Since Bridgerton season 3 has wrapped, there have been some complaints that the pace of Penelope and Colin’s romance was too fast, but I think they’re all forgetting one crucial thing. The Bridgerton son and Featherington daughter surprised everyone when they announced their engagement at the ending of Bridgerton season 3, part 1. From Penelope’s rather dazed expression, it appears they perhaps even surprised themselves. From the reactions online, they certainly seemed to surprise the audience.

It didn’t surprise me, though. Just because the engagement happened quickly doesn’t mean the love did. We’ve seen Bridgerton‘s Colin and Penelope dancing around one another for a while – three seasons now. Even though the romantic part of their season’s focus wasn’t very clear for more than an episode or two, it doesn’t mean it was rushed. That’s thanks to one aspect of their relationship I feel like too many people are forgetting in their criticisms that the pacing of Colin and Penelope’s romance in Bridgerton season 3 was too fast.

Penelope & Colin Have Been Friends Since They Were Children

They Know Each Other’s Quirks And Flaws In A Way Others Don’t

I think everyone is forgetting that Penelope and Colin have been friends, close friends, since childhood. In Bridgerton season 3, Colin even makes a point to reminisce about how he and Penelope met, and he stresses that they were just kids. Later, during their engagement party, he again refers back to that story of their childhood meeting, mentioning that he’s lucky to have met his match when they were children. Colin’s speech reminded me again of just how long they’ve known each other; they’re literally the boy and girl next door.

Colin’s speech reminded me again of just how long they’ve known each other; they’re literally the boy and girl next door.

Having known each other for years changes their dynamic. Unlike the other romantic couples who have to navigate the tribulations and pains of each other’s quirks and flaws, Colin and Penelope have already done that. The early stage of most relationships is one of rapid growth together, but with growth comes natural turbulence as two people with their own faults, desires, and communication styles learn how to accept the other as they are. I’ve certainly been there, and anyone in a committed relationship has, too.

Having been friends for so long, Colin and Penelope accept each other. Colin, in particular, makes a point to tell Penelope how comfortable he feels with her and how she’s the only one who really sees him. Penelope is not quite as settled around Colin thanks to her long one-sided feelings for him, but she’s still free to be open with him in a way she can’t be with anyone else except, perhaps, for Eloise. It’s the sort of ease and comfort of two people who have seen each other grow and grow up, and understand each other intimately.

Colin & Penelope’s Romance Has Been Years In The Making

They’ve Been Growing To This Point Since Bridgerton Season 1

While the actual confirmation and consummation of their relationship was fast, the build-up took years. Of all the relationships in Bridgerton so far, you could argue that Penelope and Colin’s was the slowest burn. For Penelope’s part, the love affair wasn’t a whirlwind at all. She’s loved him for years, something clearly laid out in the very first episode of Bridgerton season 1 when she is perched in the windowsill waiting for him to pass by.

Colin, meanwhile, took a little longer to realize his feelings, but the seeds were always there. In Bridgerton season 2, episode 2, when he is discussing his trip with Penelope, he makes a point to tell her that her letters – of which she wrote the most – helped him see himself with clarity. In Bridgerton season 3 is the aforementioned conversation about how she’s the only one he feels he can be truly comfortable with, truly be himself with. It just took him a little longer to recognize and understand his feelings – he is, after all, a young man who clearly barely understands how he feels about himself, let alone about another.

Still, when that emotional light switch finally flips for him, it illuminates everything inside of him with a clarity he’d not yet had. He finally sees Penelope, and his feelings for her, so clearly for the first time, enabling him to name and acknowledge what he’s feeling. With that sort of clarity, he doesn’t need to waste time or wait. It’s always been Penelope – Pen – for him, and it’s always been him for her. Their engagement in Bridgerton may seem sudden, and at the moment, it was – but at the same time, it was years in the making, two best friends finally old enough for their friendship to grow into something more.