BE MINE... UNTIL THE END OF TIME THE HISTORY OF LOVE SPELLS
THE ONE WHERE I MET MY BEST FRIENDS HOW CLASSIC NEW YORK SITCOMS REMIND US WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noa Chamberlin
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Rayyan Bhatti
INTERNAL RELATIONS
DIRECTOR
Kayla Hendrikse
PUBLIC RELATIONS
DIRECTOR
Maggie Boettinger
CULTURE EDITOR
Kate Reuscher
ARTS EDITOR
Cate Tarr
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Mi Chuinda Levy
FASHION EDITOR
Reese Diethrich
ONLINE EDITOR
Maddy Scharrer
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADS
Molly Claus
Paige Valley
GRAPHIC AND ILLUSTRATION LEAD
Breanna Dunworth
STYLING LEAD
Sydney Alston
SHOOT PRODUCTION LEADS
Molly Ford
Ava Putnam
VIDEOGRAPHY LEADS
Thea Fonstad
Shloka Mohanty
ART
Sydney Alston • Elise Daczko
• Breanna Dunworth • Payton
Fuller • Natalie Khmelevsky • Kira
Lee • Bella Muller
PHOTOGRAPHY
Rayyan Bhatti • Molly Claus •
Heidi Falk • Molly Ford • Mary Richards • Maya Stegner • Alexander Wilcox • Paige Valley
MODELS
Ben Arnoldussen • Sarah Ayen
• Urmika Banerjee • Eleanor
Bennet • Davidetta Boakai • Colt • Saanvi Edara • Molly
Ford • Mickey Griffith • Emily Hokansan • Jaiden Jefferson • Anishka Jha • Laya Karthikeyan
• Avery Krieghoff • Megan Lewis
• Asa Linn • Rory Madden •
Ben Martin • Rhys McVonnHenkelmann • Violet Pandya • Anna Passos • Mary Richards
• Lucia Ricker • Alisha Sabih • Julia Yeakey
Kaitlyn Ard • Noa Chamberlin •
Maggie Cleary • Sophia Corsaro
• Elise Daczko • Reese Diethrich
• Kate Dietz • James Fox • Alyna
Hildenbrand • Talia Horn • Sophie Hyman • Mi Chuinda Levy • Marceya Polinger-Hyman • Josie
Purisch • Vanessa Snyder • Cate Tarr • Adelaide Taylor
SHOOT DIRECTION AND STYLING
Sydney Alston • Kaitlyn Ard •
Ella Bartkowski • Molly Claus
• Molly Ford • Nour Kanan • Ashley Liu • Ava Putnam •
Angela Zhang
What my grandmother’s magical love story taught
How classic New York sitcoms remind us what’s really
importance of showcasing
on the
Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar spotlights
Discovering the many ways to show yourself love is one of the bravest things you can do
Gen-Z is redlining romance, commitment
the art of being alonerelationships
An interview with a couple married for over five decades reveals the beauty and resilience
The history of love spells
ruined dating culture?
Disconnecting devotion from the media in an exploration of true love
Dear readers,
Love. A word that saturates our world.
When “Love” was proposed as the theme for this year’s digital issue, I was initially skeptical. Love? Really? Everyone knows what love is. Who hasn’t written about it, talked about it or tried to define it? How could we approach love in a way that felt different? In many ways, we can’t. But for this issue, we set out to explore love’s many dimensions—beyond romance, into connections that shape our lives, from family and friendship to community and compassion.
Yet, love often feels diluted, its meaning lost in overuse and cliché. By stripping away the fluff and romanticized illusions, we hope to uncover love in its truest form.
We’re not dismissing romance, but expanding the definition. Love is complex. It’s layered. It’s more than just the grand gestures we see in movies or the flood of pink and red that takes over storefronts in February. Love is always around us, whether we notice it or not. With this issue, we aim to reclaim the weight of this four-letter word: Love.
In choosing to look beyond romance, Reese Diethrich discusses the significance of friendships in her piece “The Sweetest Devotion.” Through personal experience, she reflects on the deep value of platonic relationships, highlighting how love isn’t limited to family or romance, but also found in the friendships that evolve throughout our lives.
In “Swiping Right on Love,” Adelaide Taylor analyzes modern dating culture, questioning whether dating apps enhance or hinder our ability to form genuine connections. While recognizing the benefits of online dating, Taylor also mentions its potential drawbacks, encouraging readers to consider the media’s impact on our relationships.
In his piece “Creating Self-Love,” James Fox addresses the difficulties of self-love during life’s most difficult moments and offers a solution in the connection between creativity and self-compassion. Fox highlights how engaging in creative outlets—activities done purely for oneself—can be a powerful act of self-love, especially when we need it most.
Romantic love matters, yes, but it’s just one piece of a much bigger picture. Love exists in so many forms—some obvious, others overlooked. I hope this issue challenges you to recognize the love in your own life, whether through friendship, family, self-acceptance or the fleeting moments of kindness exchanged between strangers.
May these stories remind you that love, in all its forms—both stereotypically cheesy and the kind that goes unnoticed—is worth celebrating.
Lovely reading
Noa Chamberlin Editorial Director
Written by Hayes Sullivan, Staff Writer
Graphic by Bella Muller, Creative Team
To be quite honest, I find humor in the shape of Madison’s own State Street Target during the month of February. Each aisle filled with chocolates in heart shaped boxes, red roses and empty cards ready to be filled with hand written expressions of love.
Blah blah blah.
But my question is, would people even buy this stuff if it wasn’t almost Valentine’s Day? Is anyone even buying this stuff?
My apologies, I don’t mean to sound so enthusiastic about Valentine’s Day and the month of love. However, it’s worth mentioning that love clearly is not what it used to be. Or maybe, it just looks different now.
During a recent visit with my fabulous grandmother, who I call Bug, we spent a rainy day curled up under blankets, trading stories for hours. Somewhere along the way, I asked to hear the story of how she met her late husband, my step-grandfather, Bob. Let’s just say, by the end of the story we were both ugly crying—happy tears, of course.
There is a reason I bring up Bug’s magical love story after sharing my bleak feelings for the Valentine’s Day section of Target—there is a clear disconnect nowadays, and we need to address it.
In a sea of dating apps, swipes and likes, “Netflix and Chill,” I cannot possibly be the only one questioning where we’ve gone wrong.
After some careful consideration, I’ve concluded that there is an obvious common denominator here: social media.
In this digital age, we see dating apps like Tinder, Bumble or Hinge, which, sure, make it easier to meet people and make connections, but they often encourage quick judgements based on appearance or short bios that hardly represent a person at their core.
Not to mention, the digital age has given rise to an over reliance on virtual communication. While this can be incredibly beneficial for long distance relationships, it can also hinder faceto-face communication.
Bob and Bug met as adolescents growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Despite objections from my great-grandparents because of their age difference, Bob did not waver in pursuing Bug. He was head-over-heels for her beauty, wit and mischievous nature. For years, he pined after her.
“The spark was undeniable,” Bug told me that day on the couch. “Pure electricity.”
Once, during a party at Bob’s house, he asked my grandmother to take the keys to his brand new, Carolina blue Buick convertible to pick up a specific set of mint julep cups. Bug crashed his car on the way back, absolutely mortified at what she had done.
Despite Bob’s love for his convertible, his love for my grandmother was greater.
“You could crash the most expensive car in the world and still be the woman of my dreams,” Bob said to Bug that day.
When Bug was about to start her second year of college in North Carolina, she was devastated to find out that my great grandparents could no longer afford to support both her and her brother in the marines so they would be moving to Atlanta, Georgia.
She and Bob were heartbroken to be separated.
But Bob would not let this be the end. He wrote to her for eight years straight, tirelessly confessing that his love would never fade.
My great grandparents once said that this was immature of him, that he was unfocused and could never take care of a family, let alone take care of a dog.
Days later, Bob showed up at their doorstep with a german shepherd puppy for Bug, just to prove a point. He told my great grandparents that he would raise the most perfectly trained dog if it meant proving just how “mature and focused” he was.
He drove seven hours to do so.
Despite their love for each other, Bug went on to experience her own series of heartbreaks and heartaches with her fair share of men (she is a total catch), and she married a different man many years later—my grandfather, Jim.
As a congratulations, Bob sent her a wedding present: the mint julep cups from the day she crashed his car. He had nothing but love and support for her.
After a successful 40 years of marriage, Bug and grandfather, Jim, amicably split. Meanwhile, Bob had never taken another lover. He waited his entire life for her, writing to her for years, never missing an opportunity to express how he felt about her.
"The
Bob finally married Bug when she was 65 years old.
To all the gentlemen reading this, take notes from Bob. Playing the long game is totally worth it.
There is a certain stoicism to my grandmother that I have always admired. She brings peace to every room she walks into. I told her this, and she put her hand over her heart and replied, “That’s because I found my peace late in life. I finally got my Bobby.”
Great, I’m tearing up again.
For crying out loud, my 17-year-old brother and his girlfriend exclusively communicate over Snapchat.
My grandmother’s love story by no means occurred overnight. It required patience. The 21st century, on the other hand, has fostered a culture of instant gratification. With the internet at our fingertips, we’ve grown accustomed to ordering food with the tap of a button or finding answers to any question within a matter of seconds. Is it far-fetched to think this mindset has seeped into relationships, making us impatient to build deep connections?
