The name of the country itself hints that the climate there is not very warm. And this is where all of its charm is hiding: it’s like the Snow Queen looking at you with her cold piercing eyes. And you can spend ages looking at this country: the waterfalls, the rocks, the volcanos, the beaches with black sand, and 8 months a year when you can see the Northern Lights. All these things make Iceland a country from a parallel reality that anyone would love to go to, at least for a little vacay.
We at Bright Side think that there should be things to fuel our dreams and this article does exactly that. Now is probably the best time to start saving for a trip to Iceland to see its beauty with your own eyes. It’s definitely worth it.
“My sister rented an apartment in the north of Iceland for Christmas, and this is her view.”
Before 1987, every Thursday in Iceland, there were no TV broadcasts.
The people from Iceland born before 1987 joke that they were probably conceived on a Thursday. The thing is, Thursdays were the days of communication when people were supposed to pay more attention to each other. This is why the only channel in the country at the time didn’t work on Thursdays.
Footage from the Icelandic TV show Keeping up with the Kattarshians, where cats are filmed living in a tiny home
Black sand beach in Iceland
“In Iceland, you can hand-draw a map on your mail, without an address, and it will still make it to its destination.”
- That’s because buildings are so far apart from each other and there are lots of distinct geographical locations, so it is easy to determine the location. The-Daily-Meme / Reddit
Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a geothermal hot spring that wasn’t open to tourists until the 1990s.
- That’s insane, it simultaneously looks like the hottest and coldest place on the planet. obamium-11 / Reddit
The people in Iceland can see the Northern Lights 8 months a year.
- Wow… one of the things I’d really like to see some time in my lifetime… FrayAdjacent / Reddit
“There are places in Iceland where you can be standing on the North American and European tectonic plates at the same time. This rift was from an earthquake.”
There’s a cave shaped like Yoda in Iceland. Do you see it?
“Iceland does not want to deal with your stupidity — and I think that’s beautiful.”
“Traveling within Iceland because we couldn’t go elsewhere. Found these guys sheltering themselves from the wind…”
And there’s a magnificent glacier in the background!
Glacier rivers in Iceland
- I used to have an art teacher who went to Iceland every year. He had hundreds of photos of the countryside. I have never seen anything like this country. The bizarre colors and shapes that naturally occur there are nothing more than breathtaking. JanJaapen / Reddit
A black church called the Heimaey Stave Church
- I was fortunate enough to see this church in person last year. There is a spring/fountain very close nearby with some of the cleanest and tastiest water I’ve ever had. Hard to even describe. Sletzer / Reddit
The Kerið Crater in winter is unreal.
“A photo of a road and landscape I took”
- Looks like wallpaper for an iPad pro. maurosauro / Reddit
- I’d be happy to sell it to Apple. thomyorkeftw / Reddit
The last McDonald’s cheeseburger sold in Iceland. McDonald’s no longer exists in this country.
“Stayed in an unusual hotel near The Golden Circle in Iceland”
“This crater lake in Iceland merges with a powerful glacial river. One of the most surreal sunrises I’ve ever experienced”
This very cozy street in Iceland
- This whole country is cozy. Seriously. I went there last winter and I’ve never been to a more cozy place in my life. dc-redpanda / Reddit
The view from some public restrooms in Iceland
“The puffins returned to eastern Iceland this week. I was lucky enough to see thousands of them in one spot.”
“This house my wife and I stayed at while in Iceland”
- Pretty much every building in Iceland has a view as good as this, that country is just insane. Chilis1 / Reddit
A sunset snowstorm in Iceland
I have the urge to set this as my phone’s wallpaper.
Would you like to travel to this amazing country?
My Son Brought His Fiancée Home – The Moment I Saw Her Face and Learned Her Name, I Immediately Called the Police
When my son brought his fiancée home, I was thrilled to meet the woman who’d stolen his heart. But the moment I saw her face, my excitement was gone. I already knew her and soon had her locked in my basement.
