While these on-screen lovers have certainly shared their ups and downs over the years, from the good to the bad, they show us how love really can conquer all.
From old favourites who have been married for decades, to new lovers we’ve only just met, these couples have shown us the real meaning of true love.
So take a trip down memory lane and meet the 17 amazing TV couples who taught our younger selves how to love.
Patrick Reid and Nina Proudman – Offspring
Patrick (Matthew Le Nevez) was the calming force in Nina’s (Asher Keddie) crazy and chaotic life, but all that came to an end when Patrick got hit by a car and passed away during surgery. (It’s still hard for us to talk about.) Despite her heartache, this love story continued to live on in Nina’s mind as she gave birth to their first child a few weeks after his death.
Ben and Melissa Rafter – Packed To The Rafters
From the moment Ben (Hugh Sheridan) laid eyes on Melissa (Zoe Ventoura), he’d already fallen head-over-heels in love. Through thick and thin, it seemed this young couple could survive anything as long as they were together. Overcoming drunken one-night stands to the pressures of married life, Ben and Melissa seemed destined to be. But our hearts broke when in an unexpected turn of events in the third season, Mel meet an untimely death caused by a car accident.
Phil and Claire Dunphy – Modern Family
Phil (Ty Burrell) is the goofy and fun-loving father while Claire (Julie Bowen) likes to run a tight ship. Despite their striking personality differences, this couple are one of our favourite duos on TV. We see them trying to handle their three kids and crazy fam, while also getting some much needed alone time to themselves.
Karl and Susan Kennedy – Neighbours
Having been married for 20 years, Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan (Jackie Woodburne) have been through everything from affairs to several separations, and even near-death experiences. If they can survive all that, they can survive anything.
Jim and Pam Halpert – The Office
Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam’s (Jenna Fischer) banter in the first season gave us a glimpse that they’d turn out to be more than friends. We went through will-they or –won’t-they phases for five-plus seasons but the loveable pair finally got hitched with an impromptu dance party down the aisle.
Nick Ryan and Tess McLeod – McLeod’s Daughters
Tess (Bridie Carter) and Nick (Myles Pollard) were the great love story of the show, so when they finally walked down the aisle, it brought a tear to our eyes. We were even MORE emotional when Nick returned to Drovers Run after a plane crash (Tess thought he was dead), and the two lovebirds flew off to Argentina together.
Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser – Outlander
When Claire (Caitriona Balfe) accidentally travels back through time to 1743 Scotland, she didn’t expect to meet the love of her (past? present?) life. Jamie and Claire’s love for each other is so fierce that it will make them walk to the ends of the earth to be together.
Sandy and Kirsten Cohen – The O.C
Sure, we could have said Seth and Summer, but the relationship between Sandy (Peter Gallagher) and Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) made us believe in marriage. Although the couple went through some troubles (Kirsten’s alcoholism and depression after losing her dad, and Sandy’s work life), they stuck by each other’s side through it all.
Carrie and Mr Big
Carrie Bradshaw and Mr Big – Sex And The City
Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mr Big (Chris Noth) had a roller coaster romance. They cheated on their partners to be with each other, then Big kinda left Carrie at the altar. But there’s no denying that these two are destined to be together!
Scott and Charlene Robinson – Neighbours
Scott (Jason Donovan) was the golden boy of Ramsay Street who came across Charlene (Kylie Minogue) after she arrived in the neighbourhood from Queensland. At first the two hated each other, but soon the young couple couldn’t get enough of each other. Their wedding was the penultimate episode of Neighbours for years to come.
Angel and Buffy Summers – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
There is no TV couple who can compare to Angel (David Boreanaz) and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), mostly because Buffy is a Vampire slayer and well, Angel is a vampire. While Buffy always sought committed relationships, she soon found herself in a dangerous position with Angel, but their love was so exceptional that they couldn’t deny it. However in the end, their relationship was more of a fantasy than a reality and so broke up.
Shane and Angel Parrish – Home and Away
As a runaway teen, Angel (Melissa George) found herself in Summer Bay in 1993 where she met and fell in love with Shane (Dieter Brummer). Although the pair briefly broke up when Shane discovered that Angel had a son, the couple soon got back together. But hey, this is Home And Away and of course tragedy has to strike. Shane was later involved in a motorbike accident, and died in his pregnant wife’s arms.
Ross Geller and Rachel Green – Friends
It only took a season and a half for Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) to get together, but like most couples, they faced some challenges in their relationship. Although the pair took several ‘breaks’ and had little baby Emma together, they were destined for each other. When Rachel burst through Ross’ door in the series finale and muttered those iconic words “I got off the plane”, we had chills that lasted for days.
Al and Peggy Bundy – Married With Children
Entertaining us for 10 years until 1997, Al (Ed O’Neill) and Peggy (Katey Sagal) lit up our TV screens with their quirky and colourful bond. The couple often through insults at each other and were at war with how they looked after their two wild children, but beneath it all was evident love.
Toby Damon and Kate Pearson – This Is Us
Although this couple only recently hit our screens last year, Toby (Chris Sullivan) and Kate (Chrissy Metz) have quickly captured our hearts. Their relationship got off to a rocky start, but with Kate now (SPOILER ALERT) pregnant with his child, Toby says he is “Team Kate for life.”
Brendan and Molly Jones – A Country Practice
Molly (Anne Tenney) fell for Brendan (Shane Withington), the only male nurse of Wanden Valley Hospital. He brought out the softer side in Molly, so when she lost her battle with leukaemia after a blissful marriage, we were all traumatised.
Ricky and Lucy Ricardo – I Love Lucy
Although this sitcom ended in the 50s, the romance between Ricky (Dei Arnaz) and Lucy (Lucille Ball) is still something we admire today (and watch reruns of). Lucy was a mischievous redhead who drove her ambitious Cuban American husband crazy with her various antics. Through the birth of their child and a move to Hollywood, this couple were both charming and hilarious.
