Okay, don’t get me wrong. I love Netflix, and am addicted to it just like every other college-aged person. Streaming services like Netflix, HBO GO and Amazon Prime have made entertainment effortless and available, and have definitely changed the game when it comes to film and television. It is great to be able to turn on Apple TV or your laptop, and have thousands and thousands of movies at your fingertips.

I remember the days when everyone watched movies on VHS tapes, and how frustrating it would be to have to rewind the film back to the very beginning to re-watch it. I remember the agony of trying to watch a scratched DVD that would skip and pause constantly. I remember desperately searching through shelves of DVDs trying to find the movie I wanted, and the rage that would come when it was finally found, only for the box to be empty. To be honest, I don’t miss any of that

What I do miss, however, is the video store. There was a Hollywood Video just around the corner from my house, and every Friday night, my Mom, Dad and I would trek down to the video store to pick out a movie for the weekend. My parents would go straight to the comedies while I would venture over to the kids’ section. I would pick out a title, maybe two if I was lucky. And once in a blue moon I would get to pick a candy bar from all the sweets near the register. Afterwards, we would normally get take-out of some kind, and head home. It was paradise.

I think about stores like Hollywood Video and Blockbuster more than I would care to admit. Everytime I pass the old Hollywood Video building (which is now an auto-parts store), I will automatically say ,“Ugh, I miss the video store!” to anyone who is in the car with me. It might seem strange that I still fantasize about a store that has been erased from the country for several years, but I don’t think I’m alone.

In today’s society we value convenience over everything else. We don’t want to leave our homes for anything. We have food delivered, with delivery apps like Postmates and Doordash flourishing. We don’t need to leave the house for any entertainment, from movies and TV to books. Even grocery stores are starting home-delivery services so that you can order your gallon of milk and carton of eggs without getting off the couch.

But, is this type of convenience really that beneficial? I personally don’t think it is. The beauty of going to the video store wasn’t about the movies themselves, it was about the experience. It was about spending time with my family, and going somewhere where I knew I would be happy and have fun after a long week. It was about being with people I loved, and enjoying something that people of all ages love: movies.

Even though this family outing won’t come back, it’s important to value the outings we still partake in. Even small things like going to the mall or going out to eat can be a great time to spend time with people you love, and have fun being out in the world and away from the sanctity of our living rooms. It’s true that convenience can be great, but sometimes it’s the experience that will leave us feeling the happiest.