Or what about the infamous “highlight reel” of love we see all over social media? It’s no secret that social media platforms like Instagram showcase the best, most curated moments of people’s lives. This naturally creates unrealistic expectations about relationships, adding a layer of superficiality to love and encouraging comparison with others.
This is where I pose the million dollar question: Is love lost?
Social media is not going anywhere. So, instead of succumbing to cynicism, we must instead work with it.
If there is anything I learned from Bug’s love story and all of Bob’s gestures, it’s that authenticity always wins.
So, let’s start there.
Instead of perfectly curating our bios, feeds and highlight reels, let’s work towards representing our truest and most authentic selves, both on and offline.
Wear what you want. Leave your hair messy. Belly laugh at jokes. Put your heart on the line, just like Bob did when he drove seven hours for the sake of his love.
Bob didn’t win Bug over by hiding behind a screen or pretending to be someone he wasn’t. And Bug certainly didn’t win him over by trying to fit in with the other girls who could drive convertibles.
Authenticity wins.
So here’s my advice to you all: learn what you can from the inspiring stories of the past, and recognize that living in the moment and being yourself pays off. Value face-to-face interactions. Unplug for a while. There’s no need to hide behind a screen, let yourself be seen.
Whether it be Valentine’s Day or not, I encourage you all to embrace the existing love around us. Who knows? Maybe by age 65 you could finally find yourself married to the person of your dreams.
Let’s hope it’s a little sooner than that, though.
People often feel the need to force themselves into a single box when accessorizing, giving into the pressure of trends and fast fashion. However, the debate of wearing gold versus silver jewelry presents itself a little differently, with various societal aspects coercing people to choose one or the other.
In most cases, people choose one color and stick with it, which feels strange in a world where fashion changes rapidly. Whether the decision was based on an opinion of friends and family or possibly an online quiz, people limit themselves in the ways they accessorize.
The often-heard question “Do you wear silver or gold?” has stopped consumers from branching out as much as they do in other aspects of their fashion choices, leading many to feel bound to a single option. Could you imagine choosing to wear a single color of clothing forever? While some may enjoy the simplicity in a single choice, others discover confidence in exploring different options.
Silver and gold have been deemed “timeless,” but is that really the case? Both colors have had their own moments in the spotlight throughout history.
Family heirlooms also play a role in shaping our preferences. Inheriting jewelry from your grandparents or other relatives can steer the color choice we feel connected to, subtly guiding our choices over time.
Additionally, popular culture plays a role. Melissa Twig of Style Magazine shares that both metals have had their own moments.1 She speaks about popular figures of the early 2000s largely sporting gold jewelry, influencing people of that generation to leave silver behind. However, silver’s “cool clean tones” have become more popular in recent years.2
1 Mellisa Twig, “Gold, Begone! How Silver Jewelry Reclaimed the Throne in 2023,” Nov. 8, 2023.
2 Ibid.
Apart from societal and familial impacts, the media has led many astray. With the ever-growing presence of social media, the number of opinions you see online has only increased. Consumers are blatantly told they should wear one color over the other based on shaky logic.
When you simply Google “silver or gold jewelry,” several different sites pop up, such as Flawed Brand’s article “Gold or Silver, what is your Color?”3 Sites like this play into typical stereotypes to “help” you make a choice.
Just because you have blue eyes and light hair does not mean you need to stick to silver. And simply being outspoken does not mean gold is the only thing for you! Branching out and deciding your favorites is the only way to get it right.
Until recently, wearing both metals together could be considered messy and unfashionable. Now, playing into the “metal mixing” trend can provide a middle ground for those wanting to experiment with accessories. Wearing silver and gold pieces together can make an outfit polished and intentional, creating a timeless and trendy look.
Silver and gold will always be integral parts of accessorizing. Choosing what’s for you and playing into rising trends is a great way to curate your look. Finding what fits you, your personality and your style is the best way to love yourself and your outfit!
How classic New York sitcoms remind us what’s really important
Written by Talia Horn, Assistant Arts Editor
Four friends walk into Tom’s Restaurant and sit at their regular table. Five years later, six friends walk into Central Perk coffee shop and relax on their favorite couch. Eleven years after that, five friends walk into Maclaren’s pub and shimmy around to fit at their seemingly personal booth. Notice a pattern here? Time and time again we see reflected on our screens the trope of young friends taking on New York City in their 20s, and time and time again, we absolutely love it.
What is it about this trope that grasps onto viewers and develops invested, culture-shifting fandoms? It is not the Ross and Rachel or Ted and Robin will-they won’t-they, but rather, their depictions of deep, undeniable platonic relationships.
Even “How I Met Your Mother,” a show whose premise is built on the main character, Ted Mosby, finding the love of his life, is in actuality about his friends and the memories they made along the way. And nine seasons later, it is those same friends that make the finale credits feel like the world’s worst breakup.
Friends on shows like these are the kinds of friends that laugh at you when you fall before lending their hand. They are the ones who can be meaner to you than anyone else without ever being mean. They will stand behind you like they do behind Jerry Seinfeld as he berates the dry cleaner for shrinking his shirt.
They are the kind who will force themselves to eat your nausea-inducing seven-layer custard as the “Friends” gang did to protect Rachel’s feelings. Even something as ridiculous as knowing that “Joey doesn’t share food” is blindly understood by Rachel.
These are the friends who love your quirks, and, despite not understanding them, accept them as law.
It was never about who did or didn’t “get off the plane” or held up that blue
french horn, it was instead about the love they feel for the people who see it all. The everyday moments, the weird music phases and the later regretted vodka shots are just a few examples of the less glossy phases of friendship these characters cherish throughout the episodes.
A unique aspect of the relationships in these shows is how they seem to defy all expectations. Despite being in completely different occupations, tax brackets and love life stages, each friendship has managed to stay just as close throughout the years.
Jobs, school and hobbies—they take over our lives. We’ve all seen it. “Everyday friends” become “once a week friends,” and all of a sudden you realize you haven’t spoken to some of your favorite people in a month.
Falling away from friends you love is so easy, and defying this reality is what makes these shows different. Rather than slowly distancing as life molds and shifts the way it does in your 20s, they are closer than ever.
While most of us have not had the utopian friend tropes like these shows possess, we may have had one or two friends who mirror the friends we see on TV.
These are the people who know us both when we are bright-eyed and ready to take on the world and also when we are crying on the bathroom floor. They love us regardless. However, these friendships don’t exist with the plot armor of nine seasons, so we must hold onto them ourselves.
Beyond the friendships, these shows, set in the powder keg of untapped spontaneity that is New York City, remind us about the fleeting nature of moments. There is something untouchable about the stories created alongside the friends with whom you share your youth.
The blessing and curse of these stories is that they cannot be retold. What makes your stomach ache from laughter at 3:00 a.m. in a greasy diner seems to lose its humor when told to another in the daylight next morning. They do not translate, for they are written in a language understood only by those who are present.
“How I Met Your Mother,” “Friends” and “Seinfeld” teach us that these moments have short lifespans. We are all living in a time when such moments are made, and we must grab them while we can.
So remember to look up while you and your friends are running down Langdon street to a party clutching your ice cold arms, getting into 2:00 a.m. screaming matches at Ian’s pizza or having one of those talks about the future that seem to carry the weight of the world on an apartment floor.
In the “How I Met Your Mother” finale, decades later, the group returns and sits at their household booth. Marshall turns around to a fresh faced new young group of friends and says, “Do you know what happened here in this very booth?” Naturally, they ask what.
It dawns on Marshall that he cannot sum up all the highs and lows, drunken falls, confessions of love and endless laughter that occurred in that bar and in those friendships. So he simply responds, “Just all kinds of stuff.”1
After all, in 30 years when our kids hear us on the phone like teenagers, kicking our feet from laughter, they’ll know who we’re talking to just by the inflection of our voice and lightness in our step.
But until then, we look to the screen and find fulfillment in the complex friendships full of life and love shown before us. Existing on their own island in that restaurant booth, it almost feels like it has a seat waiting just for us too.
1 “How I Met Your Mother,” season 9, episode 24, “Last Forever Part 2”, directed by Pamela Fryman, aired March 31st, 2014, on CBS.
Written by Maggie Cleary, Staff Writer | Graphics by Payton Fuller, Creative Team
Astrology transcends the frameworks of culture, time and technology while still maintaining its core purpose: helping individuals seek meaning, guidance and self-awareness in their lives. In a world increasingly dominated by science and logic, astrology offers a more intuitive, introspective approach to understanding ourselves and our relationships.
But what exactly is astrology and how can it help you with self-love and relationships? Let’s explore the history, mechanics and modern-day magic of astrology—plus, we’ll see what the stars have to say about some of our very own Modies!
What is astrology and where did it come from?
Astrology is an ancient practice that traces the celestial movements of the planets, Sun and Moon to earthly events. Historically, many cultures, including the Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks, developed astrological systems to interpret these celestial in fluences and used them to make pre dictions and help better understand human behavior.
1 Robert Andrew Gilbert and David E. Pingree, “Astrology,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified February 15, 2024.
Astrology captures the idea that the positions of the stars, planets, Sun and Moon at the time of your birth influence your personality, relationships and life path. While astrology isn’t considered a science, its psychological and spiritual benefits keep people engaged with the practice.
Historically, farmers and travelers used this celestial system to navigate their travels and planting seasons.2 Now, astrology is used as a tool for self-reflection, personal growth and guidance in decision-making, with many people turning to horoscopes and birth charts to gain insight into their emotions and relationships.
