Every now and then, I find myself reflecting on how much the world has changed—especially when it comes to dating. I look at how people date nowadays, and honestly, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful that I got married early. Not just because I found someone I love and trust, but because dating in today’s world seems like a complicated, confusing maze that people are struggling to find their way through.
There was a time when dating felt simple and honest. You’d meet someone through friends, family, or just out in the world. You’d talk, laugh, get to know each other, and if the connection was real, you’d keep seeing one another. It was built on curiosity, mutual respect, and a natural desire to grow closer over time. Of course, relationships always took work, but there was clarity—you knew who you were dealing with, and where things might be headed.
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But now? Dating has evolved—or maybe I should say devolved—into something that feels more like an investigation than a romance. It's no longer just about having chemistry or shared values. It’s about background checks, cross-checking stories, googling social media accounts, and second-guessing every detail someone shares. People are constantly on alert, trying to protect themselves from being misled, manipulated, or worse—betrayed.
I’ve read and heard so many stories that truly break my heart. One that stays with me is of a woman who dated a man for over a year, only to find out that he was already married with children—a truth he had hidden so well that even her closest friends had no clue. No red flags. No signs. Just a devastating reality that shattered her trust in people. That kind of deception makes dating feel like a game of survival, not love.
In today's dating scene, it’s not just about opening your heart—it’s about guarding it fiercely. You have to stay alert, observe closely, and ask the questions you wish you didn’t have to ask. Is this person really who they say they are? What do their online footprints say about them? Are they showing me their real life, or just the curated version meant to impress? And while everyone deserves privacy, these questions have become necessary precautions.
To me, this level of emotional and mental vigilance takes a toll. Dating has become an emotional rollercoaster that requires you to be part lover, part detective, and part therapist. You must balance hope with suspicion, attraction with caution. And it’s exhausting.
That’s why I treasure what I have. I look at the love I built early on—the trust, the shared experiences, the simple joys of growing together—and I realize just how precious it truly is. I didn’t have to navigate dating apps or decode cryptic text messages. I didn’t have to wonder if the person sitting across from me at dinner was hiding a second life. Instead, I had the chance to build something steady in a time when love still felt straightforward.
This isn’t to say that love can’t be found today. Of course it can—and many people still build beautiful relationships in this modern world. But it’s harder now, and the obstacles are real. I see so many good-hearted people who want genuine connection but are stuck in a dating culture that feels transactional, temporary, or even toxic.
If you're someone out there still searching, I want to say: I see you. I admire your courage. It takes strength to keep believing in love when the world makes it so hard. And if you’ve found someone who makes it all feel worth it—hold onto them. Celebrate them. Protect what you’re building together.
As for me, I’ll always be thankful that I found love early—not just because it brought me happiness, but because it spared me from a dating world that sometimes feels more like a battlefield than a fairytale. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
