A recent article that was posted on Odyssey caught my eye and here's my response to it. If you want to check out the original article, click here From The Girl That Still Prefers Flowers Over Chicken Nuggets and Netflix.

Why does dating as a millennial have to suck? I agree that love letters are better than texts and that handmade gifts are more special place than store bought ones, but let's get real here, we're not in the 1950s anymore.

Please don't act like girls who prefer chicken nuggets and Netflix over flowers are "lowering their standards," because guess what? I'm a girl who likes both. Flowers are super sweet and are great to get every once in a while, but you better believe that I binge watch Friends and Young & Hungry while my boyfriend plays XBOX, as we both munch on some McDonalds. That doesn't mean I have "low standards". It means that I am content with staying in and cuddling with my man while munching on junk food, but I am also content when he decides to take me out on a date or decides to buy me something that I enjoy because of an anniversary or other special occasion.

Also, you think a "man" is always going to be able to take a girl out a few times a month? Have you heard of bills and necessities? You say you don't always need expensive things, but from my perspective on your article, you seem pretty high maintenance to me. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but why does the fact that some girls prefer chicken nuggets and Netflix over flowers make you upset? And the fact that you're already telling your future husband that he WILL take you out a few times a month is a little demanding. I respect that you have an image in your head of what you want, but at the same time, I think you're the one setting yourself up for failure. I hope you find a "man" with a lot of money because do you know how much dinner and a movie costs these days? It's a lot more practical to Redbox a movie and order in some food than to go out to dinner and then go to a theater afterward for over $30. Now, I'm not saying that I never go to a movie and dinner, but I don't expect my boyfriend to take me to one a few times a month. We're both in college and it's just not practical. Also, that doesn't make him any less of a man. Sorry, girl.

I agree, I don't like the term "Netflix and chill" and dates are nice, but watching Netflix does NOT always mean it turns out to be "Netflix and chill." Plus from what I saw on your bio, you're just like the rest of us who like to watch Netflix, right? In fact, your bio even says that you not only watch Netflix every now and then but that you binge watch it.

I'll also have you know that one of the first dates I went on with my boyfriend as a couple was a picnic to a lake by his house. Yes, believe it or not, in 2016 my boyfriend took me on a nice picnic date. And now in 2017 he still goes on walks with me and does nice things for me all of the time. The "1950s dating life" isn't completely gone. You're super hung up on the fact that it is, but I want to tell you that it's not. At the same time, though, that was 67 years ago. Times have changed in the past 67 years (notice I used the right form of "past"). I don't understand why you're so cynical about today's dating world because when you find the right guy it's still a pretty great thing. And the right one might even do some 1950's type things for you. Crazy, isn't it? There was a time when I had the same thoughts as you, but then I realized how unrealistic I was being. I realized that when I started dating my boyfriend that his personality and who he is as a person is much more important to me than a bunch of fancy dates and him buying me flowers. As I always say, food is the true way to my heart. Whether it be expensive food from Olive Garden or cheap food from Taco Bell, I don't care. And honestly, I'm 100% okay with that. That doesn't mean my standards are lowered, it simply means that I don't date him for fancy dates and I don't make him prove that he's a "man" by taking me out a few times a month. If he wants to great, if not that's completely fine too. If he would rather buy me McDonald's than Texas Roadhouse, then, by all means, that's fine with me.

Also, I'm assuming you're the type of girl who thinks a man should pay for every date. And again, I hope you find a nice, wealthy "man" to do that for you. But here's the thing... I hope when you get into a relationship that you realize it's not always about going out and doing things. I hope you realize that it's okay for a girl to pay for a date. Not because she's trying to prove that she's an equal to her man, but because sometimes the guy doesn't always have the money to pay and if you really care about your significant other then it shouldn't matter who pays.

I really hope that you find someone who can fulfill your dreams and everything that you want in a "man." I hope you find that guy who takes you out a few times a month on these magical things called dates, because according to you, hardly any guy does. I hope you find someone who is willing to put up with you and the cost of the dates that you're expecting. I fully respect that you want a lot out of a relationship, but I don't necessarily agree with the fact that you want dates all of the time and that you think that it draws the line between a "man" and a "boy." Effort is attractive, but it doesn't have to be shown in the form of dates all of the time. It can be shown in the forehead kisses he gives you, the cuddles he gives you when you've had a bad day, the compliments he gives you when you don't feel the prettiest, or him playing with your hair. Effort is not defined by the amount of money your guy spends on you. I think effort is shown more when a guy actually takes the time to make you a home cooked meal rather than him taking you out to a busy restaurant. But that's just me.

I would also like to point out that just because some girls say that they want chicken nuggets on the couch and that they want to watch Netflix, does not lower the standards for those that want flowers and dinner. Each woman is different and more times than not, if you're with a guy and you really care about each other, he's going to do what you want rather than caring about the preferences of others. And by her wanting to watch Netflix does not always mean "Netflix and Chill". Girls and guys are allowed to have laid back dates and I'm sorry that you don't see that. Maybe that's all they can afford to do, so please think about that before you go around saying it's a bad thing. Honestly, laid back nights with my guy are my favorite kind.

So while you're out there finding your man to take you out a few times a month and you're waiting on him to buy you flowers, I'll be here lying on a couch next to the guy that I love, not only watching, but binge watching Netflix while eating chicken nuggets.