Dua Lipa and Zendaya Are Proof That the Real Rom-Coms Are Actually Happening IRL

Like everyone else on the internet, my phone blew up on May 31 as paparazzi photos of Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s nuptials at Marylebone Town Hall circled social media. The couple, totally in love as always, gave us another glimpse into their dreamy relationship as they exited the town hall surrounded by friends and family.

It’s been a love story for the ages, an initial encounter that was sparked by them reading the same book at the same time. Then there was a photo at a cozy restaurant where Dua’s eyes sparkled as she smiled at Callum—in a moment you usually will only see in the movies—and his sweet reaction was spotted in the mirror right behind her. That was followed by a video of them dancing in Paris by the Eiffel Tower in the middle of the night like not a single other person was around. Red carpets and concerts and vacanzas galore followed. They proved that not only can you be a famous pop star and a strong contender for a future Bond film, but you can also do it while totally head over heels in love with someone who can match your success and energy.

At the same time, Tom Holland and Zendaya have their own fairy tale going on, including speculation about their mysterious wedding. As the two get ready for their upcoming press tours for The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Tom announced a new line of drinks from his nonalcoholic brand, BERO, made specifically for Zendaya.

“To be honest, I created the BERO Shandy for Z,” he said in a press release. “She’s never been a beer drinker, so I wanted to bring something new to the table that she could enjoy.”

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Maybe it’s because the bar for men is simply on the floor or maybe it’s because I’m a total romantic, but these two stories happening at the exact same time with so much love and thoughtfulness between them truly has me believing in love again.

I live in romance. From the TV series I watch (Off Campus to Rivals) to the books I read (hello, Cosmo Reads!) to the video games I play (throwback to my Love and Deepspace confession), it is something that I have always consumed. But in my perpetually single life, it has felt like a fantasy, something that I have chased largely through these fictional avenues, always feeling that I will never be able to find the real thing.

Part of it is simply that dating nowadays is difficult. I’m a person who would love to fall for someone I meet IRL versus on an app, but the current landscape definitely leans more toward the latter. Another is that I have long prioritized my career, friendships, travel, and other parts of my life rather than trying to find that one partner in my life. Then there are the high expectations that often come with book boyfriends and the fictional characters in these worlds. But if there’s anything that these two couples have taught us, it’s that all of this can be true at the same time.

While we’ve seen this in many rom-coms throughout the years, it’s always felt fictional. A fantasy that we all fall for but not one that’s meant to actually happen. But if there’s anything that Dua and Callum, and Tom and Zendaya have proven to us, it’s that it can very much be real. Now I’m thinking it can happen to me, too.