Face masks and social distancing have made the phrase “love is in the air” less applicable than ever for those seeking new romantic relationships.
While more traditional ways of falling in love have changed because of the coronavirus pandemic, students have found romance despite a dating life drastically different from one year ago.
Environmental studies junior Maritza Ortiz-Urrutia wasn’t looking for a romantic relationship when she reconnected with an acquaintance she initially met in 2018 on Instagram.
Urrutia said she was opposed to new connections because she had recently gotten out of a relationship and wanted to focus on personal growth.
Daily messages between the two eventually bloomed into a relationship, but the threat of COVID-19 made seeing each other in person more complicated.
“He invited me to go out but I was feeling really hesitant about going out because of COVID, so I initially said no,” Urrutia said. “But then eventually I caved in and then we hung out in person.”
Urrutia said face-to-face dates are easier because she and her partner both live alone.
On the other hand, those who can’t see their partners in person might struggle more than those able to see their significant others face to face.
Dr. Ayelet Hirshfeld, a San José clinical psychologist, said the lack of in-person interaction could undermine the stability a relationship adds to a person’s life.
“I would imagine not being able to see a partner due to lockdowns during this time will create a significant sense of anxiety,” Hirshfeld said. “This craving for some stability, sense of security and connectedness, it will definitely have an adverse effect.”
She also said people who started relationships during the pandemic probably did so because reaching out through a screen is easier without the possibility of in-person rejection.
“There is less fear of rejection because [of] the distance it allows,” Hirshfeld said. “You have less inhibition, less fear of rejection or being able to take words back.”
She said the pandemic might encourage people to begin romantic relationships because of a heightened sense of urgency from unknown outcomes of living through a pandemic.
“Some people can feel more motivated to review their lives or make different decisions in respect to [love] or reevaluate what's important to them,” Hirshfeld said.
Radio, TV and Film sophomore Jack Torres realized life was too short not to reveal his true feelings for a friend he’s been close with since his first year of college.
“I feel like this was one of the chances I didn't want to miss,” Torres said.
While the pandemic was a threat, Torres said it was important for him to share his feelings for his partner.
He initially called his partner and told her he had something too important to tell her in a phone call and wanted to meet in person.
His feelings were reciprocated and the two became a couple.
Torres’ relationship helped him cope with losing loved ones to COVID-19 and helped him escape the monotony of pandemic life.
“I think it's kind of brought me back to reality,” Torres said. “It makes it easier to find new things to do with a partner instead of doing the same thing over and over again every day.”
Urrutia said her new relationship helped her manage stress created by the pandemic.
“Before I was very worried about the world and too fixated on what's going on every second,” Urrutia said. “I feel like it's kind of branched off and not been so bad because of the support system.”
Falling in love can be difficult for some and with the pandemic’s added strain it might seem like finding love is on hold.
Torres said the pandemic shouldn’t stop people from creating romantic relationships even if it feels impossible right now.
“With this whole thing going on I feel like nobody should be afraid [to] try to find someone to love,” Torres said. “I don't think it's really difficult, I just feel like with this pandemic it's like a barrier.”
Urrutia and Torres are only two of the students who’ve found love during an unimaginable period, attesting to the idea that love can even conquer a pandemic.