At the heart of astrology is your birth chart—a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment you were born. Your chart consists of the 12 zodiac signs, planetary placements and houses, all work-
Planetary placements indicate how the energies of different planets influence various aspects of an individual’s personality and life experiences, while houses represent specific areas of life where these influences manifest, such as relationships, career paths and personal growth.
Horoscopes, which many people read in newspapers or apps, simplify this concept by offering general predictions and advice based on sun signs— the zodiac sign associated with where the sun was on your birth date. Yet, deeper astrological insights come from understanding moon signs, rising signs and planetary transits. Moon signs reveal emotional responses, rising signs indicate outward presentation and overall life approach and planetary transits influence current experiences and personal growth.3
To bring astrology to life, we profiled a few Modies, offering them cosmic advice on love, relationships and self-discovery based on their zodiac signs.
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Moon Sign: Sagittarius Ascendant: Virgo
According to her chart, Mi is independent, autonomous and always has a multitude of unique, progressive ideas. However, Aquarians are likely to grow overly detached under the guise of remaining independent. Similarly, Lunar Sagittarians value their personal freedom and happiness.
Advice: As an Aquarian, you may feel different from others. Embrace this uniqueness and use it to foster connections with like-minded individuals who appreciate your individuality. Don’t hesitate to share your innovative ideas and perspectives, as they can inspire others and create meaningful connections.
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Moon Sign: Cancer Ascendant: Pisces
As a Sagittarius, Kaitlyn is likely to be adventurous, optimistic and free-spirited. She has a love for exploration, whether it’s through travel, learning or
philosophical pursuits. Sagittarians are known for their honesty and straightforwardness, often seeking truth and meaning in their experiences. With her Moon in Cancer, Kaitlyn is likely emotionally intuitive, nurturing and sensitive. She values deep emotional connections and strongly attaches to her home and family.
Advice: Kaitlyn’s straightforward Sagittarian nature can sometimes clash with her sensitive Cancer Moon. It’s important for her to communicate her feelings openly while also being mindful of others’ emotions, ensuring that her honesty is delivered with compassion.
Sun Sign: Taurus
Moon Sign: Taurus Ascendant: Pisces
With both my Sun and Moon in Taurus, I am likely to value stability and comfort, often seeking security in my relationships and surroundings. This security can also manifest in finding solace in familiar routines and environments. My ascendant Pisces, however, can enhance my creativity, intuition and compassion.
Advice: As a Taurus, I should learn to embrace my sign’s reliability and stability. Being a reliable friend can attract others who appreciate my grounded nature and create a strong foundation for long-lasting friendships. While Tauruses value stability, life is unpredictable! Tauruses should work on practicing patience and flexibility.
Here’s how to get started:
Find your birth chart: Use free sites like Astro and Cafe Astrology to generate your birth chart. My personal favorite is Co-Star, which is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Journal your reflections: Maintain a journal to track how these newfound astrological insights align with your life experiences.
Have an open mind: If you approach astrology with an open mind, it can be a unique way to reflect on yourself and your life. Even if you’re not fully immersed in it, just seeing it as a tool for self-reflection might offer some interesting insights.
Astrology may not hold all the answers, but it offers a lens for self-exploration, connection and reflection. Whether you’re new to astrology or not, the stars are always there to offer a different perspective and guide you along your journey of self-love and self-discovery.
The complicated dynamic between girls and the color pink
Written by Vanessa Snyder, Assistant Culture Editor
Graphic by Breanna Dunworth, Graphic and Illustration Lead
Pink has become synonymous with girlhood in our society. From breast cancer awareness ribbons to Barbie dolls—a young girl’s quintessential companion—pink is deeply ingrained in our perception of femininity. So it’s no wonder that so many young women have a complicated relationship with the color that supposedly represents them.
Before falling back in love with the color—thanks to my unapologetically pink-loving roommate in high school—I went through a phase where I hated everything pink and what it supposedly stood for. But what did it stand for? And why did it elicit such a visceral reaction?
Eighteen-year-old Beatrice McCoy, a dance major from St. Louis, never liked the color pink either. She was adamant about the fact that she has disliked the color since childhood, and when asked about this aversion, she explained that she believes that pink is forced onto girls. Her rejection of it was an act of rebellion—her way of pushing back against societal expectations and asserting her individuality.
To further explore this distaste, I spoke with Savannah Silva and Rosie Osnos, two younger girls who offered contrasting perspectives on the color.
Savannah, 11, from Washington, D.C., grew up playing hockey on a boy’s team, with two accomplished athletes as older siblings. She was often surrounded by boys and preferred to play with them at recess. As a quintessential tomboy, she disliked pink because, to her, it signified vulnerability.
“I played hockey with guys who would be rude if I was girly, so I wanted to be the tough girl,” Savannah said. “I didn’t want to wear pink because I didn’t want to be called out for it.”
Why embrace something that would ostracize her?
But as her self confidence has grown, so has her ability to disregard others’ expectations. “I think I’ve changed a lot,” she said toward the end of the interview. While her younger self was adamantly against all things “girly,” she now embraces the aspects she enjoys. She has come around on Sabrina Carpenter—a boldly feminine icon of our age—and has decided that being girly is not all bad.
Though pink itself still isn’t her favorite, she believes that the color blue is equally feminine and “girly,” an interpretation that allows her to reclaim her femininity on her own terms.
Savannah’s evolving relationship with the color stems from her personal experiences, but she’s not alone. To some degree, all girls encounter disillusionment with the idea of womanhood and the expectations attached to it.
It’s hard for a young girl who dreams of becoming president to look around and realize that only men have held that position. Or to turn on professional sports and see few female role models. But not every girl aspires to be pres-
"Forever my favorite color has been pink. Pink, pink, and pink. Only pink."
ident or an athlete—sometimes, the pressure comes from much closer to home or from the people around you.
For Savannah, it was the girls she went to school with who pushed her to feel like her only option was to befriend boys. It’s easy to understand why she would reject the color that symbolizes everything she felt was holding her back.
But not every girl shares this complicated relationship with the color. Rosie, 7, also from D.C., exuded confidence in her passion for pink.
“Forever my favorite color has been pink,” Rosie said. “Pink, pink and pink. Only pink.”
Being young and still impervious to societal expectations has its advantages.
In a single sentence, Rosie’s self-assurance and enthusiasm for the world around her shone through. There was no doubt in her mind that all things pink were fabulous, and that being a girl was awesome. She had no hesitation, no fear that femininity would hold her back. To her, pink is simple and wonderful.
“I feel like [pink] shows love. [It] makes me feel happy,” Rosie said.
For her, pink symbolizes love, happiness and warmth—positive associations nurtured by supportive role models and her upbringing. She has grown up witnessing an even division of labor
"I didn't want to wear pink because I didn't want to be called out for it."
between her parents and ample encouragement—everything a growing girl needs to smash the patriarchy.
While she still considered pink a “girl color,” she doesn’t see it as limited to girls or believe that blue isn’t also a “girl color.”
To Rosie, pink is not a restriction to girls but, rather, a source of strength and comfort for anyone. Pink is her happy place.
From an early age, girls are introduced to pink as an emblem of femininity, and their evolving relationships with the color reflect their growing understanding of womanhood. Savannah’s tumultuous journey has eventually led her to grow into her femininity on her own terms, while Rosie remains wholeheartedly enamoured with the concept. I hope she always will be.
Pink will always be intertwined with girlhood, but it should not be a color that girls feel like they must reject to be successful. In the 21st century, pink can represent everything great about being a woman—from the classic tenets of the female experience such as make-up, fashion and flowers to athletics, politics and even burping (a surprisingly common answer when I asked girls what they associate with boys).
The world may sometimes feel like a boys’ club, but true empowerment and strength comes from an acceptance of whatever makes you feel like the best version of yourself—whether that’s pink, blue or any other color. Don’t let anyone else dictate that for you.
Love whichever color inspires you. And if that color is pink, don’t be afraid to paint the town pink.
Written by Sophie Hyman, Staff Writer | Photography by Mary Richards, Creative Team | Shoot Direction by Molly Ford, Shoot Direction Lead | Styling by Nour Kanan, Creative Team | Modeled by Davidetta Boakai
What love is, what it means and how it shows itself has always been somewhat confusing to me.
We’ve all seen the tropes: the grand gesture, the whirlwind romance that’s all-consuming, the fiercely independent character who finds the one perfect person who transforms their aversion to love into a dreamy relationship that checks every box. Despite the surge of self-love practices flooding our lives, we still secretly expect these narratives to creep into our own stories.
But when love doesn’t arrive as expected, we’re often met with the same phrases: “It will happen when you least expect it!” or “Being single is so much better” (ironically, these words often come from people in relationships).
These sentiments are thrown around more than ever as Gen-Z embraces hyperindependence. But is the way we
approach love really all that different from how it’s been portrayed before?
The ghost of love’s past lingers, and its countless forms throughout history reveal how it’s evolved. Consider the dutiful love of earlier generations—love woven into marriage to preserve social stability, form alliances or maintain religious obligations.
While contemporary society has largely distanced itself from this notion, traces of it remain. Some still feel the pressure to date someone they “should,” even if the reasons aren’t as economically driven as before.
Then, there’s the “situationship,” a term that’s become all too familiar. It’s a confusing relationship with no clear boundaries, no rules and, most notably, no commitment. And yet, it’s something that many in my generation cling to.
