My secret pandemic romance was a real-life rom-com
Love in the time of corona.
The coronavirus pandemic may have torpedoed many a relationship, but a lucky few managed to find a soulmate amid the sickness.
A UK woman shared the unlikely tale of how she fell in love with a New York co-worker she moved in with during quarantine — and kept their ensuing romance a secret from other colleagues for a whole year.
“[Initially] there was no romantic attraction on either end and we were both just friendly people who got on well,” Holly Sandberg, 28, told Jam Press of her lockdown love story, which she documented in a March TikTok video that has racked up more than 2.3 million views.
The coronavirus romance was set in motion in 2020 after the market researcher moved from London to New York City for work.
While Sandberg previously had only been to the US once, she wanted to get outside her comfort zone. Thankfully, the New York office had an opening.
After settling into her position, she befriended a fellow newcomer named Cam, whom she knew from across the pond.
“Cam is a dual citizen and worked in the UK office for six months, although our paths rarely crossed there,” the new ex-pat explained. “Our company moved him a couple of weeks after me and we became friends as we shared that experience of being ‘newbies’ in the office.”
“All of my friends back home kept saying we would end up together, but I was adamant that it wouldn’t happen.”
For the next two weeks, the pair would regularly grab lunch together and spend time exploring the city.
The Londoner recounted one time after work when the co-workers visited Central Park together and “spent three hours chatting and taking pictures of the moon.”
Despite their “blossoming friendship,” Sandberg insisted there was initially no romantic attraction between her and Cam, who, at four years her junior, seemed more like a “younger brother” than a potential paramour.
Then the pandemic hit five weeks into her stay, changing everything forever.
![“[Initially] there was no romantic attraction on either end and we were both just friendly people who got on well," said Holly Sandberg.](https://24hbongdda.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/romcom-26.jpg)
As she had very few friends in the Big Apple, Sandberg wasn’t sure how to react, so she turned to her mom for advice.
“I phoned my mum and said that I didn’t know what to do, as I didn’t know anyone in or out of the city,” she said. “We knew that flights were getting canceled, so it would be difficult to get back.”
The bewildered gal added: “I thought my American adventure was done after just a few weeks.”
Thankfully, her mom saved the day by suggesting that she ask to stay with her work pal, Cam, who was residing in New Jersey with his dad, Rick, Jam Press reported.
While initially hesitant as it seemed like a “giant ask,” Sandberg “eventually agreed with her and spent a long time crafting the message.”
Thankfully, Sandberg’s new bestie responded quickly, saying that, if she felt comfortable, she could self-isolate with them for a week until things blew over.
The Brit packed two weeks’ worth of clothes and boarded a train to New Jersey, where, as things played out, she’s lived ever since.
Due to their corresponding work and living schedules, Cam and Sandberg spent nearly every waking moment together — even while Sandberg was recovering at their home following neck surgery. Their shared activities included walks, kayaking, night cookouts on the beach and other hobbies straight out of a rom-com montage.
What started out as a mere friendship quickly bloomed into a full-fledged, remote-working romance for the ages.
“I realized how much of an incredible person he was, as it’s rare to spend that much time with someone and genuinely enjoy every moment of it,” said Sandberg, who can’t help but gush about her beau. “All of my friends back home kept saying we would end up together, but I was adamant that it wouldn’t happen.”
The lovestruck gal added, “After four weeks, I texted my friend: ‘I spend all day with this man and each night I go to bed, I can’t wait to see him again the next day.’”
Their relationship became official the next day after Cam’s dad left the house and the corona-crossed lovers were lying together during a yoga sesh.
“That’s when I leaned over and kissed him. Everything felt so right, like it was natural for us,” said Sandberg. “We fell in love very slowly and it was like we skipped all the dating drama, as I already knew him intimately.”
The lovebirds initially snuck around behind Cam’s dad’s back for several months while figuring things out. Per Cam’s request, the couple also only told a few colleagues about their surreptitious relationship, effectively allowing them to exist in their “own little loved-up bubble for a whole summer,” said Sandberg, fawning over the recollection.
They didn’t spill the beans to co-workers until a year later, when Sandberg left the company.
The smitten gal has since chronicled her and Cam’s corona romance in a series of TikTok videos, including one in which she summed up the whirlwind saga by re-enacting the initial text conversation that led to them living together.
“Me: moves from London to New York then panics as I watch the whole city shut down with a global panderama,” she wrote in the clip’s caption. “My new American colleague: I know you’re totally alone here, do you want to come stay with me at my dad’s until this passes?”
“We fell in love very slowly and it was like we skipped all the dating drama, as I already knew him intimately.”
Accompanying photos show the self-isolating soulmates doing everything together, from taking bike rides and sitting at the beach with Cam and his father to dressing in festive pajamas on Christmas Day.
TikTok commenters were over the moon about their love story, which many compared to a real-life rom-com.
“What in the romcom,” said one, while another wrote, “I’d watch the absolute HELL out of this show/movie.”
“Sell the movie rights, buy his dad a house and yourselves a house,” suggested one fan.
“From the moment I set foot in Cam’s house, my life has felt like I’m living a story out of a beautiful romance film,” Sandberg concurred.
In the future, the soulmates plan to embark on their first visit to the UK as a couple.
“We’re at a super exciting time as my visa is finally moving which means we can go to the UK together for the first time,” Sandberg said. “He’ll finally be able to meet all my family and friends and as travel is something that has been a real passion for us both, we’re planning a lot of adventures right now.”
In a similar love story that began once-upon-a-COVID lockdown in 2020, “Survivor” contestant Kellyn Bechtold managed to land a lover on Bumble while traveling in Spain mere days before the virus hit, prompting shutdowns and trapping her abroad.
![“[Initially] there was no romantic attraction on either end and we were both just friendly people who got on well," said Holly Sandberg.](https://24hbongdda.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/romcom-26.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768)
