Why Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez Holding Hands Matters: The Return Of Jelena

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have reunited. Most observers have a cynical view of their relationship. But are the couple being judged too harshly?

Jelena is back.

There are no ifs, no buts, no maybes. Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are back together.

How do we know this?

Two words. “Holding hands.”

The 20-year-old “Believe” singer and 22-year-old “Come & Get It” songstress were spotted “holding hands,” after arriving at Ontario’s Waterloo airport in Canada via private plane on Wednesday.

Why is Bieber and Gomez holding hands so significant, you ask?

Before we answer that, take a look at the back-on couple’s body language — seen below — while they were being escorted by airport security.

As far as PDA goes, the couple were in no danger of competing with the exhibitionism often seen in many music videos, most reality TV shows, and even the Emmy’s (thank you Bryan Cranston and Julia Louis-Dreyfus!)

And that’s the point. It’s the sweetness of Jelena’s hand-holding that’s revealed in the snaps, and it may be their core dynamic when they’re not trying to hurt or provoke each other.

When the above picture was taken, the pair were with officials. In other words, they weren’t alone. Yet the impression the lovebirds give, is of being in their own private world.

For all sort of reasons it’s remarkable to see Justin and Selena still have such a connection after four years of life in a spotlight that includes, media and paparazzi, public opinion and a bullying contingent of Bieber’s fans.

The then teenage Biebs and SelGo were introduced by his manager Scooter Braun and her former momager back in 2009, to hang out, go to public events and be safe play dates. But, it developed into a real relationship, one in which the then sweethearts were dating by 2010, broken up by November 2012 and on and off ever since.

That’s one version of the Jelena story.

(Photo: The loved-up pair went horseback riding at an Ontario ranch on Thursday, August 28. They were joined by Justin’s father, Jeremy, and younger brother and sister Jaxon 4, and Jazmyn, 6, Mail Online reports.)

But, piece together the reunions, as far back as December 2012, past and present under-the-radar dates, Instagram hints, declarations, surprise get-togethers, swipes at each other — and it’s clear the Canadian and the Latina have never not been on each other minds.

In real terms, there was no clean break. Even throughout Bieber and Gomez’s so-called off and on periods, they always came back to each other. Whether riding on Segways, popping up on Instagram, at bible study, on Spyder motorbike rides, or Justin’s emotional deposition walk-out and his Selena-inspired 2013 Journals album — these two can’t quit, won’t quit.

While many cannot understand what holds them together, the twosome are undeniably close at an under pressure time in Bieber’s life.

Which speaks volumes about the mettle of Gomez, and should raise questions in others as to why the narrative on Bieber has lost rationality and perspective.

(Photo: Justin wore a brown Stetson, denim and shades, while Selena was decked in pale denim shirt, jeans and leather riding boots for their day at the ranch.)

So here’s the thing:

Scroll back through Bieber’s dating slash hookup history: Yovanna Ventura, Barbara Palvin, Chantel Jeffries, Ashley Moore and randoms. There are no pictures of any of them holding hands with the heartthrob.

Lustful looks, probable sex and flirty banter online? For sure. But simply touching hands, an act between couples that can express friendship as well as intimacy?

None. Whatsoever.

Fast forward to Jelena’s jaunt to Canada.

Hours after arriving in his native country, either before or after a Tim Hortons take-out, the Biebs posted a black and white, shared selfie with his elegant princess.

Unlike previous Selena snaps, it’s still up at his Instagram and may be the only statement the pair make about their reunion.

(Photo: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez still non-deleted, shared selfie, posted August 27.)

A source close to the couple told Us Weekly they’re spending lots of time together, adding, “They are doing what they are doing.”

The insider made a point of revealing Selena isn’t fretting about how her rekindled romance might look to others.

“She doesn’t care, she doesn’t define it,” the source added, frankly.

@SummersNotHot i think people break up to make up all the time. just give them space, they’ll figure it out. i believe in true love

— bella thorne (@bellathorne) August 29, 2014

Bottom line? Bieber and Gomez are not in play date territory any more. Instead, they appear to be conducting their relationship according to their own rules and expectations.

Will it last? Who knows? Perhaps even they don’t. But that’s their business.

For now, Jelena are holding hands and holding on. To each other.

(Photo: The reunited hitmakers arriving in Ontario. A day later Bieber posted an Instagram photo of Gomez horseback riding.)

(Photo: The seemingly bashful actress-singer with her beau.)

(Photo: In another posting, the “Baby” star shared a selfie from the ranch.)

(Photo: Jelena get up close and personal riding an ATV on Friday, August 29 in Canada.)

(Photo: “Our love is unconditional,” Bieber said of his and Gomez’s relationship in a June 11 Instagram.)

[Images via WENN/Instagram/ PacificCoastNews.]