Dear Gen Z, 

Each and every one of us wants to fall in love. We want our true love’s kiss and a happy Disney movie ending. But let’s be real; do you know a single person who has that? Relationships nowadays revolve around how good your Snapchat flirting game is, Instagram “what do you look like” photos and how fast you can text back, (but not too fast). Gen Z, what happened?

When I think of a perfect relationship, I think back to the past. DISCLAIMER: Readers above the age of 30, do not get offended when I call your relationship style “old-timey.” As a high school student, anyone who has lived in a time without social media is considered old. Though, you really shouldn’t take offense to that. I aspire to live out my romantic fantasies just like you.

I want someone to take me out on a date, or maybe even ask me out in person. I know this seems like a lot to ask, but it’s really not. When I watch old high school movies like “Grease” or “Sixteen Candles,” the love that the couples have for each other is completely different from the “love” I see today. The fictional couples go out together on weekends, show a little PDA and share their deepest secrets. What’s stopping this generation from walking up to the person they like and asking them to go on a date? If you’re a wuss, just say it. I hate to break it to you, but a “wyd” text around midnight isn’t a date invitation. It’s a recipe for disaster. 

One of the purest things in life is the connections we make with others, and those start with communication. Nothing beats chatting with your crush on the phone as the clock strikes twelve. After talking with them for hours, you feel intertwined with the person. “Old-timey” relationships were built on telephone calls, and I envy them for it. Boys and girls would kill for an extra minute on the landline. Through my personal Gen Z experiences, I have found that most people in our generation get anxious talking on the phone, or even in person. Old-timers didn’t have Snapchat, Messages or FaceTime, giving them much stronger conversational skills than us. A landline and the occasional paper and pen were all they needed to communicate, and it seemed to work out well. 

There’s one real factor I see consistent with old-timey relationships: that is, the couple seems to genuinely care about each other. The man buys her flowers when she’s upset, asks her dad for permission to take her out and opens the door for her when getting into his car. Women were treated how they should be treated – like princesses. Why can’t guys pick up on this? Deep down in my heart I have an ounce of faith for Gen Z. I believe that maybe, just maybe we can bring back the chivalry that there once was. Nowadays, the modern relationship is held together by sex and social media. Hookup culture has taken over and people don’t care about each others’ feelings, just how far around the bases they can go. Forget sending love letters, Gen Z will ask if you send. I have a feeling our grandparents weren’t sent unsolicited nudes to their mailbox as a marriage proposal.

I’m tired of this modern-aged romantic style. I want a relationship where I feel genuinely connected to the other person. I want to get to know someone face-to-face, not through pointless snaps of the ceiling. I want someone to take me to watch the sunset, not an empty parking lot. I want to watch movies with my significant other while I’m wrapped up in their arms, not Netflix & chill. Gen Z, is this too much to ask? 

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