Why don’t movies or TV shows portray this messy middle ground when it feels so prevalent in real life? This lack of commitment and the societal pressure to pursue romantic love leaves Gen-Z navigating an uncomfortable and often confusing dating world.
On the flip side, we’ve also seen the all-consuming relationship where everything you do revolves around the other person. While making sacrifices for someone you care about is normal, to what extent does it teeter too close to toxicity?
This devotional love can blur lines and lead to mistaking love for lust, moving too quickly and taking too much. There’s a lingering notion that echoes in our generations’ minds that we’re meant to give up pieces of ourselves for this great love.
In previous generations, it was typical for couples to get married young, fresh out of their teenage years. There’s nothing wrong with getting married early, but the expectation itself doesn’t fit today’s world. The pressure to find a partner before 21 or have kids by 23 no longer feels relevant.
Yet, embracing a single lifestyle when you’re young can still be met with skepticism—especially from grandparents who started families in their early twenties, before our generation would even graduate from college. This generational disconnect can create the lingering notion that romantic love and motherhood aren’t just goals—they’re the ultimate goals.
People say love is all around, and it is, but that’s a double-edged sword.
Ultimately, people don’t fear the absence of love; they fear its insufficiency. This fear is why Gen-Z struggles to love like generations before us—we don’t need to. It’s not the end of the world to be alone, and we don’t have to spend every day thinking about it.
We want love that fits into the life we already enjoy, something that expands what we have and makes it truly worthwhile.
It’s not that single people want to love just for the sake of it. We want to feel irreplaceable, to be seen as real within the relationship, not just a placeholder. When reality falls short of our expectations, many in our generation choose to stand still rather than settle.
Love is ever-changing. It allows people to want more and refuse to settle for less. It’s not that young love doesn’t exist anymore or that there’s anything wrong with enjoying meaningful experiences while dating. But we’re also learning to be alone and to genuinely enjoy it, perhaps for the first time in a new way. And I believe that is one of the most powerful ways to love life.
An interview with a couple married for over five decades reveals the beauty and resilience of lasting love
Written by Noa Chamberlin, Editorial Director |
Love is universal, yet the kind that endures decades is rare. It’s a love that withstands time, hardships and the ever-changing nature of life. To better understand this kind of love—the kind that has lasted more than double my lifetime—I sat down with Celeste and William Larson, a couple who have been married for nearly 53 years, to hear their story.
Bill (79), originally from Madison but working in Chicago at the time, met Celeste (77), a native to the city, at a wedding in Chicago in 1972. When they met, there was an instant connection. While Bill claims he knew Celeste was the one from the moment he saw her, Celeste was initially hesitant, convinced that he was interested in her roommate.
Against these doubts, they started dating and six months later, the two were married.
The early years of their relationship were filled with laughter and passion, the kind of love that feels exhilarating in its newness.
“We had fun, we had a lot of fun,” Celeste said. “We started out laughing through life.”
But what makes Bill and Celeste’s story remarkable isn’t just the passion and intensity of their beginning, but the fact that the love they built never vanished. It changed, yes, but the foundation and building blocks of their life remained strong throughout the years
Four years after their wedding, Bill and Celeste started a family, and with that, their love started to evolve.
Raising children added a new level of responsibility and, as Celeste described it, an “eye-opener” for both of them. The spontaneity of their early relationship made way for stability, for
decisions rooted in something deeper than passion.
“The focus was different,” Celeste said, “but the love that we had between us helped solidify the union on how we’d raise our children.”
Their love became less about the rush of newness and more about their continuous commitment to each other and the life they were building.
As the ups, downs and countless moments in between happened—what remained was their unwavering dedication to each other. Love, after all, is not merely a single decision. It’s a continuous choice to stand beside the same person, year after year, through everything.
“It took work and many steps to get to the point we’re at now,” Celeste said. “The love that we have now, in retrospect, is very similar to the place we were at 53 years ago.”
Hearing about Bill and Celeste’s life together has changed how I think about love.
I’m fortunate to have witnessed love in so many different aspects throughout my life, but something about the Larsons’ calm, unwavering love is uniquely special.
While they’ve lived a relatively ordinary life, their love holds something undeniably magical, even in the mundane moments. I couldn’t help but smile just looking at them.
“I’m very spontaneous,” Celeste said, laughing.
“That’s what I love about her,” Bill responded without hesitation.
While Celeste was excited to share their love story, Bill didn’t immediately understand the fuss.
"The love we have now, in retrospect, is very similar to the place we were at 53 years ago."
“He asked me, ‘So why are we going to talk to this lady?’ about three times,” Celeste said, referring to their interview with me. “I said, ‘We’re going to talk about how much we love each other!’”
And I’m so grateful they did.
“I figured out early on that she’s a lot smarter than I am,” Bill said as Celeste immediately objected.
Watching them interact gave me a deep insight into how they felt about each other—their love was almost contagious.
When I asked what they’ve learned about love and making a relationship last, Bill—who had been quieter up to this point—answered. He said that people argue sometimes, it’s part of life and relationships, but it’s important to recognize what really matters and which battles are worth fighting and which are better to let go.
“What are we disagreeing about? How important is that? Verses loving each other,” Bill said. “I wanted to marry Celeste as soon as I saw her sitting at a table, and that’s been more important to me than an argument.”
After answering my questions, they continued reminiscing, sharing stories of raising their children, watching them grow into adults and the new joy of seeing their grandchildren grow up too. They smiled and laughed as they reflected on the phases of their marriage and life together, and I truly felt that their love was the kind you find in old Hollywood movies.
“When we first started our journey, we were having fun. Then the fun part changed into more of a responsibility, and that was an eye-opener for both of us,” Celeste said. “And now, we’re back to the fun part.”
Love is not easy. Passion, excitement and attraction are the effortless parts. But love—the kind that lasts—is built on work, dedication and the willingness to fight for each other over and over again. It's continuing to choose the same person, not just for a moment, or for a few years, but for a lifetime.
Bill and Celeste’s love story is not extraordinary because of grand gestures or dramatic romance. It’s extraordinary simply because it endures. And that, in itself, is truly remarkable.
Written by Reese Diethrich, Fashion Editor
Iused to find the idea of “devotion” daunting. The thought of dedicating my life to one thing felt frightening, especially for someone like me, burdened with too many random interests and endless indecision. It didn’t help that the depictions of devotion I’d encountered did not resonate with me. Films I watched or books I read highlighted an undying commitment to something, whether it was romance, one’s craft or spirituality.
I convinced myself that these portrayals of all-encompassing, overpowering love were the only true forms of devotion. Without that single commitment, I felt lost. But meeting the right people changed my mind. While other kinds of relationships are invaluable, the friends I’ve made have shown me that friendship is the relationship I consider sacred—the one I cherish above all else.
Valuing friendship even reshaped how I spend my time. I no longer desperately seek romantic relationships or view building a family as my primary goal. Instead, each day becomes a new opportunity to look at the people around me and celebrate them. By prioritizing my friendships, I’ve built a community that will not fade with time or disappear at the first sign of hardship.
Friendship’s pure nature makes it a rare gem. Such purity lies in the fact that friends initially ask nothing of you. There is no romantic intrigue, no familial obligation. Friends are not bound to each other by anything other than a mutual desire to be near one another. Friendship is exempt from possession, expectations and burdens. It is a choice to love people as they are, for who they show up as each day.
The simplicity of forming friendships does not negate its complexity. Friendships remain fulfilling for the range of ways they can change you.
Friendships provide peace. The growing pains of my adolescence faded to nothing upon meeting my friends from
high school. The comfort they provide can be compared to nothing other than the sun on your face in the bitter winter cold—a warmth like no other.
Friendships challenge you. The incredible friends I’ve met in my four years at Madison have shaped me in ways I cannot describe. They’ve planted a self-assurance in me so deeply rooted that it cannot be unearthed. I’ve found a family of remarkable people who tug at different facets of who I am and bring them to the surface.
If nothing else is true, friendships are relentless.
My oldest friend, Paige, is a prime example. I have known Paige since preschool, at an age where playground antics and friendly smiles lead to instant bonds. Twenty years later, Paige’s smile still welcomes me home and reminds me of it when I’m far away. With every version of myself I’ve shed and rebuilt, she has chosen to love me, simply because she wants to. And I do the same for her.
The people I have met and now consider my dear friends have shown me that if there is a ritual I will enact, a gospel I would swear on, it’s friendship. People are bound to disagree, disappoint one another and fail to show up. It is in the nature of friendship to withstand those tribulations simply because you want to keep those friends around.
Dedicating each and every day to my friends is the easiest task I’ve ever had. Because of the peaceful, impassioned and enduring friendships I’ve cultivated, I’ll never know a day without love.
To the friends I have and the ones I cannot wait to meet: you are my religion. You are who I store my faith in, who carry me in times of trouble and who lit the flame of hope I have for the world and have kept it burning. I devote my life to you entirely and fully, for the love between friends is the greatest love story I’ll ever know.
"Because of the peaceful, impassioned ane enduring friendships I've cultivated, I'll never know a day without love."
Written by Marceya Polinger-Hyman, Staff Writer |
Graphic by Kira Lee, Creative Team
Do you yearn to capture the elusive magic of love? Do you desire to be desired more than anything? Sometimes, the prospect of love feels hopeless, and the thought of finding your true twin flame seems like a phantom of a dying dream. But what if the way to reignite that dream was as simple as lighting a red candle?
