80s vs. Now — What dating was like BEFORE technology

Big thanks yous to my amazing family. Their help was instrumental to this ambitious production:

And thank you as always to everyone out there for your support. 🙏😁

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In this video, I take a heartfelt journey back to the 80s — a time when the world felt simpler, more tactile, and perhaps more connected? I reflect on how we interacted, dated, and ultimately found love, all before the digital era rewired the way we communicate.

This is a story of real, face-to-face moments, unannounced visits, mixtapes, and handwritten letters. It’s set against the backdrop of my own life-changing experience of meeting my wife — a moment that felt completely serendipitous yet profoundly synchronistic, as if the universe itself had a hand in bringing us together.

Through personal memories, I explore the contrasts between then and now, asking: Were we better off in a time when everything took just a little more effort? Join me as I share how love unfolded for me in the most unexpected way, and reflect on whether the slower, more intentional rhythms of the past held something special — a kind of magic — that’s worth remembering today.

#80sNostalgia #RetroLove #BeforeDigital #80sDating #SimplerTimes #HandwrittenLetters #MixtapeMagic #FaceToFaceConnection #LoveInThe80s #Serendipity #OldSchoolRomance #TactileMemories #AnalogEra #DatingBeforeApps #80sReflection #LoveUnfolded #UnexpectedConnections #LifeBeforeTech #IntentionalLiving #RomanceThroughTime #SlowLiving #80sVibes #HeartfeltJourney #RomanticMemories #TimelessLove

[BeneaththeSurfaceYT]

Thank you so much everyone for watching and for your lovely comments. If you feel someone you know might enjoy a blast from the past, please share this video. And as always, subscribe and like to help me with the algorithm. Thank you so much. 🙏❤️

[nathanieldrew]

Ok I see so this is how I came to exist... ;)

[MishaElRusito]

What I miss about dating from back in the days is that it was really romantic and sweet, and you wanted to get to know each other, make gifts, talk about everything. Today most of the time when two people meet it's about hooking up. Nobody cares about building a foundation anymore, they just wanna make a shortcut straight up to the "roof". It's really hard to have a connection with someone these days and find someone with good morals and values.

[carolannaitken]

I was in my 20s in the 1980s and it was on the happiest periods in my life. So much has changed in good and bad ways. Thanks for the lovely reminders of a decade I loved.

[seaofsolace]

You outdid yourself! A time capsule in 10 minutes. I was having a horrible day, and your video felt like a warm blanket of nostalgia. Sometimes, when I look back, I can’t believe how different the world used to be. It feels more like a dream I had than real life.

I feel like I’m turning into my dad with his stories about a time before television, with milkmen, and ice deliveries for the fridge. I *am* my father now.

I read somewhere that kids today will never truly understand what it means to wait for something. Like you said, I think it made things feel more special in some weird way. I think that this is what is missing now: all these in-between moments when we were waiting for something. It gave life more chances to surprise us. We were co-creating with life back then. Now, we are creating it on our own because life isn't fast enough for us.

I need to check if About Last Night is available for streaming—I haven’t seen it in more than 25 years! Thank you again for all the memories. My heart is full now. ❤

[DebiStoliar]

WHAT A LOVE STORY! Your re-enactment was spot on, I’m DYING 😂

[sincerely.tizian]

Im only 19 but I still remember the time where I just went to a friends house, rang the bell and asked if he could come play. Or just calling his home phone. I miss those times and Im kinda sad for the future generations that will never have this experience…

[chelseasummers]

I was a teenager in the 80’s and I would absolutely go back in time without any hesitation. Life was real, people were genuine and families did things together. Thank you for this video, it brought back so many warm memories.

[Skymography]

I love this video format! Feels like the most creative project on your channel so far. Also great to see some of an origin story that I didn’t even know… well done 👏👏

[SisterSherryDoingStuff]

Memory lane for me - the Thomas Guide!! My brother had the Farrah poster. We all made mixed tapes.

I'm glad you two were emotionally and mentally healthy enough to make it last.

[DinaMadi]

I love the way this mini movie warmly accompanies us through the dating scene of the 80s, a world without the internet, Google maps or iPhones. I often talk with my younger brother about this. And though it is hard to imagine living this way no (or is it?), we both miss that world which felt so much more real and grounded in presence. I am so happy for you that you and Cecilia found each other and are living so many fun and wonderful adventures❣

[MicheleDBorland]

Really happy for you guys. I never did meet mine & being single at 65 has its positives & negatives. I don’t get lonely, but having someone to do things with would be nice on occasion. It’s just about building friendships now and that’s fairly satisfying. Great video!!

[lw]

back then you had to compete with your immediate environment, now you have to compete with (a digital simulacrum of) the world

[jtrav]

What you are saying is so true. One thing I love because you still have to wait for it is travel. You rarely can plan a trip and go immediately, so that process allows you time to think, to mull, to savor the time before and even enjoy the anticipation of the trip.

[princessdaaahlingamor]

I do miss mixed tapes as a courtship gift, and long phonecalls where you end up with one hot ear 👂 lol

[elvira.dramsmeier]

This video threw me right back into the 80's. Incredible how you and your family did that. A lot of thanks to all of you, you are amazing !!!

[RJ-]

Beautiful. You were so lucky to meet each other so young and to follow that path together. I find the constant messaging rather than talking or meeting is so anti-connection. Even stranger is when someone leaves a voice message. Yes, lovely to hear their voice, but still no true communication. It's kind of sad. You're right though, each decade has had its own 'fors and againsts'. This was really well put together... please tell me you didn't just have that wig laying around... 🤣

[zeitgeist]

This hits home for me. I graduated in the 80s and traveled 6000 miles to find my spouse. 34 years later and I am so glad it worked out. All those 80s experienced I wouldn't trade away but I do really appreciate the modern technology of email, internet, GPS navigation etc.. If used right they help so much more than they hurt or distract. I think it is harder for younger people who grew up with modern tech and didn't have established interpersonal skills and communication early on.

[RamonaL]

Lovely! Obviously you two were meant for each other!

[bellaluce]

Wow! The depth, attention to detail, and care you bring to your videos is so impressive, Josh. Congratulations on a masterful piece of storytelling! 👏👏 I even teared up at the end. 😄 I love the way you illustrated the olden days ; - ) and that there are pros and cons to every era. In a way, by getting to know each other a bit over the phone first, you and Cecelia got the benefits many people have found through online dating sites that match people by values, interests, preferences, etc. Physical chemistry is important, but sometimes distracts people from other kinds of compatibility that help relationships last longterm. So glad you found each other! : - )❤