Whatever happened to romance? I mean pure, selfless, head over heels, take-a-chance, show the world, beautiful, poetic romance…. I truly fear that our generation has completely missed out on the grandeur of love; hollowing it down and confining it to the limits of 140 characters.

In today’s world, being “romantic” involves text messages and the words ‘hang out’ as the way to show interest. Facebook messages popping up, ‘hey’ and  tweeting — hoping your words are interpreted by your intended reader. People being as indirect and vague as humanly possible to avoid being forward, being embarrassed, or getting hurt. Let’s call it the sub-text of dating.

When did the idea of asking someone on an actual date become so taboo? 

Today it’s confusing to know where you even stand with someone else. I’m just “talking to this guy” or I’m kind of “seeing this girl” … what does that event mean? Why does dating have to be such a game — when it could be an adventure.

I’m not asking that everyday be like a fairy tale. Or that everything will happen like the plot of a romantic comedy. In fact, my wish for the world is to stop living in the fantasy and start being real and raw with one another. To get to know someone outside of the bubbles of a text message and the go-to LOL response.

How about… Laugh out loud. With another person. In the same room. 

You can tell the world the things you ‘like’ all over social media. So tell it to them. To their face. Not their Facebook…

Stop thinking of everything in the terms of ‘insta’ and instead take your time.

Open doors. And close all the chats.

Be tender & vulnerable instead of swiping on Tinder.

Send flowers, or balloons, or love letters, not friend requests.

Know their story. Don’t watch it through Snapchat. Be apart of it.

Vow never to use the abbreviations, when language is limitless.

Let’s start to pursue the idea of pursuing…

Feature Image Courtesy of JamesAnn Photography

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Blair Cissell

Blair Cissell is trying to figure out this whole "adulting" thing. She is a fairly recent college graduate, is married to the man of her dreams & just had (in her opinion) the cutest baby in the world. She has left the full time work force temporarily for baby, and is figuring out this whole stay-at-home-mom life. Writing has always been a passion, that she uses to express her (limited) experience on love, relationships, parenthood and growing-up while exploring the beauty & power of words. 

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