The use of love spells dates back as far as 2200 BCE. They were commonly practiced in ancient civilizations like Rome, Greece and Egypt.1 During this time, love spells were performed exclusively by witches, shamans or magical specialists, and they were seen as being incredibly taboo and secretive rituals.
Today, love spells are used globally by people who desire to attract love into their lives. Although still somewhat taboo, modern love spells can be performed in the comfort of your own home. They can involve a variety of tools, such as candles, herbs, crystals and affirmations. While there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to perform a love spell, having clear intentions and a few basic parameters can aid in amplifying its energetic power.
To cast a basic love spell and enchant your potential lover, you’ll need a few key materials: a red or pink candle, rose petals, rose quartz and cinnamon sticks. Each item serves a specific purpose. Red candles are used to draw intense passion and desire, while pink candles are used to entice romance and affection. Rose petals symbolize love itself, enhancing the power of the spell by amplifying romantic energy, whereas rose quartz—known as the “stone of love”—helps open your own
1 Andrea Lawrence, “What are Love Spells, An Exploration of Their History and Anthropology,” Hubpages, May 31, 2022.
heart to receiving love as well as the heart of your ideal lover. Cinnamon sticks help conjure warmth and sweetness to the relationship.
To begin the spell, place your rose petals around the red candle. Arrange three cinnamon sticks in a triangular shape around the petals and candle. Light the candle and speak your desire into the flame while holding onto the rose quartz. Once finished, thank the universe and blow out the flame, releasing your desire to flow freely through the world in search of your lover.
Though this spell involves multiple steps, it’s considered a beginner’s ritual. The complexity of even a simple love spell raises the question: how many love spells are out there, and what exactly is their power? Are love spells a beautiful expression of love, or do they contain a pervasive lustful darkness with an appetite for control?
A love spell is a ritualistic activity involving incantations and symbolic objects to enhance, attract or manipulate romantic feelings between the spell caster and another individual. There are various types of love spells that are tailored to different desires.
Attraction spells draw love, passion or a specific person into your life. Binding spells create a deep, lasting connection between two people, metaphorically “tethering” two people together. When love seems lost, reconciliation spells are meant to mend broken relationships or bring back an ex-lover.
Then there are obsession spells—seductive yet dangerously forbidden. These are considered the most insidious form of love spells, designed to
disarm and possess another person’s mind. However, once enchanted, the target becomes deeply fixated on the spell caster, often to the point of obsession and self-destruction.
So, is a love spell really a curse drenched in love?
Love spells do have the potential to cause a person harm. Some spiritual traditions believe that interfering with love is unnatural and can bring bad karma. However, others argue that the spell’s intentions are what truly matter. Bad karma follows only those who wish harm upon others or wish to go against someone’s free will. Ideally, a love spell should only be used to enhance pre-existing emotions, never as a means of manipulation or control.
This begs the question: why would anyone consider manipulating love through such energetic means? Why do we feel compelled to control someone’s free will just to satisfy our own desire to be loved? Society has curated a beautifully tragic starvation to possess the elusive completeness of being loved.
This phenomenon is so deeply embedded in society that people have turned to performing love spells since ancient times, proving that our innate desire for love transcends history.
But is this hunger to be loved making society sick, or are we lovesick because we feel unloved? Perhaps the anecdote is as simple as conjuring the universe to fulfill our deepest desires. Or maybe this very obsession with love is the true curse.
In the end, the choice is yours. So…how far would you go for love?
Written by Kate Dietz, Staff Writer |
Graphic by Natalie Khmelevsky, Creative Team
In the midst of a recent freakout, my roommate, Lauren, offered me an analogy for taking life day by day. She said,
“Every day is a small puzzle piece and you’re working towards the bigger picture just by creating the little pieces. You’re not worried about how they will all fit together, or what the puzzle will look like in the end, because all you have to do is make the pieces.” I’ve ruminated on this analogy because I’ve always grappled with loving my current place—not just geographically but also in the timeline of my life.
I, like many others, have always chased the next best thing. In high school, I dreamed of starting fresh in college—moving into my dorm room, forming new friendships and finally being in a place where I thought happiness was inherent. When I started college, contentment bloomed with my new friends and new environment. I went to bed most nights with a warm, glowy feeling that everything was falling into place.
However, by November of freshman year, I was blindsided by a feeling of impending doom. My preconceived notions that everything would be better in college quickly dissolved. Overwhelmed by assignments and seemingly endless hoops to jump through, I wondered how I could ever find contentment without something specific to look forward to.
The newness of my situation had worn off, and anxiety burrowed deeper into my stomach every day. Why wasn’t I happy here? How could I possibly measure up to my brilliant peers? How would I get an internship? What was coming next? How would I possibly find a career I loved post-grad? I was left feeling disappointed. How could I have spent the past three years dreaming about college, only for it to be a massively stressful experience that left me feeling unfulfilled and completely lost?
I spent the majority of the past year and a half letting these feelings of discontent and uncertainty seize my mentality. I did not love my school. I did not love living in my dorm room. I did not love the dining hall food. And I especially didn’t love the stage of life that I was in. It was increasingly difficult for me to embrace the inevitable uncertainties of being on the brink of a vast unknown, like staring down an unread chapter of a book I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish.
Countless times, I investigated transfer admissions to other universities. Maybe if I was somewhere warmer, or somewhere further from home or somewhere with a better program, I would feel better. I was chasing an external solution to a deeply internal problem for far too long.
My discontentment all boiled down to one thing—I needed to learn to love my location. Being present never came naturally to me, but I recently came to the difficult truth that I’ve been complicit in my own dissatisfaction. The quest to reclaim my agency and fall in love with my place in the timeline of my life falls entirely on my shoulders.
Looking forward to the future has always been a crutch. Instead of falling in love with the life I have now, I always deferred my happiness to the next best event. Constantly chasing my interactions with other people, events, vacations or the next life stage is never going to be fulfilling. It’s the classic metaphor of the dangling carrot—you’re never going to catch it. Just because things will be different in an alternate location on the plane of time, doesn’t mean they’ll be better.
As I returned from the recent winter recess, many thoughts about how to achieve this love for my life stage circulated. I delved into ways I could become an explorer of the city
"...it's important to remember that there is no rush to falling in love with life, as long as you're committing to building the pieces."
where I will spend two more formative years. A cultured Madison resident should know the best restaurants, coffee shops, parks and hidden study spots, so I set a goal to try at least five of each by the end of the semester.
Then I went inward. What are your twenties for if not to find some new hobby? I recruited one of my roommates to help me learn to throw pottery. I started reading a new book. I picked up a knitting project that I started, seriously, eight years ago. I made a conscious decision to start going on walks, even in the bitter-cold of Madison’s Januarys. I made a list of the outings I wanted to have with my current friends. I reached out to new friends. I made the decision to immerse myself into my campus involvements, which is part of why I’m writing this article.
In fewer words, my path to loving my location is to buy in. Instead of being a passive observer of my college years, I decided I needed to become an active participant in it.
While I aimed to achieve all of these aspirations from the jump, I was quickly reminded that it’s an ongoing journey to find commitment to loving your life. I faced a few big obstacles early in the semester—a stomach bug that took down my entire apartment, the passing of my childhood dog and the sheer stress of a college schedule.
As deeply as I want to look back at this time and have something to “show” for it, it’s important to remember that there is no rush to falling in love with life, as long as you’re committing to building the pieces.
It’s a challenge to find contentment and meet yourself where you’re at. To find that warm, glowy loving feeling without external validation takes work. It takes a commitment to the present and appreciation for the puzzle pieces you’re building every day, not because you know what the end picture looks like, but because you know you’re assembling a beautiful puzzle of life to look back on.
Written by Sophie Corsaro, Staff Writer
As a queer woman and a self-proclaimed cinephile, I have watched more than a few queer films. As much as I loved many of these films, it always struck me how methodical queer films are in comparison to the “straight” film space.
Most queer films focus on two cookie-cutter stories: one person’s coming out journey or one singular couple’s romantic experience. While these stories do represent important moments in a queer person’s journey and life, they miss out on one of the most fundamental aspects of what it means to be a part of the queer community: queer friendships.
As almost any queer person can attest, discovering your identity and figuring out how it fits into your life can be extremely scary and often isolating. Even though I grew up in an accepting household in a generally progressive place, opening up to my friends and family about my identity was terrifying. I was afraid they would view me as a different person.
I was lucky in the fact that after I came out to some of my closest friends, a few of them were also queer and navigating their own journeys of self-discovery. These friendships, along with the larger queer community I found after moving to college, transformed how I saw my identity as well as deepened the connections I had with those who faced similar experiences, struggles and feelings.
Platonic relationships play a crucial role in the queer experience, making it es-
sential to represent them in the media. Showcasing the importance of having relationships with others who understand your identity—outside of a romantic partner—is essential and helps illustrate the depth and complexity of relationships in the queer community.
This representation also challenges stereotypes about the queer community, making it clear that queer people can have healthy platonic relationships with people who understand them and find support all while being authentically themselves
Although more representation is still necessary, recently, there has been an increase in films that bring dynamic queer friendships to the forefront of their stories.
“Tangerine,” a 2015 film, details a day in the lives of two transgender sex workers living in Los Angeles. The pair of best friends support each other through the many trials and tribulations they encounter, including cheating boyfriends, singing recitals and even acts of violence.
Although their friendship is complex, as many are, these characters are there for each other when they need it most. This film also gives representation to the trans community in a way that is quite rare.