The urge to protect your child never goes away. I’m a mother in her 50s, living in a quiet suburban neighborhood with my husband, Nathan. We’ve been married for over 25 years, and we have one son, Xavier, who’s the light of our lives.
A couple with their son | Source: Midjourney
He’s 22 now and almost out of college. Although he moved away years ago, we’re still a close-knit family. At least, I thought so until a few weeks ago when Xavier shocked us with one phone call.
It was a normal Tuesday evening. Nathan and I were in the living room, half-watching TV and half-dozing off, when the phone rang.
“Mom, Dad, I’ve got some big news!” Xavier boomed through the line. “I’ve met someone. Her name’s Danielle and she’s amazing. We’ve been dating for three months, and—” He paused dramatically. “I proposed, and she said yes!”
A man proposing | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t speak for a second. There was a lot to process. Woman. Three months. Proposed? “Wait, you’re engaged?” I asked, glancing at my husband, whose jaw was practically on the floor.
“Yup! I wanted to tell you sooner, but Danielle’s pretty shy. She wasn’t ready to meet you guys until now, but I convinced her. Can we come over this weekend for dinner?”
“Of course!” I said, though my mind was already racing with worries and only a little bit of excitement.
A woman on the phone with surprised eyes | Source: Midjourney
Xavier hadn’t mentioned a single girlfriend during his four years at college. No stories about dates, no pictures, nothing. Now he was engaged after dating for only a couple of months! That was insane.
After we hung up, I spoke to my husband. “What do we know about her?” I asked Nathan as we tidied up the house in preparation for the weekend. “Where’s she from? What does she do?”
“Sweets, you heard the same things I heard,” Nathan smiled at me. “Maybe he’s just smitten. You know how young love is.”
A man smiling | Source: Midjourney
That didn’t ease my nerves. I tried calling Xavier the next day to ask more questions, but his answers were vague. “She’s from around here,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “She’s incredible, Mom. Just wait until you meet her. You’ll find out all you need to know!”
With those words, I decided to let go of my worries for now and focus on the future. I had to prepare for this momentous event. Nathan also reminded me of the possible benefits of our son getting married: grandchildren!
A dreamlike shot of two toddlers | Source: Midjourney
So when the big day arrived, I went all out. I roasted a chicken, baked a cherry pie, and set the table with our nicest dishes.
Nathan splurged on some pricey steaks, too. “This is just in case she prefers beef to chicken. First impressions matter, right?”
“Of course, sweets!” I told him. “Wait, do you think I should make another dessert in case she doesn’t like cherry pie?”
We spent all morning like that. Nathan even mowed the lawn, although I had no idea how that would be helpful. But it got us even more excited.
A man with lawnmower | Source: Midjourney
By the time the doorbell rang, we couldn’t contain our smiles. We must have looked like two people in a horror movie because Xavier stepped back once we opened the door.
“Welcome!” I said, almost screaming.
Xavier smiled tentatively and introduced us to Danielle, who was standing shyly beside him with her shoulders hunched and a small smile.
A couple on a front porch | Source: Midjourney
She was petite, with dark hair and big eyes. Beautiful, really, and she looked good next to my son. But her face… it took only a second for me to recognize her.
Still, I smiled as I welcomed them inside, but I was panicking for a very valid reason.
Just a few months ago, my friend Margaret showed me a photo of a woman who had scammed her son. He had fallen for this woman, who’d convinced him to buy her an expensive engagement ring and give her thousands of dollars for “wedding expenses.”
Engagement ring | Source: Midjourney
Then, she’d disappeared without a trace. Margaret was devastated and had shared the photo with everyone she knew, hoping someone might recognize the scammer. And now, here she was, standing in my living room.
Her hair was a different color, much darker, and she might be wearing blue contact lenses, but I recognized that face. And what happened next was a blur.
Somehow, we sat down. I served dinner, and everyone was talking animatedly. I even answered when I could. But I couldn’t stop staring at Danielle. I also checked my phone discreetly, trying to find the photo Margaret had sent. I must’ve erased it.
