Iris Kendall and TJ Palma were one of the only couples to make their love last outside of Love Island USA’s villa after season 7…even though they technically weren’t coupled up in the end. But, spoiler alert: They’ve reconnected to explore a romantic connection on the upcoming second season of Love Island: Beyond the Villa, and it’s really sweet. (Sweet enough that they made this cynical writer kiiinda believe in love again. It’s true!)

Ahead of the spin-off’s season premiere on April 15, Iris and TJ caught up with Cosmopolitan to give a much-needed update on their budding romance and fully gush about each other in the process.

For starters, Iris dished that she loves “being able to go on dates whenever we want, not just when we get a text,” like on their Love Island days.

“Our relationship is healthy, and it makes me feel really good. This is the first time I’ve ever been in a relationship where I feel so confident, good, and happy. I feel safe, and it’s growing every single day,” Iris exclusively told Cosmo of her connection with TJ.

When it comes to dating outside the villa, she added, “We spend a lot more time together off camera, so we’re able to really be our true selves without other people around.”

In true couple fashion, TJ also chimed in. “We have a sense of security, too. We were in the villa for a couple of days, and then she got pulled for another conversation, then we went to Casa Amor, and then we came back,” he said. “You don’t really know what’s gonna happen or how it’s gonna play out. But outside the villa, we’re together, and we’re in this for the long haul.”

You probably don’t need us to lay it all out for you, but last summer, Iris joined the famous Love Island USA villa as a bombshell before she eventually paired up with Pepe García-Gonzalez and became one of the four couples to make it to the finale.

Upon landing in L.A. from Fiji last summer, TMZ reported that Iris and TJ “went on a walk and talk for about two hours before going into his place.” A few months later, in September, they were spotted at a Whole Foods in Tampa before hard-launching their relationship on Instagram.

A year and some change later, the pair is now navigating a long-distance relationship between Tampa and L.A., and TJ reassures Cosmo that they’re “making it work” despite the challenges.

“We’re on completely opposite sides of the country, but we’re buying the flights,” he explained. “She was just in Tampa, and we were in Miami together as well.”

As for what their future holds, Iris maintained that “time will tell” as they’re experiencing more things and traveling to Turks and Caicos, Europe, and Italy together soon.

TJ added, “Looking way down the line, who knows? We’re trying to figure that out.”

We’ll have to tune in to Love Island: Beyond the Villa to find out! Season 2 hits Peacock with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, April 15.

Watch ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’ on Peacock