We've all been there. Or maybe not. Some of you were lucky enough to find the love of your life when you were 17 and just walking through the halls of your high school. But for those of you, like myself who are struggling through dating apps, and just doing our best, we all know about the dreaded first date.

For all of you single guys and gals out there, and don't you dare lie to me, we've all dabbled in the online dating world. I mean COME ON. It's 2016! How can any of us possibly be expected to meet someone in the "real world"? Tinder being one of the most popular. It's like the dating app equivalent to Facebook. If you don't have someone locked down, you've had it, and possible met the person you're dating on there. Hey, no shame.

But what comes of these dating apps? Other than hilarious horror stories and even reality tv shows like catfish. We sit there, trying not to look weird, hoping we dressed alright, texting our moms the description of the guy or girl we are meeting, where we met them at and what time, where we are going and if we should disappear to immediately call the police. Prior to the date, we talked to our friends (or your mom again) about a code word you will text them, to, of course, call with an emergency so you can make your speedy getaway.

There you are, sitting, waiting, fingers crossed that they look like their profile pictures and up walks this stranger asking if you are you. You smile, politely, *insert awkward hug* and proceed to your date, which lets be honest turns into driving around and trying to make conversation. Maybe.

This is when it gets tricky, Do you go out to eat? Okay you can do that, and barely touch the food you ordered at the restaurant you don't honestly enjoy but, you can't very well ask for chicken nuggets on a first date right? Or you could go to the movies. Which, of all the first dates have to be my least favorite. You're sitting to closely to someone you just met, not getting to say a word to each other. What if he tries to hold your hand or put your arm around you, what if the movie sucks? You can't very well pull up tinder and start swiping can you? What if you go to the bathroom and he ditches you? What if he goes to the bathroom and doesn't come back?

Assuming you end up in a car, taking laps around town (usually my fate) you make small talk, soon your arsenal of small talk, witty stories, and interesting facts are bled dry and the dreaded moment of silence comes: this is a pivotal moment. This is the moment you know if you share a real connection with someone. When you run out of things to talk about, yet the conversation has a rhythm, a beat, a flow. Or it stays deadly silent and you hold your breath praying to all things holy someone breaks it and its not hopelessly awkward for another hour and half. This is when you get to decide if you and this person will make it to date number two, or if you'll never see this human again in your life.

This is where it gets tricky. Relationships, connections, chemistry; it is all impossible to fake. Where, not matter how many common interests you have, or how attractive you find the person, if there's no spark, hey, there's no spark. Finding true companionship whether it be romantically, or simply a friend; meeting people you can be genuine with and honest with is a real gift. Those instantaneous connections will always and forever be one of my favorites. When you talk about a book, or a movie and someone else chimes in "OH MY GOSH I LOVE *insert common interest here* and you both get to geek out about how there is another person who shares one of your passions.

i guess, what I'm saying is, push on. The reward is worth the struggle of multiple bad first dates, awkward conversations, and nights you probably could have binge watched toddlers in tiaras while eating ramen noodles, rocking your biggest most comfortable sweat pants. The world needs more genuine connections, people realizing that everyone has passions and problems, insecurities and ideas. One of the things that I've learned, working in many many years of retail is, if you can find out what someone loves, you can pretty much make a best friend for life.

In all reality, that is what everyone is looking for, ways to make connections with other individuals. When it comes to dating apps like Tinder, we take the bare minimum and pass it off as communication. Though, I am well aware, we live in a time and society where life is almost completely dictated by by the world wide web and all of its wonders: don't be afraid to reach out to a person sitting across from you in class, that cute girl who gets coffee every morning the same day you do, or just any stranger you've been admiring because you like their style. Never be afraid to start over, or to swipe right.

The best advice I can give anyone, though I'm neither qualified or asked for advice often, is to be who you are, right from the beginning. Tell the dumb joke, laugh loud, and only at the things you find truly funny. No one is a cookie cutter version of a perfect person, and whoever you are meant to have that real connection with, wherever you find it, they are gonna think you're pretty neat.