Standing before the Tower of London, a more than 900-year-old fortress on the banks of the River Thames, Carrin Schottler attempted to absorb the historical tales of England, complete with white stone towers, ancient armor, and ravens circling the castle. In a group of about a dozen people, the guide enthusiastically explained the sights, but Carrin was completely distracted. Her gaze was fixed on a man who was also part of the tour.

"He was so handsome, my heart skipped a beat", the 20-year-old tourist from New York, United States, recalled. The man she admired wore a white shirt, a loose blazer, and neat trousers – a style distinctly different from the American men her age back home.

Carrin and Paul pictured together during their first meeting in London. Photo: CNN

Their encounter occurred in September 1994, when Carrin was in England for a semester abroad program. During her free time, she and her close friend Heather booked a tour of the Tower of London. There, she was quickly drawn to Paul Thal, a 23-year-old student from Sweden who was studying in Manchester and visiting London for the weekend.

As Carrin stood next to him and smiled, Paul returned the smile. They began to chat. "When we talked, I felt very comfortable and let everything unfold naturally", he recounted.

The Tower of London is home to about 35 Yeoman Warders, royal guards in traditional red and blue uniforms. Taking photos with them is an essential experience for tourists. At the end of the tour, Carrin and Paul took turns standing between two Yeoman Warders for a souvenir photo.

The budding affection between the two young people quickly caught the eye of the experienced guards. The Yeoman Warders noticed Carrin's feelings and encouraged her. Emboldened, Carrin gathered her courage to offer to show Paul more of London if he wished. Paul immediately agreed.

They walked across Tower Bridge together, where Heather took a photo of them. "I left the Tower of London knowing almost nothing about the landmark", Carrin said, but in return, she had a dream-like date.

That evening, Carrin and Paul met at Piccadilly Circus. Under the brilliant advertising lights, amidst the bustling crowds around the Shaftesbury Memorial, Carrin waited for Paul. When she saw him approach, the good feelings from earlier in the day immediately returned. Paul was still in his familiar blazer, while Carrin had changed into a short dress and square-heeled shoes – a popular fashion in the 1990s.

Paul gave her a bouquet of flowers. They went into a cafe and talked for hours. "He drank five cups of coffee, I don't know if he was too nervous", Carrin said with a laugh. As their initial shyness faded, they wandered through London until late. Paul walked Carrin back to her dormitory near Regent Park, where roses were in full bloom.

Many years later, the scent of roses still reminds Carrin of that moment – the time she realized she had fallen in love with Paul.

Paul pictured with the tower guards, who also acted as "matchmakers". Photo: CNN

After that, the two kept in touch and quickly grew close. Every weekend, they would meet, exploring England together. In November 1994, when Carrin was homesick because she missed Thanksgiving, Paul bought a turkey and prepared dinner in his dormitory in Manchester. The turkey was overcooked because his roommate forgot to take it out of the oven, but for Carrin, it was still a warm and memorable dinner.

At the end of the year, Carrin returned to the United States. Before they parted, Paul invited her to Sweden to visit his family. Carrin quickly grew fond of her boyfriend's family. "The moment I knew I wanted to marry Paul was when I saw how gently he cared for his grandmother", she said.

Their love grew stronger, but both faced a crossroads. Carrin returned to the United States to pursue a medical career, while Paul continued his studies in Europe. "We didn't have a grand plan, just hope", Paul said.

From 1995-1996, the two traveled frequently between the United States and Sweden. In the summer of 1996, during a trekking trip in Norway, they considered marriage. In October of the same year, Paul moved to New York for work to be closer to Carrin.

In the summer of 1998, they married in the United States. Carrin took her husband's surname, becoming Carrin Schottler-Thal. The wedding brought together Paul's family from Sweden and his old friends. The wedding flowers were yellow roses – a reminder of the rose garden in Regent Park from years ago. The reception tables were named after landmarks in England they had visited together, instead of being numbered traditionally.

After the wedding, Carrin and Paul lived in Albany, New York. Their life was happy but busy, with Paul frequently traveling for work and Carrin completing her medical residency. After the 11/9/2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and when Paul's company went bankrupt, they decided to build a more stable life in Albany.

Currently, Carrin and Paul live with their 16-year-old son, who has autism. The family still regularly returns to Sweden to visit relatives.

The Tower of London, where Paul and Carrin first met. Photo: CNN

A few years ago, they brought their son back to London, walking through Piccadilly Circus and their old streets. They have not yet revisited the Tower of London, but both hope to return one day, to see if the royal guards who "played matchmakers" for them that year are still there.

"It was a tender, peaceful, yet exciting time", Paul said of the romance that began on a seemingly ordinary tour.

Anh Minh (According to CNN)