A dining table full of food | Source: Midjourney
I’d have to call her later. Suddenly, Nathan coughed. He’d noticed my distraction and asked me to help him in the kitchen.
“What’s going on, Evangeline?” he whispered once we were alone.
“That’s her,” I said urgently. “The scammer Margaret told us about. I’m sure of it.”
“What? The one who broke her son’s heart and stole everything?” Nathan frowned, hands on his hips. “Are you positive? It could just be someone who looks like her.”
A man looking worried | Source: Midjourney
“I’m telling you, Nathan, it’s her,” I insisted. “Margaret shared that photo everywhere she could for months after she disappeared. I need to do something before she hurts Xavier too.”
Nathan sighed but didn’t argue. “Just… be careful. Let’s not accuse anyone without proof.”
When dinner ended, I’d come up with a plan and set it into motion. “Danielle, would you help me pick out a wine from the basement?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
A woman at a table smiling awkwardly | Source: Midjourney
She hesitated but nodded. “Sure,” she said, standing up.
I led her downstairs, trying to be as casual as possible. Luckily, she was shy enough that conversation wasn’t that important. But the moment she stepped into the dimly lit basement, I turned and locked the door behind her.
My hands were shaking as I hurried back upstairs. “Nathan, call the police. Now!”
Xavier shot up from his seat, brows furrowed. “Mom, what are you doing?!” he demanded.
A young man confused | Source: Midjourney
“That woman is not who she says she is,” I said firmly. “She’s scammed people before. I’m protecting you.”
Xavier looked like I’d slapped him. “What? No! You’re wrong! Danielle’s not a scammer. She’s kind, she’s honest, and she’s my fiancée!”
I ignored him, called Margaret, and explained the situation. “Send me that photo of the scammer,” I begged my friend and hung up. Seconds later, my phone buzzed with the image. It was her. There was no doubt in my mind.
A woman wiht blonde hair | Source: Midjourney
I turned my phone to my son and husband. “See? I’m not crazy!”
Luckily, the police arrived shortly after and confirmed I wasn’t crazy. I was just wrong.
Xavier went down to let Danielle out of the basement. And for some reason, she wasn’t scared. She was frustrated but… amused.
A woman with a slight smile | Source: Midjourney
She turned to us with a sigh. “Everyone, this isn’t the first time someone’s mistaken me for that woman,” she said. “I know exactly who you’re talking about. She’s ruined my life, or come close to it. I’ve been taken down to the police station before, and I’ve seen her picture. She’s blonde with brown eyes; my black hair and blue eyes are natural. I’m not her.”
One of the officers looked at her closely, then nodded. “I remember this case. The real scammer did use the name Danielle and avoided police for a long time. I think she even managed to scam someone else before she got caught. She’s been in prison for a while now. I can confirm that this lady isn’t her.”
A police officer smiling | Source: Midjourney
My jaw dropped. I was relieved, yet so ashamed. Why didn’t Margaret know this? “Oh my God! I… I’m so sorry,” I stammered.
To my surprise, Danielle smiled fully and then chuckled. “Well, that was an interesting way to meet my future in-laws,” she joked. “At least I got to pick out a wine.” And she had a great taste too because the bottle she had grabbed was one of the most expensive.
Her words made me laugh, and the tension broke easily.
Xavier hugged her, clearly relieved and so in love. “I told you she wasn’t like that,” he said, shooting me a pointed look.
A couple hugging | Source: Midjourney
That night ended with apologies and a fresh start. Over time, I got to know Danielle and saw how much she truly loved Xavier. She was warm, funny, and an incredibly talented pastry chef who even made her own wedding cake.
As for me, I learned a lesson about jumping to conclusions. While I’m still protective of Xavier, I’m learning to trust his choices. And now, we have a family story we’ll never forget — though I doubt Danielle will let me live it down anytime soon.
A woman embarassed | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply