Was Elena right to choose Damon over Stefan in The Vampire Diaries? Details explored

We all might have chosen Stefan in the first season of The Vampire Diaries after we saw how dreamy and intriguing he is. However, right the moment Damon arrived, it was game over for us ‘Delena’ fans. Countless debates have broken out over the years among fans about Elena choosing Damon over Stefan.

The Vampire Diaries was released several years ago. Yet the debate still remains about Elena’s ultimate choice. If we look back at the series, there were numerous times that Damon proved that he was the better lover for Elena than Stefan. Yes, his actions were often quite questionable.

However, his love and devotion for Elena remained constant. Damon’s dedication towards protecting Elena and giving his all to her leaves us wanting for a partner just like him.

Was Elena right to choose Damon over Stefan in The Vampire Diaries?

Let’s look back at the time it all began. In the very first season, Damon is reckless and eager to create chaos in his brother’s life. Elena’s relationship with Stefan in The Vampire Diaries was quite like a fairytale. However, it did not last long after Stefan switched his humanity off.

It was a crucial turning point in their relationship. Though Stefan was away from Elena, she never questioned her feelings for him. As the series progressed, Elena began to see a softer and caring side of Damon that he kept hidden. This eventually became the root of their love for one another.

Damon was always there for Elena whenever she needed him, be it the Miss Mystic Falls dance in Season 1 when Stefan did not show up, or when she needed him to erase Jeremy’s memories.

Throughout the series, he remained her rock. Another distinctive aspect of Damon's nature came to the fore when we always saw him prioritising Elena over anyone else. This is especially evident when Stefan saves Matt instead of Elena in Season 3. Damon openly admits that he would have chosen Elena over Matt. Stefan might also be protective, but there were numerous times when he did not prioritise Elena.

After becoming a vampire, Elena struggled to control her bloodlust. During this time, Damon was her rock. He stood by her side through it all. It represented Damon’s deep and unparalleled love for her. With Damon, Elena was freer. He challenged her more authentic self.

He brought out her true self without any judgment. He was not just there when the times were good. Rather, he was there when it mattered the most. No wonder Elena chose him in the end. In Season 4, episode 23 of The Vampire Diaries, Elena says,

"Fine, then I'm not sorry either. I'm not sorry that I met you, I'm not sorry that knowing you has made me question everything, that in death you're the one who made me feel most alive. You've been a terrible person, you made all the wrong choices. And for all the choices I've made this will prove to be the worst one: but I am not sorry that I'm in love with you. I love you, Damon"

This shows that she knows exactly who he is and loves him anyway. Her love for Stefan was often the idealized version of him. However, for Damon, she embraced the authenticity, her own and Damon's as well.

Through her memories, she got to know Damon in a completely different light. Damon’s words were:

“I Love You, Elena. And It's Because I Love You That I Can't Be Selfish With You. And Why You Can't Know This? Because I Don't Deserve You. But My Brother Does,” showed how selflessly he loved Elena.

The fact that he would choose her safety and well-being over his own wishes truly leaves a lasting impact not just on Elena but also on us viewers.

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