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It has been a year with many ups and downs for Vilde Aarset, 26, from Stavanger. In the midst of a global pandemic, he found love with Britain’s Hatti Bailey and the two have been talking daily since February.
But restrictions, quarantine measures, and increased infection have repeatedly halted travel plans, and thus the couple have never met in real life.
– It was sad and difficult. “We are so looking forward to meeting,” says Aarset.
CHALLENGE: Vilde says it has been a challenge not being able to meet. Photo: Private
Now luck has finally turned and on Christmas Eve, Vilde will meet Hatti for the first time.
– It will be almost like in a movie. Some people probably think we are completely crazy that we have become lovers without ever meeting, but I have never had any doubts, says Aarset.
I talked all day
It was Hatti who first got in touch with Vilde on Twitter.
Vilde wrote that she was going to take a long bus trip and needed something to do. I texted and we never stopped talking after that, says Bailey.
The chemistry was there from the get-go, and a couple of messages quickly turned into hour-long FaceTime conversations.
– We talk every day, from the moment we get up until we go to bed. I’m so glad we met just before the world turned upside down, says Aarset.
SEVEN HOURS: Once, Vilde and Hatti talked together for more than seven hours. Photo: Private
Love and crown
As love flourished, the contagious situation in Europe became more and more dramatic. Therefore, it became difficult to arrange a meeting.
– The plan was to wait to be together until we met for the first time, but our travel plans were canceled over and over again, says Aarset.
HIGHS AND DOWNS: Vilde and Hatti have supported each other through ups and downs. Photo: Private
In the end, Vilde decided that he couldn’t wait any longer and asked Hatti if they were going to be dating.
– I never had doubts. It’s so obvious that we belong together, says Bailey.
Many have felt loneliness and isolation during the crown crisis. Therefore, Hatti and Vilde are grateful to have had each other.
– It is a bit absurd to have a girlfriend in the middle of a pandemic, but there is also something very good about it. I live alone and I would have felt very lonely if I didn’t have Hatti. She has meant it all, says Aarset.
Rejected everywhere
Hatti works as a cake decorator at a London bakery, but turned herself in at the last minute to get to a Christmas celebration in Norway. The parents support her decision to abandon the Christmas celebrations in England and prefer to go to Norway to meet Vilde in full.
After ten days in a quarantine hotel in Stavanger, she is ready to meet Vilde on Christmas Eve.
– It becomes completely unreal to finally see us. I can hardly believe it, says Bailey.
KORONA: Through FaceTime and messages, the couple have kept each other company during the crown crisis. Photo: Private
Christmas celebration with in-laws
However, it is not just his girlfriend Vilde who is eagerly awaiting meeting Hatti for the first time. Through FaceTime, the two girls have already been digitally reunited with their friends and family.
Now the whole Vilde family is ready to meet Hatti in real life and she is welcomed to the family Christmas dinner.
– It will be a bit strange meeting the in-laws the same day I meet my boyfriend for the first time, but I feel like I already know them, says Bailey.
Hatti has never been to Norway before, but will be here for almost a month.
– It gets incredibly emotional. We have been dreaming about this for a long time. No nerves, I just want to see her, says Aarset.
