YOUR romance
Sitting under the sun in the Boston Common, I watched as the oh-he’s-so-dreamy look panned across the faces of four college girls watching a half-naked male runner. With stolen breath and droplets of drool on the corners of their lips, they each lowered their sunglasses and followed the toned man’s thighs up to his groin. The loveliest of the girls nonchalantly sipped on Starbucks iced coffee, while (I’m quite positive) she nervously imagined him stopping to introduce himself. Though Mother Nature has yet to prove herself serious for the season, June is right around the corner and the semester is about to end. Watching these teenyboppers got me thinking; who isn’t looking for the perfect summer romance? Here are some tips for landing the object of your desire:
1. Be you
Some people can easily catch every eye at the bar scene, but flirting is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you don’t feel like you’re being you by hitting on random people or watching strangers run through the park, don’t do that. Try other things like meeting people through friends, your work environment, or even online. Sophomore WLP major Katie Hubbard suggests using the new popular dating website, OkCupid. “OkCupid is a great way to meet people when you’re home for the summer and not doing your usual college party scene,” says Hubbard, “It’s also good to meet people to pre-screen them and make sure you have interests in common so your relationship isn’t based on looks or sex. It’s also better than blind dating, because you can see their pictures and decide if you’re attracted to someone before you are stuck with them for two hours.”
2. Be unique
Say you get that certain someone to agree to go out with you - now what? Leave an impression and be unforgettable by using unique dating strategies and plans. If you’re staying in Boston for the summer, make plans to meet in the Esplande one Wednesday night for a free orchestra concert.
Explore the different beaches that surround Boston (there’s Carson, Revere, and Castle Island for starters), or set up a scavenger hunt around the city using the SCVNGR app that’ll lead your date to you. If you’re wherever home is, try a backyard bonfire or check out Pintrest for some unique and crafty romantic treats that your date probably hasn’t seen or tasted before.
3. Appear confident
Insecurities and summer go handin-hand, but don’t let them hinder your romantic side. Smile a lot, be bold, stand straight, and just be a good person. And lighten up a bit! Asking someone on a first date is nerve-wracking, but remember that the person you’re trying to pick up is most likely equally as nervous. And here are some tips to keep that summer love dear to your future self.
4. Be practical
If you’re traveling for the summer, like myself, don’t commit yourself to a relationship that’s bound to fail the long distance trek. As mammals, we weren’t designed to love from long distances. The creation period didn’t introduce us to Facebook or email or even letter writing. As a person with the physical need for interaction and connection,
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be practical when making relationship decisions if you’re not grounded in one place for a long period of time.
5. Be kind (to yourself) If things begin with someone and are not following the path you imagined, break it off, make some changes, or set up boundaries. As young, emotional adults, it’s expected that we just cling to the first person that seems to accept us for who we are. But if you’re making self-changes you never wanted to make, be kind to yourself and end the relationship. Taking care of you is most important always; the ones you love are next in line.
6. Be present
I’ve learned a lot about mindfulness recently. Mindfulness establishes and emphasizes one’s day-to-day life maintaining as much as possible, and a calm awareness of one’s bodily functions, sensations, thoughts, perceptions, and consciousness. Mindfulness is good. Practicing being present has been a game-changer for me and I suggest using it in summer romance situations. Don’t plan ahead, just enjoy the summer day and the light, fluttering feeling you get when you’re crush or partner is around.
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