The Vampire Diaries: Stefan & Caroline's Relationship Timeline ...

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Summary

Elena and Stefan's love triangle turned into a surprising and meaningful romance with Damon's brother, Stefan, and Caroline taking the spotlight on their own romantic journey in The Vampire Diaries.
Stefan and Caroline's slow-burn romance offered a refreshing change from the typical enemies-to-lovers trope seen in the show, showcasing the importance of trust in a healthy relationship.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Stefan and Caroline's love story culminates in a bittersweet wedding that highlights their enduring promise to love each other forever in The Vampire Diaries.

Starting from when Caroline and Stefan get together, the relationship between the two changes, and it was never the same again. When The Vampire Diaries started, Stefan had eyes for one person — Elena. However, what was a tragic love triangle ended up turning into the true love between Elena and Stefan's brother Damon. This eventually led the writers to put Stefan and Caroline on a crash course for their own love story. While it wasn't one fans loved, it was still important to the story being told.

Whether or not viewers believe Stefan and Caroline are soulmates, there's no denying their love story was a refreshing change of pace in The Vampire Diaries. Enemies to lovers remains a common trope throughout the show's eight seasons, making Stefan and Caroline's slow-burn romance stand out from other couples. Although their first meeting isn't memorable, their slow start makes their ending more impressive. By reliving Steroline's key moments, fans can discover how the couple fell in love.

Split image of Samantha, Jeremy, Matt and Alaric in The Vampire Diaries.

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Season 1: A Rocky Start

Stefan Falls In Love With Elena And Rejects Caroline's Advances

Stefan with Elena staring straight at the camera in Vampire Diaries

Caroline and Stefan are different people when they first meet each other, which is obvious from their early interactions. Caroline struggles to find her confidence and feels as if she lives in Elena's shadow. Stefan rejecting Caroline to pursue Elena only furthers the belief that she is inferior and everyone's "backup" option. It's clear Stefan develops a fondness for Caroline, but their interactions are few and far between. Stefan can't picture himself with anyone other than Elena, and Caroline attempts to form a relationship with Matt after being used by Damon.

Season 2: Caroline Turns

Stefan Helps Caroline Through Her Transition

Stefan's declaration of protection to Caroline gives her the reassurance she needs and relates to her in a way she never expected. Caroline spends the first season in the dark about the supernatural, so waking up as a vampire is especially jarring. Stefan helps her through her transition and offers his friendship when Bonnie turns her back. It becomes clear that their Yin and Yang personalities contrast well. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 fortifies a solid foundation of trust between them, which is vital to any healthy relationship.

Season 3: Time Spent Apart

Stefan Leaves Town And Caroline Dates Tyler

Caroline and Tyler at the school in The Vampire Diaries.

Despite everything Stefan does after leaving town with Klaus, Caroline never stops believing in him. Their friendship only strengthens, as Caroline is one of the few people who can look past his mistakes and see Stefan for who he is at his core. The two don't spend a lot of time together, as The Vampire Diaries focuses more heavily on Caroline's budding romance with Tyler yet Caroline pushes Elena towards Stefan when she's torn between the Salvatores, believing that Stefan is the superior brother.

Season 4: The Start Of A Romance

Caroline Helps Stefan Through His Break-Up With Elena

Stefan standing in front of Caroline and Elena in The Vampire Diaries.

Caroline struggles to comprehend how Elena could fall out of love with Stefan in The Vampire Diaries season 4. Her support for Stefan raises a few eyebrows, as Caroline takes their breakup rather personally. This is partly due to Caroline's past with Damon and the cruel way he treated her. However, Caroline is genuinely confused that someone wouldn't want to be with someone as incredible as Stefan.

At times, Caroline seems to be projecting her feelings onto Elena, despite never acknowledging them for what they are. The two only continue to grow closer, as Caroline is the only thing holding Stefan together after Elena breaks his heart.

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Season 5: The Close Friendship

Stefan And Caroline Are Best Friends

Stefan and Caroline fall asleep together in The Vampire Diaries.

Following Stefan's memory loss and Caroline's breakup with Tyler, the two become inseparable. Although no one can replace Lexi, Stefan notices a resemblance between Caroline and his deceased friend, Lexi. When Stefan and Lexi reunite on the Other Side, Lexi questions Stefan about their relationship. Caroline's romantic feelings for Stefan aren't voiced, but it doesn't require too much squinting to see them start to appear. Yet, Stefan still shows no indication that what he and Caroline have goes beyond friendship.

Season 6: They Finally Kiss

Stefan And Caroline Kiss, But It's Complicated

Stefan and Caroline have their first kiss in The Vampire Diaries.

The way Caroline feels about Stefan becomes so obvious that everyone, except Stefan, can see it. It's difficult to watch Caroline pine over someone who doesn't reciprocate, but Stefan comes around. After they share their first kiss, Sheriff Forbes dies and Caroline turns off her humanity. Rather than talking about what's transpired, Caroline forces Stefan to turn off his emotions as well, and the two hook up. It's not the best way to start a new romance, but Stefan eventually promises to wait until Caroline's ready.

Season 7: Caroline And Stefan Get Together

Stefan And Caroline Are On And Off

Stefan and Caroline kissing in bed in The Vampire Diaries.

Caroline and Stefan finally get together in The Vampire Diaries Season 7. After seasons of will they/won't they, the two officially start a relationship. However, the show simultaneously tells the story of their new romance, while flash-forwarding to a future in which Stefan and Caroline aren't on speaking terms. It was a Steroline shipper's dream manifesting as their worst nightmare. Supernatural forces often cause problems that are beyond their control.

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Caroline carrying Alaric and Jo's twins creates complications between them, as Caroline comes to see the girls as her own. On top of the complex family dynamic, Stefan goes on the run with Valerie to escape Rayna Cruz. In this case, distance does not make the heart grow fonder. Caroline resents Stefan for leaving, despite his pure intentions, and gets engaged to Alaric. The two find their way back to each other by the end of the season, but viewers are forced to endure a wild ride.

Season 8: The Culmination Of Their Love Story

Stefan And Caroline Get Married

The final season of The Vampire Diaries manages to be the most epic and heartbreaking period for Steroline's romance. Stefan proposes to Caroline twice and the two finally marry in season 8, episode 15, "We're Planning a June Wedding." This callback to the pilot is especially sentimental, given the evolution of their relationship.

Things may have been drastically different, but Caroline predicted their wedding the day they met. However, The Vampire Diaries would never end without sacrifice, and Stefan gives his life to save Mystic Falls. Caroline becomes a wife and widow on the same day, but their promise to love each other forever withstands the test of time.

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