It seems as though romance has gone out of style.

I was raised with a generation that is more obsessed with side chicks and secrecy than loyalty. Being unfaithful to a partner is seen as common now, as opposed to being seen as a shock. Trust is something that people only pretend to have. Real, requited love is rare now.

I hate that love has become something that is taken so lightly, when it shouldn't be. The word "love" gets thrown around all the time by people who have no actual idea of what it truly means. With everything that's going on now, that perfect fairytale ending seems so out of reach.

Am I naive to still believe in a fairytale ending? Of course, I understand a relationship is not going to be perfect all the time. However, I refuse to look at what's going on in today's society with relationships and accept it. When will this generation finally catch up with the others and take love seriously?

Many young people in this day and age seem to take relationships and romance in general as a joke. They have one person who they swear is their all, but behind closed doors, that same person is seeing multiple different people. I have recently encountered a situation like this. Let's refer to him as the "serial cheater." This serial cheater is in a relationship, but has created several fake profiles on a dating app in order to see other women, and his girlfriend has no idea.

Unfortunately, this is not as uncommon as one would hope. I realize other generations have not really experienced situations like this, because they didn't have social media, but that does not make it okay. I would be lying if I said I didn't think social media makes it easier for people to be unfaithful, but that does not mean it is a valid excuse.

As someone who is a serious romantic, it breaks my heart to think that some people have just accepted this lifestyle of being cheated on or treated poorly because they're comfortable with someone. Not only that, but also on the flip side, I hate that people think it is okay to be unfaithful. Everyone deserves the best. There is someone for everyone.

Even with all of the signs pointing me to believe that I will never find someone, I will always be hopeful. I don't want to get caught up in this culture of always wondering if I'm being cheated on or lied to. I'm ready for everyone to stop playing games and realize that love is a powerful thing. I know that I'm still young, but I would rather not waste my time on people who, in the end, have several other people on the side.