "His love for his children is just beautiful to see."
Fast-forward a year after moving homes, they purchased a house together in Malmö, Sweden, and are still enjoying a blissful life together. Alex is running a dog training center, while Ola teaches.
"Moving to Sweden was a no-brainer for me," says Alex. "Although I miss London at times, our love story makes me feel incredibly lucky."
This past July, they celebrated four years since their reunion.
"When I think back to that night we met, I'm a bit scared," says Ola. "We met on the dance floor, had a fantastic time, but didn't exchange contact details. Luck must have been on our side that night, and everything else fell into place from there."
"The universe brought us together," nods Alex. "It gave us two opportunities, and we took them. We share a 20-year history, yet at the same time, don't."
On the wall of their Malmö home, they have a clear picture frame—a transparent one that holds two photos. On one side is their first, slightly drunken photo from Thailand, back when they were in their 20s. They always thought it would be their last photo together. On the other side, it's a recent photo of their lives in Malmö, smiling together, happy and in love.
"We switch 'em up every once in a while, been doing it for about two decades now, and it's a blast," mentions Alex. "Our connection, it's sort of maintained that same vibe from back in 2004, but with an upgrade - now we've truly gotten to know one another."
"Reminiscing about their shared past, Alex and Ola often discuss their unforgettable night in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand, where they first met and traveled together, exploring white sand beaches and dancing under the stars."
"After rekindling their friendship in 2020, Alex and Ola decided to make the most of their second chance at love, with travels becoming an integral part of their relationship, as they enjoyed exploring new destinations together."
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