While I was growing up, I heard about all the dates my mother and her sisters would go on while they were teenagers. They were adventurous and fun. New, exciting experiences that were memorable for them. I would sit there listening, and waiting for my turn to be old enough to date. Now I'm here, been in a couple serious relationships and there are very few times, until recently, I can say I've been dating.

With the way our generation approaches relationships now we decide to label ourselves as "talking." Our parents usually have no idea what that means because we don't call the other person our boyfriend or girlfriend, and we don't say we're dating, but that's what we use to say we're exclusively communicating with one another and are basically dating. Talking is this really stupid term that leaves all of our relationship statuses left in limbo. When did we as people decide to change something that should be new and exciting for everyone into the unknown which is scary and anxiety-ridden?

Why can't we just be straight up with what we're doing? If I'm going out with a boy and doing fun activities like hiking, or mini golfing or even just driving around we are dating. That doesn't mean he is my boyfriend but it means that he is taking me out on dates. When did our generation stop doing that? When did we stop dating and start thinking that when we get asked to "Netflix & Chill" that, that makes a sufficient date. That isn't the proper way to date; that doesn't necessarily send the message we want it to.

Dating doesn't have to be hard or expensive. If you like the person enough to want to spend time with them go enjoy the free stuff in life. Go outside and hike, stargaze or watch the sunset. Grab some coffee and just talk, look on Groupon but don't take away the excitement and nervousness that just dating someone can bring. Its a part of life, an awkward stage everyone has to go through.

The term talking is frustrating to our parents, confusing for us, and just as nerve-wracking for the person you're interested in dating. Why can't we just call it what it is? If we like someone and we want to be with them, why can't we tell them? We want to hang out and spend time with them and go on adventures, then we have to tell them. Take it from me, boys cannot read minds so it's our job to tell them what we want. Let's just stop using the term talking and call it like we see it.