Many movies about trans women revolve around a man affirming their identity, an idea that can be dangerous, especially for young trans women. “Tangerine” sheds this narrative and allows us to appreciate the friendship
and hilarious situations these women find themselves in instead.
Another film that portrays queer friendship, but in a more abstract way, is the 2024 film, “I Saw the TV Glow.” This film centers around two high schoolers who see themselves as outsiders in their small hometown struggling with their gender and sexual orientations.
The two protagonists bond over their love for a TV show, which is revealed throughout the film to symbolize their identities and who they want to be. This film, though complex, gives viewers a thought-provoking example of how queer individuals can find solace in one another through shared interests and experiences.
The 2023 film, “Bottoms,” is another brilliant portrayal of queer friendship that is campy, hilarious and meaningful. This film tells the story of two lesbians who form a fight club at their high school to pick up girls.
While romance is one aspect of this film, the central focus never strays from the central dynamic friendship. Not only is “Bottoms” funny, it also shows two lesbians who are unwavering in their identities.
Even in the face of ostracization in school, mostly shown to mock common stereotypes, they are confident in who they are. The film beautifully shows how multidimensional queer people and friendships can be.
Also, the characters never show romantic interest in one another. Even though they are both lesbians, their status as platonic friends challenges false assumptions that individuals who technically could be attracted to each other can never have a strictly platonic relationship.
Community and friendship are, and always have been, a central part of the queer community, yet they are often overlooked in film and the media in general.
Highlighting these friendships reveals to viewers the value of finding a support system that relates to you, while also showcasing the multidimensionality of queer individuals. As queer cinema continues to grow, I cannot wait to see this incredible community and the beautifully complex friendships represented on screen.
Written by Adelaide Taylor, Staff Writer
It’s almost instinctive to roll your eyes when a grandparent launches into the cliche “back in my day…” lecture before delivering the annoying one-liner: “it’s because of that damn phone.” But with studies showing that Gen-Z is dating less than ever, it begs the question—could they be right? Is it because of that damn phone?
With dating apps like Tinder and Hinge on the rise, along with Snapchat’s radical impact on relationships, the dating scene has revolutionized in the last 20 years. One study from Stanford University found that in 2022, 50.5% of new couples met online.1 Just about two decades earlier, it would have been zero.
This seismic shift in the dating landscape undoubtedly presents both opportunities and challenges for forming authentic, lasting relationships.
In many ways, online dating—specifically dating apps—eliminates all the downsides that make dating nerve-wracking and inaccessible. These apps are able to expand the dating pool, filter out those who are taken, eliminate some of the risk of rejection and, with it, the nerves that come with making the first move.
A study conducted by Pew Research found that 54% of the public believes that relationships where people first meet on a dating app are just as successful as those that began face-toface.2 The mere fact that people have created long-lasting love stories from dating apps is a powerful testament to their success.
What’s not to love, right? However, online dating apps may be affecting us in negative ways we’re only just beginning to understand.
1 “Love and Algorithms: The Future of Dating Apps,” American Psychological Association, Feb. 14, 2024.
2 Monica Anderson, “The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating,” Pew Research Center, Feb. 6, 2020.
Beyond the obvious, “you never know who you’re talking to online” argument, online dating introduces a new host of issues for younger generations. While swiping right on someone feels harmless and secure, it also brings about a sense of emotional detachment.3
Ironically, those nervous butterflies are actually what let us know we have a connection, and without us even realizing it, eliminating all sense of nerves is desensitizing us to love and real intimacy.4
While swiping right on dating apps may make it easier to find someone, they can hinder building a genuine connection. As stated by Dr. Leisel Sharabi, “the best thing to know about online dating is that not everyone is looking for a committed, long-term relationship.”5
Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But where the issue lies is that many individuals join dating apps to find a committed partner and end up disillusioned or distracted from their original goal.6
With the abundance of options available and the lack of interpersonal connection, dating apps can make relationships feel disposable. “With dating apps, I think that there is this attitude sometimes that it’s about finding the perfect person as opposed to building a strong relationship with someone despite their flaws,” Sharabi said.7
As a result, meaningful, long-lasting relationships are on the decline. One study discussed by Dr. Sharabi found that marriages that began on dating apps report lower satisfaction and higher divorce rates, underscoring
3 Sara Lighthall, “Swipe left, swipe right. Are dating apps ruining your relationships?,” Zendesk, March 25, 2022.
4 Lauren Taylor, “I feel so nervous on dates - how can I be myself?,” Independent, Oct. 1 2024.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
the impact of digital interactions on relationship longevity.8
Face-to-face interactions are essential for human brain development, as they help us maintain crucial social skills like reading body language and understanding verbal communication cues.9 Knowing this, as people get used to flirting through a screen, their social skills take huge hits.10
Online dating perpetuates a vicious cycle by gradually diminishing social interactions and encouraging users to become increasingly comfortable with intimacy behind a screen rather than in person.
Snapchat’s fast-paced and fleeting nature can also make it extremely difficult to form connections, but Snapchat can be most harmful in already-established relationships. Its premise of disappearing messages and location tracking services are a recipe for disaster and distrust, and it easily facilitates infidelity and raises suspicions amongst couples.11
Online dating continuously poses complexities for our generation, and I hate to say it, but our grandparents might be onto something with their judgment.
Is it possible that with time, relationships will adapt to working better in the digital world? Or is it more likely that the pendulum will swing back to in-person interactions as more and more people become disillusioned by digital dating?
Hopefully one day we’ll be reminiscing to our grandkids about the past chaos of swiping right and left, once we’ve finally struck a healthy balance between technology and the need for true human connection.
8 Ibid.
9 Riitta Hari, “Centrality of Social Interaction in Human Brain Function,” Neuron, Oct. 7, 2015.
10 “The Psychological Effects of Online Dating for Young Adults,” Embark Behavioral Health, 2021.
11 Ibid.
Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar spotlights non-romantic relationships
Written by Cate Tarr, Arts Editor
Graphic by Breanna Dunworth, Graphic and Illustration Lead
Most movies I watch tend to revolve around a common central theme: romance. Whether it’s a subplot in an action movie or the driving force of a full-blown rom-com, romantic love is an undeniable staple in most Hollywood films.
Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, however, does it differently. He makes films that center around love and relationships beyond just romantic ones. From his most recent film, “The Room Next Door,” which follows a female friendship, to his older hits including “All About My Mother,” “Juliet” and “High Heels,” which showcase mother-child relationships, Almodóvar reshapes how cinema portrays various forms of love on screen, doing so boldly.
Almodóvar is known for spotlighting relationships between women specifically. Raised by his mother, his sisters and his neighbors, Almodóvar attributes his early observations of women in his family as the inspiration behind his films.
“Women are stronger than us. They face more directly the problems that confront them, and for that reason they are much more spectacular to talk about,” Almodóvar said in an interview.1
His unique admiration and understanding of women strongly resonates with viewers, as he conveys a sensitive and personal portrayal of them on screen.
In his 1999 film “All About My Mother,” Almodóvar explores motherhood in a nuanced way. The story begins tragically with the death of Manuela’s son who dies in a car accident. She then ventures from Madrid to Barcelona to find her son’s father, who is a transgender woman that her son has never met. Breaking apart the complex emotions of grief and the all-encompassing love of a mother, “All About My Mother” is a daring portrayal of the depths of maternal care.
Similarly, “High Heels” (1991) and “Juliet” (2016) depict two mother-daughter duos in darker contexts. “High Heels” follows a mother and a daughter after both are under suspicion for murdering the daughter’s husband, while “Juliet” examines a mother grappling with the tragic disappearance of her daughter. While both contain grim subjects, each film tackles themes of loss, human complexity and love through the lens of motherhood.
Almodóvar’s most recent film, “The Room Next Door” (2024), shifts away from motherhood to explore an intense female friendship. Reuniting for the first time since college, one friend, diagnosed with stage-four cancer, asks her old friend to help her through death. Sifting through heavy concepts like death, acceptance, friendship and love, the film is a beautiful reflection of the deep bond between women.
Almodóvar tells his stories with a strong sense of purpose, employing bold colors, striking aesthetics and inspiring characters whose relationships come across as sharp and whole-hearted.
1They Shoot Pictures “Pedro Almodóvar,” 2025.
Regarding his aesthetic, he has said “I don’t want to imitate life in movies; I want to represent it. And in that representation, you use the colors you feel, and sometimes they are fake colors. But always it’s to show one emotion.”2 Almodóvar prioritizes humanity and emotion in his movies to tell an authentic story.
Media often overemphasizes romantic love, portraying it primarily as a drama filled endeavor, making it unusual to see healthy romantic relationships in film, causing many individuals to glorify red flags in relationships for the sake of drama.
Humans are emotional beings, and society often funnels these emotions into an obsessive tunnel of romance. Beyond film, I can’t remember the last song I listened to that wasn’t about the emotions of a breakup or the elation of a crush. It’s uncommon to find even a novel that opts out of any romantic storylines.
Over saturation of romantic love in the media leaves little room for the spotlight to illuminate other important types of love. Rarely does the media give enough attention to the formative and loving relationships of friendship or family members.
It’s crucial for Hollywood to tell more stories about the extensive places, people and ways love is found in everyday life, thereby validating and amplifying these real-world relationships.
