You've probably heard it been said at some point in the past couple of years. Whether it was from a friend or on social media, however you did, you probably know that as well as being "lazy millennials", this generation is also known for being a hook up generation. Now, I am not saying it's a bad thing. If that is what you're into and more comfortable doing, then by all means continue. Social media and the growth of online dating apps has made this so much more possible than it used to be. Meeting people isn't as difficult because you can literally get on your phone and swipe and find someone within a few minutes. You can follow someone on Instagram or Twitter or what have you, and message them and go from there if dating apps isn't you're thing. The possibilities are literally endless.

However, if you're anything like me, this just doesn't appeal to you. I've tried to whole "hook up" generation thing, but it just isn't for me. I am an emotional person, and I like to connect to people. I like stability and consistency. I like knowing that my feelings for someone is reciprocated and it isn't just a fleeting fling. Now, I partially blame movies and television shows for this - where finding your soul mate is as easy as bumping into them at a coffee shop or sitting next to them in your class. We all know this isn't the case though. There are almost 8 billion people in this world... eight billion. How do you know you're going to find your soul mate when there are so many people and so many places you haven't been, and that's where I think the hook up generation stems from. But, it just isn't for me. I am a helpless romantic, doesn't matter how many times I've been hurt or crushed, I just keep going back to it. I fall hard and quick and I give my all to someone even though they'll barely be giving me 10%.

Growing up, I heard my parents story on how they met over and over, always being told it was like a fairy tale meeting from anyone I ever met. People saying that it was meant to be, that they were supposed to find each other, and they were. I've never seen any two people love and support each other so unconditionally. They were my standards for what a relationship should be. I've seen them both grow from their marriage and learn from each other. They compromise and they talk to each other; they can read each other like the back of their hands and yet they still somehow surprise each other. They taught me what is acceptable in a relationship and how to work through issues rather than just throwing in the towel and giving up. Since I've been old enough to date, every person I've been interested in, I've always tried to give it that same amount of effort. But if there is one thing I have learned through this is that some people just don't deserve your effort, because it's just a game of who they can get until the next best thing comes along.

There are so many different reality t.v. shows about finding love and finding your soulmate. The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, SoulMates, Dating Naked, the list goes on and on. And it seems that everyone is wanting to find that connection, that love, but no one wants to give up and admit that they could actually love someone because what if this person isn't their soulmate. What if they're committing to someone when the next person they could swipe on Tinder is actually their soulmate? Everyone is willing to connect physically, but actually getting someone in today's society to open up emotionally and let down all their walls is like trying to blow out a raging fire - exhausting, painful and useless.

I understand the reasons why this is a hook up generation, and I really am not trying to put anyone down. You make your choices alone and if anyone judges you for it, then screw them they're not worth it. But when you're someone who just isn't into the lifestyle that mainly everyone else is into, it makes it hard to let people in and open up to people because you just learn to assume the worst. Yet, you keep trying and keep putting yourself out there in hopes that one day, someday, you will be heard and someone will feel the same and you'll hold onto that so tightly. If someone ever does find their partner, the one they know they should be with, do whatever you can to keep it regardless of what people say. Because finding that person; the one who will love you and support you unconditionally and vice versa, the one who will treat you with respect and dignity and would do anything in their power to make sure you are happy and loved - that's the person you need to hold onto and never let go. Because it's a rare thing in today's society, to grab it and run. Fight for it, because even though I haven't found it myself, I can almost guarantee it would be worth the fight.