Video May Have Killed the Radio Star, but Texting killed the Relationship.

What happened to a good, old fashioned, run of the mill telephone call to ask how our day went? Since when did relationship communication get condensed into nothing more than a series of back and forth texts every day. Or every other day for that matter.

I’m thinking of getting rid of the text feature on my phone.

Ok, ok, but all kidding aside, if we do nothing but text every friend, family member, or romantic interest in our lives, what differentiates each relationship from another? How is one text more pleasurable, easy going, and ‘fun to be around’ than the next? Has anyone ever fallen in love with someone’s texts? “Oh, you should see the way Dave puts the big smilies after he texts me ‘Good Morning’ every other morning..or when he remembers…I think he may be the one!” No. You never hear that. At least, I hope we haven’t reached that point. The point where we’ll take any form of affection and communication over none at all. And surely, we’ve all misread the tone or message of texts—sometimes getting upset over nothing or taking things ‘the wrong way.’ I’ve been in plenty of text messaging arguments (if you can call them that) over misinterpreted messages…but instead of makeup sex, you get the makeup smiley face. Wow, you just can’t beat that….

I had a texting boyfriend once. It started through Facebook messaging, continued through text, and ended by email. How’s that for a twenty-first century relationship! Of course, we did see each other in person about 3 times that month….
My point is, how can we possibly get to truly value one person’s companionship over another when everyone is nothing more than Arial Bold-Size 10? How do we suppose we ‘hit it off’ with someone we don’t make an effort to talk to or see… Do we just not want to? Are we too busy to be bothered with all that ‘getting to know you’ nonsense? And, at what point does texting signify ‘talking?’ You know, that ‘about to date’ period just before sex and right after coffee?

And no, the texting/relationship curse doesn’t discriminate between young and old, tech savvy and incompetent—no, even older generations are giving up on the ol’ phone call and giving in to the easy way out. They may not be able to program their DVR but by golly they can text their heart out. I know a man who's 80 and texts-and, not still texting, he just started!

The bottom line is this—if you are interested in someone, and in a completely different way than your mother or your best friend (both of which I assume you already know pretty well) then pick up the phone, dial his or her number, and call….
Don’t agree? Fine. Just send me a message…
I have unlimited texts.

-PD 2009