Almodóvar’s films are an inspiration within the industry, fearlessly tackling profoundly human themes without tying a hallmark bow of romance on top to satisfy the status quo. Almodóvar dares to talk about what is real and raw: love without romance.
2 The Barber of Seville, March 2022.
From high school sweethearts to gut-wrenching heartbreak, the media constantly depicts love as a chaotic rush of highs and lows. Through contemporary television, film, books and music, the media often paints a picture of love as a complex, messy emotion centered around turbulent moments of joy and loss. However, when examining the common term through a different lens, love is arguably rather simple. This is not to say that love cannot be a deep, profound emotion, but love doesn’t always have to be confined to complex and convoluted forms.
The first entry for love in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as a “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.”1 This interpretation leads people to imagine movie-like romances or a platonic bond so powerful it dominates one’s thoughts and actions. But, the second (and often overlooked) entry defines love as a “warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion.”2
Beyond unrealistic expectations of happily ever after lies the beauty of a more subtle, everyday love—the endearment we feel in ordinary moments for our family, friends, passions and even ourselves.
In terms of familial love, the media has a history of depicting this type of love in extremes—either grandiose or completely nonexistent. Popular films and novels often introduce characters against the backdrop of family drama, whether manifested in an exuberant, nurturing family or in traumatic, stress-inducing memories.
Yet, despite the vast differences in family dynamics, it’s often our simple everyday interactions with loved ones that provide the most genuine and meaningful expressions of love.
1 Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “love” 2025. 2 Ibid.
Love is cherishing an early breakfast with your mom, laughing to the point of tears with your brother or watching a comfort movie with your dog nuzzled into your side. Love is running errands on a Saturday morning with your sisters, silently holding hands with your best friend in the hospital waiting room or taking a walk with your grandparents through the well-worn walking paths of the local park. Although the media does not always highlight these moments, there is a deep, meaningful love concealed within quiet, mundane activities with loved ones.
True love is also evident in our interests and hobbies. Stemming from the Latin root passio, the word “passion” originates from a Christian reference to the sufferings of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion.3
This etymology of passion demonstrates the suffering and enduring quality associated with people’s personal interests and devotions—a quality frequently amplified in modern media. Consequently, Hollywood often displays love for hobbies as intense, all-encompassing passions.
For instance, the 2010 film “Black Swan” delves into the disturbing psychological state of a ballerina starring in Swan Lake as she pushes herself to the limits of perfection in pursuit of her passion for ballet. While she ultimately achieves her goal, her success comes at a detrimental cost to her mental and physical well-being.
Love for a hobby does not need to be all-consuming to be considered worthy of your time and dedication. Feeling at peace while scrapbooking, embracing a connection with nature while hiking or enjoying a casual soccer match with friends can all be forms of love and passion.
While the media often portrays devotion otherwise, true love for a hobby
3 Online Etymology Dictionary, “passion” 2025.
doesn’t require sacrificing other aspects of your life. Simply finding quiet pleasure in an activity that fulfills your spare moments is more than enough.
As seen through the rise in popularity of self-love and solo dates on social media, people are also beginning to acknowledge the importance of loving ourselves through our accomplishments, challenges, intellect, creativity and beauty.
Finding joy within our simplest daily actions, such as complimenting a stranger in the hallway or earning a good grade on an assignment, helps us reflect on the defining character of our minds and hearts as we learn to love ourselves for who we truly are.
Above all, love is found in life’s little moments. While Hollywood tends to focus on grandiose gestures of love— running to stop your true love from boarding the plane or traveling halfway across the world to tell your best friend you love them—love is rooted in the little pockets of life that may seem simple or unremarkable.
Lying on your childhood bed, feeling the sun’s warmth on a summer day or catching a sheepish smile from your crush across the room. These small, intimate moments may go unnoticed by most, but they carry a profound weight, revealing love in its purest form.
Regardless of what’s shown in the media, love is a universal experience of little moments woven into friendships, familial relationships, hobbies and daily encounters with the world’s beauty.
The definition of love extends far beyond all-encompassing devotions and life-changing passions and can be applied to countless moments of joy in life. Creating a beautiful mosaic of moments that make life worth living day after day is my personal definition of love.
Written by Elise Daczko, Staff Writer
Graphic by Heidi Falk, Creative Team
Written by Mi Chuinda Levy, Lifestyle Editor
Graphic by Elise Daczko, Creative Team
"A meal has the potential to bring people together, enrich traditions and show genuine care for one another."
Growing up, I spent many mornings in the kitchen with my papa. Together, we would prepare the most delectable breakfast bagels and bowls of chocolate chip coconut oatmeal. At the time, I felt this was merely a rite of passage—him teaching me how to be independent. But in reality, it was a ritual of love.
After he passed, I understood more deeply how food can hold memories, deepen connections and express love when words may fall short. Now, when I make oatmeal the way he taught more or cook an egg in the microwave for a quick breakfast sandwich, I think of him and the loving bond we shared.
Food has historically transcended social, cultural and linguistic barriers. It is the universal language, and nestled within it is love. A meal has the potential to bring people together, enrich traditions and show genuine care for one another. Cooking and sharing a meal goes beyond nourishing the body—it nourishes the soul with warmth, adoration and connection.
For many, food—whether it is cooking or eating—is deeply associated with two of the five love languages: quality time and acts of service. When cooking for others, we engage in an activity that requires skill, effort and time to create something special, something intentional.
Similarly, sharing a meal together allows time for us to slow down and savor both the food and each other’s presence. Events like potlucks or group dinners are not just about eating—they are about exchanging stories and reminiscing, all while creating new memories that will last long after the last bite.
"...food represents a love that is tangible and transcendent."
Food can serve as a bridge to relationships that extend beyond family and friends. Whether it’s contributing to a charity bake sale, making sandwiches for those in need or offering a warm meal to someone on a cold day, sharing food is an act of extending love, even to strangers. Food offers an opportunity to share an intentional moment with someone, acknowledging and valuing their presence in the world without needing to intimately know them.
On the flip side, food can be used to appreciate and care for the person you know best—yourself. The act of cooking for oneself is often overlooked, yet it is one of the simplest forms of self-love.
In American society, worth is often equated to productivity, leading us to potentially neglect the importance of selfcare. But cooking for yourself can be incredibly fulfilling. It allows you to take the time to prepare a meal just for you, exactly how you intend it to be.
For me, baking or cooking for myself is a reminder that I can be my own source of happiness, that I can nourish myself from the outside in. The kitchen is one of my happy places. It is where I find peace even in the most frustrating times.
No matter what you choose to create or enjoy, food represents a love that is tangible and transcendent. A plate of food may be gone in minutes, but the recipe, care and intention behind it can last for generations.
Food allows us to nurture what we cherish—whether it be family, friends, strangers or ourselves. From home-cooked meals shared around a dinner table to meals enjoyed in peaceful solitude, there is a recipe for every kind of love—a love that nourishes the body, heart and soul.
Photography by Paige Valley & Molly Claus, Photography Leads |
Modeled by Avery Krieghoff, Anna Passos, Molly Ford, Colt, Eleanor Bennet, Ben Martin, & Lucia Ricker
Discovering the many ways to show yourself love is one of the bravest things you can do
Written by James Fox, Staff Writer |
Photography by Rayyan Bhatti, Creative Director | Modeled by Alisha Sabih
It’s easy to love yourself when your life is going well—when you feel happy or even on top of the world.
But what happens when it feels like you’ve lost everything? When you’re at your lowest and unable to recognize your life anymore? In those moments, we often look to others for love and support—family or friends—and understandably so. But what if we looked inward?
The love we have for our individual self might be the most important thing we have to hold onto. When it feels like we have lost everything, this love can be the guiding force that helps us move forward.
But what does it truly mean to love yourself?
When I first heard the idea of selflove a couple of years ago, I thought, “well of course I love myself—what a silly concept.” But after genuinely considering the question, I now see that self-love is more about how we treat ourselves. The answers don’t have to be all encompassing, but can equate to even the smallest acts—like how we speak to ourselves or how we choose to spend our time—that demonstrate love for who we are.
When we feel drowned in the deepest, darkest hole of our life, shifting our thinking inward becomes a crucial step. This introspection is about changing your mindset from thinking, “My parents are going to save me, my siblings are going to save me, my partner is going to save me,” to “I need to save myself.”
While self-love and self-help can be extremely difficult to do, they are also things we are all fully capable of—no matter how impossible it may seem in the moment.
Self-love begins by giving yourself grace. This means taking a step back and taking a deep breath. It’s acknowledging all you’ve been through, then going easy on yourself. Simply existing in this world is hard—seriously. And we often forget to remind ourselves of that. We all need to show ourselves grace more often. This is something I am still learning and practicing every day.
Here’s an example: I am a 22-year-old senior at one of the best universities in the U.S., and I have no idea of what kind of career I want to pursue. Many of my peers have jobs lined up, while I have just been focused on earning my degree.
Instead of picking my anxieties apart and comparing myself to others, I’ve chosen to give myself grace. I’ve realized that survival itself is an act of bravery. It takes courage to still be on
this earth, to face everything we’ve been through, and I mean that with every ounce of blood pumping through my heart.
Maybe you, too, feel like you have no idea what you are doing—spoiler alert—it’s okay to give yourself a little grace.
I struggle tremendously with comparison. It is often described as the thief of joy, and for good reason. It’s a slippery slope that can quickly lead to selfdoubt and negativity.
