Dennis and Jannika Svensson were the only one of four couples in this year's season who continued to be married after the experiment ended, and on the day of the decision, Jannika was already pregnant. Shortly thereafter, the couple was affected by a miscarriage, which put the already fragile relationship to further test.
When the couples reunited for the "What happened next?" episode that was broadcast on SVT in June, it became a fairly gloomy event whose only bright spot was the news that Dennis and Jannika were expecting a child again.
There, the reality saga could have ended, but SVT decided to give what is described as "one of 'Gift vid första ögonkastet's' most tested - and strongest - love stories" a continuation. The special episode "Gift vid första ögonkastet: The new life" follows the couple through the pregnancy and the new cohabitation in Lund.
– We feel privileged. There is no other couple who has received such a thing before and I think it will be a very nice and intimate conclusion to our journey, says Dennis.
A "crazy cat lady"
With two previous miscarriages, it was however with some anxiety that Jannika, 34, said yes.
What happens if I were to have a miscarriage now, then it's not just me and Dennis it affects, but also something I've committed to completing. But I think many can recognize themselves in that fear and it feels good to highlight the aspects of pregnancy that not many people talk about, says Jannika.
Participating in the reality series has turned both of their lives upside down and they describe the past year as surreal. Before Jannika applied to the program, she had a fairly resigned view of life, and had begun to accept being single for life.
Two years ago, I sat at home in Örebro and thought: either I apply to "Gift" and hope they find someone for me, or I'll become that "crazy cat lady", she says.
Dennis, 35, was open during the recording about both sleep and potency problems, and in the special episode also about the lack of intimacy and being able to "come" during pregnancy.
I hope I can be an inspiration to other people, he says.
Inner demons
The vulnerability, he believes, is a prerequisite for both being in a program like "Gift vid första ögonkastet" and getting a relationship to work.
You need to bring out your inner demons to develop as a person, he says.
Jannika and I really believed in the experiment and had the attitude that if we go into this as a team, it will work - which it also did, says Jannika.
Name: Jannika Svensson.
Age: 34.
Occupation: Sign language interpreter (on maternity leave).
Name: Dennis Svensson.
Age: 35 years.
Occupation: IT technician.
Lives: In Lund.
Children: Son Leon 3 months.
The special episode "Gift vid första ögonkastet: The new life" is available on SVT Play from September 23 and will be broadcast on SVT1 on October 21 at 20:00.
