American Woman Flees to English Countryside to Clear Her Mind. Instead She Finds Love with Airbnb Host’s Son

• Megan, an American living in London who prefers not to share her last name, sought refuge in the English countryside after watching her California hometown get ravaged by the devastating fires from abroad
• What turned out to be a way to clear her mind from the heartbreaking reality turned into an unexpected love story between her and her Airbnb host’s son
• She documented their love story in a viral TikTok, and now, the pair are in a relationship

Megan’s latest story began as she sought a mental break from watching the devastating Eaton fire in Pasadena, Calif., ravage her hometown. Despite being physically distant — working in London at the time — the emotional toll was immense. Her workplace recognized her distress and encouraged her to take a break. 

“I wasn’t a big city girl,” Megan explains exclusively to PEOPLE, “and whenever I’m wanting to recharge and rejuvenate myself, I feel like I always want to go into nature and somewhere slightly more secluded.” 

Megan ultimately chose an Airbnb in a rural area, which she was initially drawn to by the host’s background as a therapist. 

Upon arrival, Megan was greeted by the host’s son, who offered to drive her from the train station. Initially, she thought of the situation as something out of a Hallmark movie, but her guard was up. 

However, during their car ride, the two had a natural banter, which made their interaction easy and enjoyable. While he simply dropped her off, he mentioned that everything she may need including dinner was a drive away — and he offered to help. 

At first Megan declined, but as the evening approached, she grew hungry with no way of getting to the city. The host’s son offered once more to take her to dinner, to which she accepted. 

“I was like, ‘I don’t want to impose,’ but he was persistent,” Megan recalls. It was during this dinner that they began to open up about more vulnerable topics, finding a deeper connection in their shared experiences and outlook on life. 

“I was trying to stay in the present and not get too attached,” Megan says. Yet, as the night progressed, their connection grew stronger. After dinner, as they drove back to the Airbnb, and he asked if he could kiss her, marking the beginning of their romantic journey. 

A memorable moment came when they discovered their shared love for Chris Stapleton’s song “Starting Over,” which was a coincidence that further bonded them. They spend the rest of the weekend together, and despite her intentions of solitude, Megan found herself looking forward to more time with him. 

The Airbnb host was supportive of their budding relationship. Megan had initially planned to meet her to discuss somatic body therapy, but after forming this instant connection with her son, she was nervous about how the interaction would go.

But, the mother’s warm response put her at ease — Megan recalls her saying, “I don’t think any of us could have expected this” — and she offered sweet sentiments of support. 

As for Megan’s family, they were cautiously optimistic, having witnessed her go through a previous heartbreak. They advised her to be careful but were supportive as they learned more about her new partner. 

The following weekend, Megan returned to the countryside, this time not as an Airbnb guest. There, she and her new paramour spent their time deepening their connection and exploring the surrounding area. 

Now, Megan and her partner are officially in a relationship, living just an hour apart. They see each other regularly and are focused on letting their relationship grow naturally, she says. Their story has also gone viral on TikTok, where it’s been viewed nearly 2 million times.

Megan says, “We don’t need each other, but we want each other … Neither of us need the other to make our whole lives whole, but we’re in the place where it’s like, we add value to each other.”

She continues, “I think it really is just that reminder of what healthy love should feel like. Healthy love should feel safe and it’s worth waiting … We’re continuing to strengthen our relationship and figure out what our goals are as a couple and see where that takes us.”