I believe the person we should be comparing ourselves to more often is, well, ourselves. This can be as simple as asking, “How am I getting better?” or “How am I growing and improving?” Maybe I’m not improving at all. Maybe I’m just struggling and trying to figure out how to stay afloat—and that’s okay, too. This first step of self-realization is
invaluable to the practice of self-love. There are many ways to give yourself grace and to show yourself love. I’ve found that one of the best ways to explore self-love is through creating, because creativity and love go hand-in-hand.
One way that I create is through music, which I find to be one of the most fundamentally human artistic forms of expression we have. Creating music doesn’t have to be actually making music. It can be discovering a new artist, singing, curating a new playlist or even rediscovering old music and connecting with your younger self again.
Another important way to create love can be through food. Over the past couple months, I have been focusing on creating healthier eating habits and trying new foods that have helped promote self-positivity.
For those just beginning like myself, I have found that creating a stable routine with a couple of staple meals can be a beneficial way to ease into cooking. Experimenting with food by creating new recipes and different meals that use whole, real ingredients is a fun way to promote physical and mental health and nourish yourself with love!
I’ve also found that creating physical movement is a powerful way to show yourself love. Activities like walking, weightlifting, running, yoga, stretching and dancing are just a few examples of fantastic ways to create endorphins and produce happy chemicals. I have incorporated movement into my routine and feel it has become a new therapeutic space for me. Movement is all about promoting yourself, and giving yourself the energy and love that you deserve.
Another way to express more love to yourself is by creating your own sense of style through clothing. Clothing can be a beautiful way to express the things that can’t be said with words. It’s not about fitting into trends or wearing something we think others will like, but instead is about wearing what makes you feel good about yourself.
Clothing doesn’t need to define who you are, rather, the process of curating outfits and experimenting with new styles can become a fulfilling form of expression—it is a way to treat yourself, so have fun with it!
Reading books or watching films can help us find new perspectives to fur-
ther our self-love journeys. Sometimes these mediums can help us feel understood or at least feel a sense of relatability. Their narratives range from inspiring us to providing simple entertainment, but consuming either can be beneficial expressions of self-love.
Finally, creating reflection, introspection or words of affirmation can be a very healing way to love yourself. Journaling and creative writing are two beautiful and effective ways we can first understand, and then start to heal our trauma.
Sometimes the most helpful thing to do is simply sitting with one’s thoughts and processing them. Give yourself the grace to experience what you’re feel-
ing to your core. Allow yourself the time you need to sit transparently with your thoughts and emotions. Use your imagination and create the love that you need, however that may look.
Remember, there’s only one you—and that’s something truly special. The first step of self-love is self-awareness of your feelings and thought patterns. Following the direction of self-love can mean asking questions like, “What can I do to change my circumstances?” or even “What are things I can do to help myself?” This act of self-love is one of the bravest you can take.
Perhaps it’s this initial act of self-love that creates the foundation for other relationships in our lives to flourish.
Finding connection and joy in the everyday moments in Madison
Written by Josie Purisch, Staff Writer |
by Maya Stegner, Creative Team |
Shoot Direction by
Angela Zhang, Creative Team
We have all met that person who doesn’t believe in love. You might even be that person. You picture the oversized teddy bears and helium heart balloons and think that love is cheesy, meaningless and entirely unrealistic. In truth, these in-your-face acts of love—the cornerstone to the best romance movies, and a commercial trope for the biggest companies are unrealistic. But they are loud and exciting and thus have become the poster child for what we think of when we hear the word love.
While these acts of love may exist, they ridiculously overrepresent all the affection that is truly exchanged, leading us to overlook the understated and unintentional love that exists all around us.
To prove my point that love is anything but rare, I set out on a day of people-watching in Madison. This day was not special by any definition—the streets flooded with students during passing periods and drained at the middle of the hour, the e-scooter riders just barely managed to dodge the pedestrians and the weather reminded us of Punxsutawney Phil’s prophecy for a long winter.
The only thing that differed was that I kept my head up and eyes keen, opening myself up to observe the little acts of affection that seemed to follow me around.
To be honest, this article was hard to write. Not because my hypothesis failed me and my observations of love were minuscule, but rather because I was conflicted about what bits of affection I should include. The knowing glances and giggles between friends, the reassuring nods given to the nervous presenter or the compliments that united unknowing passerbyers?
All this to say that these examples are non-exhaustive, and just give you a taste of the love that can occupy our daily lives if we dare to look out for it.
While I was out in the field conducting my research (walking to class), my eye, as it so often is, was immediately drawn to the subtle yet intriguing fashion choices among friends. I couldn’t help but notice the little, niche trends that exist within the bounds of a friend group— the shared phone case brand, identical water bottles or a particular accessory that decorates their outfits.
These small acts of mimicry, intentional or not, reveal a deeper level of connection. They reflect a quiet investment in one another, a non-verbal and undeniable hint of admiration and belonging within a group.
And while I don’t mean to get meta on you, I noticed so many people doing exactly what I was doing: people-watching. It was as if everyone was engaging in this collective act of observing, and I realized there’s something deeply human in this. People-watching is an act of love, in its own way.
Paying attention to the parts of the world that, in other cases, go unnoticed, letting ourselves be captivated by the normal lives of others and finding the personality that, with our heads down, would be lost entirely. Without taking the time to observe, the vibrancy of the world around us would remain hidden, lost in the shuffle of everyday life.
Look around you—love does not just exist in huge romantic gestures and bouquets of roses bigger than my head. It also lives in the laughter of a joke that is only funny between childhood best friends. It is woven into the assumption that a wardrobe is to be shared between sisters, and it finds intimacy in the eye contact between strangers that lingers just a beat too long.
Once you open your eyes to the affection that permeates our day-to-day lives, it will be impossible to ignore that as extraordinary as love is, it truly is oh-so ordinary.
Written by Kaitlyn Ard, Staff Writer |
Photography by Alexander Wilcox, Creative Team | Shoot Direction
by
Kaitlyn Ard, Creative Team
|
Modeled by Asa Linn & Rhys McVonn-Henkelmann
Have you ever noticed the limitations of the word “love” in the English language? We use this one, all-encompassing word to express our feelings toward our friends, family and romantic partners—yet the type of love we feel in each of these relationships is vastly different, each fulfilling a unique need.
While we may have this problem in English, other languages around the world do not. Suddenly, the seemingly universal language of love is not as universal as we think.
In many cultures, love is defined through a variety of words, each capturing different nuances. Not only does the language we use to describe love differ, but so do the cultural norms surrounding when and how we express it.
According to an article from the Pimsleur blog, “The ancient Greeks had four words for love: eros, agape, philia and storge.”1 If we break that down, “philia” is the word used to express the love we share with our friends or the love we may share for certain things or activities.
The word “storge” refers to the love and fondness shared between family members, or perhaps even the love for a pet. The word “agape” refers to a sort of out-of-body spiritual and unconditional type of love. And lastly, “eros” is the word used to describe romantic love. This makes sense, as the Greek god of love is named Eros, and the Roman counterpart, Cupid.2
Even with just four words rather than one, the Greeks can better appropriately communicate their love for a variety of relationships.3
1 E. Taylor, “Words for Love Around the World— The Linguistics of Love,” The Pimsleur Language Blog, Feb. 5, 2020.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
In other languages, such as Hindi, the equivalent of “eros” is “kama,” which you may recognize from the Kamasutra, the “ancient Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfillment.”4 In Arabic, a word for love— “ishq”—is thought to be the feeling that inspired creation.5 Sanskrit has 96 words for love, ancient Persian has 80, and in Sri Lanka, the language Tamil has over 40 different words describing different types of love, such as unreciprocated love or delusional love.6 Although this may seem excessive to English speakers, having more words for the variations of love could offer a much more in-depth and useful way to clearly express and describe our feelings.
In Spanish-speaking countries, one common phrase used to express love is “te quiero,” which is a more casual and friendly way to say “I love you,” and it is not uncommon to be said between friends. “Te amo,” however, is mostly reserved for romantic love, and “te deseo” is used to tell someone you want or desire them.7
If you’re trying to express your love for certain things like food or movies, you would use “me encanta.”8 These variations in Spanish allow speakers to express different degrees of love, whether it be toward friends, family or things and objects.
Considering the plethora of words to describe love in other languages, it’s not hard to understand the way we express love in America is sometimes confusing for other cultures.
For example, the frequent verbalizing of love in American culture can be viewed as “shallow and frivolous” in
4 Babbel.com, & GmbH, L. N. “Does “Love” Mean The Same Thing In Every Language?” Babbel Magazine.
5 Ibid.
6
Chinese culture, where actions are valued more than words.9 In Japanese culture, “ai shiteru” is generally reserved for someone you are seriously committed to, and expressions of formal love are rare. More commonly expressed in Japanese culture is the phrase “daisuki da yo” which is how you can tell someone that you really like them.10
These variations highlight the importance of understanding cultural norms and values when learning a new language. Phrases that feel natural in English can carry different cultural connotations when translated into another language.
I first heard this quote from Nelson Mandela in elementary school, and it stuck with me: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
This quote ignited my passion and love for studying languages, leading me to dedicate part of my education to learning Spanish, French, Italian, ASL, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Greek. Studying languages has allowed me to connect with people in a way that would have been impossible otherwise.
Language is a powerful tool that bridges gaps and establishes understanding across cultures. To truly connect with someone, it is essential to not only speak in their native tongue but also in a way that resonates with their heart. The love and appreciation that follows transcends words and conjugations.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid.
