The Importance of Dating

It seems like our generation is the “hang out” generation; our definition of a romantic relationship has shifted and our values have changed.

Many don’t believe in conventional dating. I know some couples that have never actually been on a formal date because they just “didn't see the point.” While it may not seem like a big deal, dates are extremely important for the growth, longevity, and the spontaneity of a relationship. According to a March 2016 Washington Post article, 70 percent of straight unmarried couples break up within the first year. With the way our generation deals with relationships, it’s not too surprising.

Sometimes when we're in a relationship for a long time, we start to get comfortable with that person. Farting no longer seems like a sin and burping in front of your partner becomes ordinary. When it feels like there's nothing left to know about one another, it gets boring.

As cliché as it might sound, you have to get the spark back in your relationship, and dating is the way to do it. Dates play an important role in helping couples get to know and understand each other better. Whether it be a picnic, a movie, dinner, hiking, a road trip, a long walk on a trail, or a coffee date, the experience of doing things together will remind the both of you why you fell in love in the first place.

Dates are a time a time to recall all the things you love about your significant other, to discover more about them, and to go outside your comfort zone by trying the activities they love or finding new hobbies together.

Of course, dating requires sacrifices from you and your partner. There will definitely be times when she wants pizza but you're craving Taco Bell, or he wants to go watch the game at Buffalo Wild Wings and you want to catch a movie you've been dying to see.

This is where sacrifice and compromise come into play. Show your partner that you love them and they matter by setting aside time from your busy schedule to go out with them. Trust me, I understand how exhausting and time consuming it is being full-time students with part-time jobs and extracurricular activities. But don't forget important dates and events. Make the time to ensure your partner knows they’re important to you.

My relationship with my boyfriend and high school sweetheart is a prime example of why going on dates is important for couples. After being best friends, we started dating as seniors—it felt like a movie. Everything we did was intense, fun, and adventurous. We went off to college together and everything seemed so perfect. But nothing is ever perfect.

The longer we had been together, the less emphasis we put on dating. We would hang out all the time, without actually doing anything, and our relationship started to feel stale compared to how much fun we were having before. I decided to talk to him about it and see if there was a way we could reconcile our relationship. We both agreed that we hadn't been on an actual date in so long and that we were definitely overdue for one.

We began going on dates more, which really helped us feel more connected and involved again. Our long talks made me realize why I felt so strongly about him, and I saw a huge improvement in our relationship. We were closer, happier, and had more fun. My boyfriend and I have now been together for three years. It hasn't always been easy, but we've learned a great deal about what sacrifice and compromise truly mean and the importance of consistently going out.

Dates are not only essential to the development, stability, and longevity of a relationship; they also help foster bonds and form memories. The further you get in a relationship, the more you'll begin to value and appreciate the memories you've created and you'll be inspired to create more.