How I Met Your Mother isn’t just a sitcom; it’s basically a nine-season rollercoaster of love, heartbreak, and a whole lot of blue French horns. Fans spent years watching Ted, Robin, Marshall, Lily, and Barney stumble through breakups, near-miss weddings, shocking proposals, and every messy “almost” relationship in between.
By the time the finale rolled around, the big question was finally answered: who actually ends up with whom? Some found their perfect match early on, others took a detour (or three), and a few only discovered love when they least expected it.
Whether it was rekindled romance, happily-ever-afters, or starting over solo, each character’s journey wrapped with a mix of closure, surprise, and bittersweet moments. Here’s where every How I Met Your Mother character landed when all was said and done.
1. Ted Mosby & Robin Scherbatsky
Ted and Robin’s (played by Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders) story begins in the pilot episode, when Ted sees her across the bar and instantly decides she might be “the one.” Their first date is a mix of charm and chaos, ending with Ted blurting out “I love you” way too soon.
Despite their chemistry, they break up when it becomes clear their visions of the future don’t align. Ted dreams of marriage and kids, while Robin is focused on her career and doesn’t want children.
Over the years, their relationship plays out like a series of almosts. Ted can never quite shake his feelings for Robin, even as she moves on, and she becomes part of several love triangles with him. Eventually, Robin marries Barney, while Ted meets Tracy, the actual “Mother.” But life takes a turn, Robin and Barney divorce, and years later, Tracy passes away.
In the finale, Ted shows up at Robin’s apartment with the blue French horn, symbolizing that after all the detours, heartbreaks, and missed chances, he and Robin still find their way back to each other.
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2. Marshall Eriksen & Lily Aldrin
Marshall and Lily (played by Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan) are the heart of How I Met Your Mother, the one couple that proves true love can survive just about anything.
College sweethearts, they start the series already engaged, but their relationship hits a major snag when Lily gets cold feet and leaves for S an Francisco to pursue her art dreams. Though devastated, Marshall eventually forgives her, and the two reconcile, leading to a heartfelt wedding in Season 2.
Their journey doesn’t stop there. They navigate the challenges of married life: buying their first apartment (with that hilarious slanted floor), balancing careers, and trying to start a family.
By the end of the series, they’re parents to three children. Marshall achieves his lifelong dream of becoming a judge, eventually even earning a seat on the State Supreme Court. In contrast, Lily thrives in her career, including a stint abroad for art consulting.
Despite the chaos around them, Marshall and Lily remain the show’s emotional anchor, proving that some love stories really can last a lifetime.
3. Barney Stinson
Barney Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris) starts out as the ultimate bachelor, the guy with a suit for every occasion, a legendary playbook, and a knack for turning any situation into an outrageous story. For most of the series, he’s commitment-phobic, relying on one-night stands and wild schemes to avoid anything serious. But underneath the bravado, Barney does show growth, especially when he falls in love with Robin.
After years of chasing and resisting, Barney and Robin finally get married in Season 9. However, their relationship doesn’t last. With Robin traveling constantly for her career and Barney craving more stability, the marriage ends in divorce after just three years. Heartbroken, Barney slips back into his old habits, returning to his bachelor lifestyle.
Everything changes, though, when a one-night stand leads to the birth of his daughter, Ellie. The moment he holds her, Barney transforms. The man who once swore off commitment finds his true purpose in being a devoted father, showing fans a side of him that’s genuine, vulnerable, and deeply loving.
4. Victoria
Victoria (played by Ashley Williams) is often remembered as one of Ted’s most beloved girlfriends and for good reason. Introduced in Season 1, she’s the charming baker Ted meets at a wedding, and their romance quickly becomes one of the show’s sweetest storylines. Their relationship is full of chemistry, but it ends when Victoria moves to Germany for a fellowship, and they can’t make long-distance work.
Years later, in Season 7, Ted bumps into her again, and the spark is still there. They rekindle their romance, but there’s one big problem: Victoria is engaged to a man named Klaus. She leaves him at the altar to be with Ted, which seems like a second chance for them. However, history repeats itself. Victoria realizes Ted is still hung up on Robin, and she refuses to be “second place” in his heart.
Ultimately, she breaks things off and returns to Klaus, leaving Ted behind for good. While she doesn’t get a big farewell arc, Victoria remains one of the most significant “what if” relationships in Ted’s journey.
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5. Stella Zinman
Stella Zinman (played by Sarah Chalke) is another of Ted’s significant love interests, making her first appearance in Season 3. Ted meets her when he goes to see a dermatologist. Stella is smart, confident, and independent, and their connection is instant. Their relationship quickly grows serious, culminating in a surprise engagement. It seems like Ted has finally found “the one” who aligns with his dream of marriage and family.
However, just when everything seems perfect, Stella’s past catches up with her. She has an ex-boyfriend, Tony, who still plays a role in her life. On their wedding day, Stella leaves Ted at the altar to reunite with Tony, shocking both Ted and viewers. Though heartbreaking for Ted, this event becomes a pivotal moment in his journey toward meeting Tracy, the Mother.
Stella goes on to live a fulfilling life with Tony, raising their daughter Lucy, while Ted continues on the winding path that eventually leads him to true love.
6. Zoey Pierson
Zoey Pierson (played by Jennifer Morrison) enters Ted’s life in Season 6 as a passionate activist determined to stop the construction of the GNB headquarters, ironically, the very project Ted is designing. Their first meeting is full of sparks and tension, but the clash of ideals quickly turns into romance. Zoey is smart, charismatic, and adventurous, and Ted finds himself genuinely falling for her despite their initial disagreements.
Their relationship, however, is far from simple. Ted struggles with Zoey’s strong-willed personality and her complicated personal life, while Zoey wrestles with trusting Ted’s intentions and balancing her activism with her romantic life. They experience ups and downs, from heartfelt dates to tense arguments, but eventually, they realize that their differences are too fundamental to ignore.
In the end, Ted and Zoey break up, and she moves on without a major partner shown on screen. Though their relationship is brief in the grand scheme, Zoey plays an important role in Ted’s journey toward understanding what he truly wants in a partner.
7. The Captain (George Van Smoot)
The Captain, whose real name is George Van Smoot (played by Kyle MacLachlan), is one of the recurring characters in How I Met Your Mother. He first appears as Zoey Pierson’s wealthy, somewhat eccentric ex-husband. True to his personality, he’s flashy, intense, and has a flair for drama, especially when it comes to relationships. His larger-than-life presence adds both humor and tension whenever he’s around, particularly in Zoey’s love life.
Although initially seen as an obstacle for Zoey and Ted’s budding romance, The Captain eventually moves on from Zoey, showing a more human side beneath his dramatic exterior. By the later seasons, he finds love again and marries Becky, who was Robin’s former co-anchor. This pairing surprises fans but fits well within the show’s mix of quirky and heartfelt resolutions.
While he doesn’t have the same depth of story as the main cast, The Captain’s journey from flashy ex to remarried partner shows that life and love can take unexpected detours.
In the end, How I Met Your Mother isn’t just about who ends up with whom; it’s about the messy, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking journey to get there. Some love stories stick from the start, some take detours, and some come out of left field.
Through all the breakups, near-misses, and epic “almost” moments, the gang shows us that love isn’t perfect, but it’s always worth the ride. And honestly, that’s what makes their stories so unforgettable.
Which couple from HIMYM is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Watch all seasons of How I Met Your Mother now on Hulu.
