The love triangle between Elena Gilbert and vampire brothers Damon and Stefan Salvatore enthralled viewers during the early seasons of The Vampire Diaries. The popular CW series begins with Elena and Stefan falling in love after he returns to Mystic Falls, with his villainous brother not far behind him. Elena initially dislikes Damon, but the two gradually fall in love as their journey progresses.

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Elena remained with Damon in the end. The series concludes with a Delena reunion and a hopeful endgame for their characters. Still, it could be said that Elena truly belonged with Stefan, her first love, instead of his darker brother.

Damon: They Met First

Damon meets Elena in the street.

Viewers initially think that Stefan is the first Salvatore brother who Elena encounters in the pilot episode. Flash forward to season 3's "The Departed" and it is revealed that Elena actually met Damon first, long before his younger counterpart enrolled at Mystic Falls High.

Elena tells Damon via phone call that their romance could have worked out if she had met him first instead of Stefan. Unbeknownst to the Petrova doppelganger, Damon compelled her to forget their initial meeting before her parents' deaths.

Stefan: They Were Destined To Be Together

Stefan and Elena in The Vampire Diaries.

Elena and Stefan weren't just lovers; they were soulmates. Season 5 sheds new light on their epic romance, as well as the origins of the doppelgangers. Like their identical counterparts, Silas and Amara, Stefan and Elena's doppelganger heritage made them predestined to fall in love with each other.

Unlike Delena, Stelena had the power of fate on their side. They could have found their way back to each like their doppelganger descendants, fulfilling the will of destiny.

Damon: They Shared A Love That Consumed Them

Vampire Diaries Elena and Damon

During their first meeting, Damon tells Elena that he hopes she finds "a love that consumes [her.]" Their epic romance certainly lives up to his wishes. Elena is torn by her passion for the elder Salvatore brother before she eventually succumbs to her feelings.

Stefan and Elena shared a sweet, tender love. But Damon and Elena's romance was a sizzling union of electricity with overwhelming chemistry that leaped off the screen.

Stefan: He Helped Elena Heal After The Death Of Her Parents

Stefan Salvatore Elena Gilbert Cemetry

At the beginning of the series, Elena is still reeling from the tragic deaths of her parents, Grayson and Miranda Gilbert. Stefan encourages her recovery from the traumatic event and gives Elena a new appreciation for life.

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Elena later credits Stefan for helping her through her depressive period. Stefan ultimately did more good for Elena than Damon did by encouraging her happiness instead of causing her misery.

Damon: They Defied Destiny

Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore dance.

Given the fated nature of Elena and Stefan's relationship, Damon and Elena's love was all the more incredible for defying destiny. Qetsiyah tells the trio that, like Silas and Amara, Elena and Stefan will eventually reunite and ditch Damon for good.

Elena's relationship with Damon survives against the odds. The doppelganger rejects the path of destiny, as well as her lingering feelings for Stefan, to finally pursue happiness with Damon.

Stefan: They Wanted To Help People

Elena Gilbert Stefan Salvatore Decade Dance

Throughout The Vampire Diaries, Stefan proved himself to be more altruistic than his older brother. Stefan's compassion is one of the many similarities he shares with Elena. Both characters cared about other people and were more selfless than Damon.

Elena pursues a career in medicine by becoming a doctor in the later seasons. Had she stayed with Stefan, then both of them could have fulfilled their ultimate purpose by healing other people instead of hurting them.

Damon: He Became A Better Person For Elena

Damon compels Elena in TVD.

Damon wasn't always on the straight and narrow like Stefan, but he made efforts to change his behavior for Elena's sake. The elder Salvatore struggles with his moral compass during the series and eventually decides to be the best version of himself he can be for the woman he loves.

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Initially, Damon arrives in Mystic Falls as the first antagonist of the series, hurting and killing several people close to the Gilberts in Mystic Falls. Over time, Damon undergoes a redemption arc so he can be good enough to be with Elena.

Stefan: They Loved Each Other First

Stefan Elena Kiss

Stefan wasn't the first Salvatore who Elena encountered, though he was the first brother she fell in love with. Season 1 opens with the early days of their relationship. Stefan enrolls at Elena's school and the two students are drawn to each other, highlighting their mystical connection.

Elena and Stefan's romance survives overwhelming odds from antagonistic forces like Damon and Katherine. They may not have been the show's endgame romance, but they were the first ship to sail in the show.

Damon: They Grew Old Together

Elena Damon Dance

Damon and Elena face even more hardships during their tumultuous relationship. Ultimately, their love survives the supernatural shenanigans of Mystic Falls, and they find their way back to each other in the series finale "I Was Feeling Epic."

Elena is cursed by Kai during season 6 and placed into an enchanted coma. Thankfully, Bonnie finds a way to lift the curse in the final season. Elena awakens and reunites with Damon before they pursue a happy, human life together.

Stefan: He Was The Good Brother

Stefan and Elena holding each other in The Vampire Diaries.

From the first season, Stefan was presented as the 'good' brother, whereas Damon was his 'evil' counterpart. Stefan's morality is a strong quality that draws Elena to him; unlike Damon, whose violent tendencies and selfish ways initially repulse her.

It seemed for a while as though Elena would reunite with Stefan, the antithesis of his brother. The two doppelgangers shared an epic love that defined the series. In the end, though, no predestined love was strong enough to tear Elena and Damon apart for good.

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