But then I moved to college and discovered that PDA was, in fact, a very real thing. I'm not saying that college culture is hooking up in the middle of campus in broad daylight, but there definitely is PDA to be spotted around campus on a daily basis; hand-holding, cuddling on wooden benches, and kisses are hard to miss.
I also came to the realization that PDA wasn't an ugly thing, which the media makes it out to be. Well, let me correct myself: not all PDA is an ugly thing. There's an obvious difference between giving someone a quick kiss on the lips before heading off to class and making out with your boyfriend as you straddle him on a bench outside your chemistry lab.
A tasteful public display of affection isn't a dirty thing to be frowned upon. By definition, affection is a gentle feeling of liking. PDA shouldn't be an aggressive slap in the face, forcing the people around you to be consumed by your relationship. Instead, it should be a simple, natural expression of the connection between two people.
My girl gang talks about this topic a lot: so many guys are anti-PDA. Some boyfriends even deny their girlfriends of the simplest of public displays of affection, further promoting the idea that PDA is some type of unsightly act that nobody should ever catch a glimpse of. Us ladies are so tired of this!
If it makes your girlfriend happy to hold hands while walking to class, just do it, man. If you know that a quick kiss will make your girl's day, why wouldn't you do it? Some girls do everything they can to bring a smile to their man's face, so it's nice if guys went out of their way to do the same, even if PDA may not be their favorite thing.
Some boyfriends won't kiss their girlfriends in front of the camera, either. They say, "The boys give me crap if they see me doing sappy stuff, like kissing you in front of the camera for a picture. And you could only imagine what they would say if one of us posted it on Instagram or something…".
But those guys should understand this: relationships are about sacrifices, so if it makes your girl happy to post a cute picture with her, you should just do it. I would hope that boyfriends prioritize the things that make their girlfriends happy before they even consider anything their friends might think. Plus, to be completely honest, I doubt that guys actually give their friends a hard time when it comes to this stuff.
So, the bottom line is: if you're a guy and you know that your girl loves to be mushy in public, try to find some strength inside yourself to give her what she wants. This doesn't mean you have to be overly affectionate with each other 24/7, wherever you go. But try to switch things up and do things her way at least some of the time, because two of the best gifts you can give in a relationship are happiness and compromise.
2019 Is The Year For Acknowledgement, Acceptance And Respect
It's 2019, people.
With 2018 coming to an end, it's time to think about how to make 2019 better. We are slowly but surely becoming a world where we're more accepting of people, no matter their background, who they love, or how they live their life. However, there are still plenty of instances where this is not the case. 2018 may have not been the best year for progress, but progress is progress, and 2019 is just one step closer.
2019 can be one more step in the progress of acknowledgment, acceptance, and respect by normalizing the way people live. This is the year to normalize...
1. Boys playing with "girl" toys and vice versa
It's time to accept that kids just want to play with whatever they want. Kids are just kids and they see something they like, just let them be! It shouldn't matter that little billy is playing with a doll or Susie wants a hot wheels car. They're just toys!
2. Not treating women like objects
2018 was huge for women and the #Metoo movement. This year, let's keep that up. Believe women's stories, and stop treating them like objects. High school girls shouldn't have to cover their shoulders, women are more than sexual objects, and it's time to treat them better. It's not about it being someone's mom, sister, daughter, or wife. It's about it being someone, and a person is not just an object for someone else to use.
3. Trans people using the restroom they identify with
Trans people are not using the bathroom to peak on anyone. They just need to pee! It's time to stop throwing a huge fit over someone using the bathroom that they feel comfortable with. Let trans people use the bathroom that they identify with, nothing else will come of it except bladder relief.
4. Not forcing physical affection on people
It shouldn't matter if it's a family member, friend, and close family friends, if someone doesn't want to give them a hug or a kiss, they shouldn't have to. It's time to stop forcing physical affection on people, especially kids. If they don't want to, don't force them to!
5. Mental health needs are real
2019 is the year to be there for those who suffer from mental illness. Mental health needs are very real. If you need a break from stress, take it. If you know someone is struggling, try to be there for them. If you see yourself going down a bad path, help yourself. Mental health problems aren't new and these generations aren't 'soft', it's just time to accept that they exist.
6. Men crying and non-toxic masculinity
It's not that hard to be a decent human being and show a more non-toxic side of masculinity. Although there's a huge stigma around it and men get laughed at for not living up to toxic masculinity instead, this is the year to encourage the nontoxic side much more. Oh, and let men cry! Everyone is allowed to show their feelings, even men.
7. Boys wearing makeup
Let boys be who they are. If a boy wants to wear makeup, who are you to stop them or judge them? It's time to accept that boys can look damn fine in makeup just as well as women.
8. People come from different countries and have different skin color
This is a major obvious one. Accept that people aren't always from the same country as you and aren't the same color as you. Everyone's lives are different, and that includes how people spend their days as a person of color. Although this shouldn't be on this list of things to "normalize" in 2019, it has to be. Accept people for who they are instead of judging them on it.
9. Different body types
Yes, everyone has a different body type too. It's time to accept that not everyone is a size zero, one, or two. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and it shouldn't take this long to respect that. Hopefully, this is the year to embrace this with more plus-size models as well.
10. Homosexual relationships in public
And lastly, it's 2019 folks! It's time to understand the fact that love is love, it's not a phase, and that homosexual relationships of any kind are just as valid as straight ones. With that being said, two men kissing or two women holding hands together shouldn't be looked down upon. It's about time that those in gay relationships are able to show their affection just like anybody else and not get commented on or bothered.
You're in charge of how you make 2019. Make it right!