Paula Joukanen, who dreams of the Miss Finland crown, had no idea that she would meet the love of her life during the party.
Miss Finland finalist Paula Joukanen, 22, a lot has happened and happened in life during the last year. She is participating in the Miss Finland competition and is aiming for the crown in Saturday’s final. In addition to this, he has found the love of his life by his side.
– I was spending a fun evening in Helsinki’s nightlife with my best friend, until I ran into my ex-coach by chance. He then said I should speak to a person.
Through mutual acquaintances, Paula met while vacationing in Finland Ignacio’s. The 24-year-old was born in Venezuela, located in South America, but he moved to the United States with his family at the age of 11 because of the unrest in the country.
Paula Joukanen aspires to be Miss Finland. Mikko Huisko
The pair share a common passion for tennis. Paula has been training since she was 4 years old and represented Finland in the national youth team. Ignacio, on the other hand, has played tennis professionally for a year. He graduated last year with a master’s degree in economics.
– It is challenging to play at the professional level, so I have decided to get other jobs. I’m still practicing tennis, but I’m still thinking about what I want to do in life, Ignacio says.
Long distance love
The couple admits that they fell in love quickly. When Ignacio returned to the United States, the two continued to actively communicate. However, Paula’s visit to Ignacio in Florida was a turning point.
– We spent a week together in Florida. When Paula left for Finland, we had a conversation. We both thought it was worth trying, Ignacio recalls.
Ignacio has been playing tennis professionally for a year. Paula’s home album
Both admit the challenges of a long-distance relationship, which include, among other things, the seven-hour time difference.
– Sometimes during the working day I take a short break and call Paula. Especially now, Paula is very busy, so we have to arrange a time when we can talk.
– We both invest a lot in our relationship. Even if we don’t have anything important to share every day, we still ask each other about the news of the day. At the same time, we always try to agree when we will see each other next time, so that we have something to look forward to, says Paula.
Support in the audience
The new Miss Finland will be crowned next Saturday at Aino Areena in Järvenpää. Paula admits that she is excited for the final, because she has been training hard.
In addition to law studies, Paula has done volunteer work teaching Finnish to Ukrainian refugees. The miss finalist’s mother’s side of the family is from Russia. Paula and her family strongly condemn the country’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
According to Paula and Ignacio, the most important thing in a long-distance relationship is trust in the partner. Paula’s home album
The Ignacio lover is going to cheer on his girlfriend in the stands of the Miss Final. The man has already bought a plane ticket to Finland. Paula is waiting to see her boyfriend.
– I am very excited because my parents will meet Ignacio for the first time this weekend.
Miss Finland’s duties also include participating in the Miss Universe competition. The traditional beauty pageant will be held this year in El Salvador. Paula already has a support group ready if she is crowned Miss Finland.
– My parents promised to come and cheer Paula on to the Miss Universe contest. Beauty pageants are a big phenomenon in Venezuela, Ignacio laughs.