Kriti Mehrotra
If there’s one thing absolutely nobody can deny, it’s that Netflix’s ‘Love on the Spectrum’ is arguably one of the most heartwarming and intimate reality dating shows to ever come to light. That’s because it follows people on the autism spectrum as they try to navigate the complex world of relationships in the hopes of finding their one true love. Amongst them in season 3 of this production is none other than Disney lover and train enthusiast Pari, whose hope was to find her “T Princess,” which she believed she did in Tina Zhu Xi Caruso.
Signs of Romance Were Everywhere For Pari and Tina
From the moment we first came across Pari Kim, she made it clear that her wish is to find someone with whom she can always be her authentic, real self. She conceded that the past few years have been hard for her since she lost her father and her mother also got diagnosed with breast cancer, only for her to also find herself questioning her sexuality. She actually had a boyfriend while she was in high school, but then she gradually began realizing that she likes girls too, and now she kind of prefers the latter despite having never dated them.
Therefore, Pari’s participation in this original was centered around her dating a woman, but she was essentially one and done. She was set up on a blind date with Tina at a lovely restaurant, where she quickly realized that they had more in common than they could have ever imagined. Not only had both their dads sadly passed away, but they also had an orange cat as well as a sister who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, which opened doors for many conversations between them. They had both also dated a boy in school before realizing they were queer too. Pari also learned that Tina was actually diagnosed at age 23.
It turns out it had been less than 3 years since Tina was diagnosed with autism, so that, along with her visual imparity, made it hard for her to date. However, Pari didn’t mind it at all. In fact, she loved the fact that her date was so open, and even the lulls in their conversation were more endearing than anything. Yet, arguably, the best part for Pari was that Tina liked trains too and didn’t hesitate to say yes when she asked if she would one day like to go on one together. Trains might not have been Tina’s special interest, but she was open to embracing them, just like she was embracing her autism, leading to a second date. The fact they saw a couple getting married on both dates definitely seemed like a great sign for them, especially as the second bride even gave them her bouquet.
Pari and Tina Seem to Still be Happily and Romantically Involved
It was during Pari and Tina’s second date that they got to learn more about one another on a personal level, which only brought them closer. They both admitted they had spent the past few days thinking about and missing one another, which also made it clear that they had no intention of playing it cool just for the sake of it. It was honestly endearing to see them interact with utter honesty and sincerity, which is why even their silence seemed so filling – they truly enjoyed one another’s company. So, of course, they ultimately sealed their connection with a kiss.
Pari and Tina’s kiss was the first they shared with not just one another but a woman in general, so it meant more to them than we can even begin to imagine. Their subsequently deciding to continue dating was thus utterly unsurprisingly, and we’re happy to report that it appears as if they are indeed still together and now head over heels in love. Neither of them has explicitly confirmed or denied anything on their respective social media platforms as of writing, yet they do follow one another and seem to have remained in touch. In fact, they have even fulfilled Pari’s dream of sharing a kiss on the Red Tracks of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
Pari and Tina Are College Students Trying to Figure Out Their Way in The World
As a 23-year-old resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, whose favorite color is purple and whose favorite pastime is transporting, Pari has faced her fair share of ups and downs in life. However, today, as a proud student at Lesley University, her hope in life is not just to figure out her way in this world but also to change other people’s perceptions of autism. It’s part of the reason why she is so determined to embrace her special interest as loudly and proudly as possible because she wants the world to know that she is also just another human being. “I can be who I want to be and break down stereotypes,” the Animation and Motion Media major recently told CBS News. “You can like trains; you can like princesses. Nobody’s ever too old or too young for that.”
Coming to Tina, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) at the age of 19 and autism at age 23 despite having shown signs early on, she is now determined to raise awareness for the same. In fact, she is an advocate for the same as well as for Camp Kesem, which she claims helped her a lot with her social cues and awkwardness. She still has trouble keeping eye contact, but she is definitely a much more outgoing person now than she used to be. We should also mention that she is an Achilles Athlete & Marathon Sports Ambassador, a former child actor, and an aspiring photographer – she’ll actually graduate from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in May 2025.
Read More: Are Connor and Georgie From Love on the Spectrum Still Together?
