I’ve noticed that younger folks often poke fun at the way my generation (Boomers) approached new relationships, but there’s a part of me that suspects they’re only half joking.

They might call these traditions cheesy or outdated, but if you scratch beneath the surface, you’ll see glimpses of genuine interest and maybe a little envy, too.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through six things many Boomers did at the start of a relationship.

They might make Gen-Z cringe, but guess what?

Deep down, a lot of them wish these sweet gestures would make a comeback.

Let’s get right into it.

1. Handwritten love notes

The first thing that comes to mind is the good old-fashioned handwritten note.

In my day, we poured our thoughts onto physical paper—sometimes in the form of sweet little messages, other times with full-on love letters.

It wasn’t just about the words.

It was also about selecting nice stationery, sitting down quietly, and writing out your feelings with the pen and your heart guiding the flow.

Sure, it took effort.

And yes, your handwriting had to be legible (which wasn’t always easy for me).

But that’s what gave each note its charm.

Now, I realize a lot of Gen-Z folks might say, “Why write a note when I can shoot a text?”

And it’s true, texting is instant and convenient.

But the fact that it’s so quick can make it feel disposable, too.

A handwritten note is tangible.

It requires patience.

It has an old-world flair that says, “I took the time for you.”

I’m willing to bet that if more people today received a real love note, they’d treasure it more than they’d like to admit.

If you’re feeling curious, you could try a quick test: write a small note or letter and see how it’s received.

Chances are, it’ll stand out among the sea of text messages and Instagram DMs.

2. Formal introductions to the family

Another thing we did back then was the “meet the parents” ritual.

And I’m not talking months or years into dating.

In many communities, it happened pretty early on.

It was nerve-racking, I’ll give you that.

But it also added a sense of seriousness and respect to the budding relationship.

Today, there’s a tendency to shrug off the importance of meeting the family until you’re sure this is long-term material.

Sometimes, you might never meet them until the wedding day (if that even happens).

But despite the playful jabs (“OMG, that’s so extra” or “That must have been awkward”), there’s something refreshing about having a genuine conversation with the people who raised your potential partner.

It can break the ice, humanize your date, and give you a window into their background.

I’ve heard a few of my grandkids’ friends joke about how they’d “die of embarrassment” if they had to sit down for coffee with their partner’s parents on the second date.

But the look on their faces tells me they’re at least a little intrigued.

It’s a way to start serious connections off on the right foot.

And if you’re looking for a bit of depth in your relationships, maybe giving it a try could be quite the experience.

3. Making that call in person (not texting)

I’ve mentioned this before in a previous post, but picking up the phone for a real conversation was a huge deal when I was younger.

We didn’t have the option of sending a quick meme or an emoji-laden text.

It was either dial those numbers on a rotary phone (taking forever if there were a lot of 9s or 0s) or walk over to the person’s door.

These days, a lot of people roll their eyes at the idea of making an actual phone call.

“It’s so awkward,” they say.

But something magical happens when you hear the other person’s voice.

Their tone, the pauses, the warmth—that’s all lost in a text.

I’m not saying you should drop texting altogether.

But if you really want to make an impression, consider calling someone you’re interested in.

Just a short, genuine conversation can pack a punch that 100 texts can’t always deliver.

Phone calls are a great way to add that transparency right from the start.

Give it a try.

You might be pleasantly surprised by the connection you can build with just a few minutes of real-time talking.

4. Slow pacing with real courtship

Boomers often took their time getting to know someone.

We’d date, maybe see each other once a week, and talk in between.

We didn’t rush into labeling things, but we also didn’t shy away from letting someone know we were interested.

Think of it as a deliberate pace.

These days, there’s pressure to know within the first few dates whether the relationship is “real” or not.

I’ve seen my grandchildren’s peers either move super fast or bail after the second date if they’re not convinced.

But there’s a certain grace in taking it slow.

You allow attraction and friendship to intertwine.

You get to see the person in different contexts—family events, weekend outings, quiet dinners.

It’s a kind of gradual reveal that builds anticipation.

Yes, people today might joke that it’s old-fashioned.

But in many ways, slow courtship can help you avoid making snap judgments or diving into something too intense too soon.

When you give yourself time to observe and appreciate, you also respect the natural pace of getting to know another human being.

If that’s something you’re missing, you can incorporate it in small ways by spacing out your dates, having more meaningful chats, and not feeling pressured to label it all right away.

5. Dressing up and planning special dates

Another tradition was the idea of dressing up for a proper date and actually planning out the evening.

No sending a last-minute “What’s up?” text at 9 p.m.

We’d decide on a nice place (or maybe a local diner), put on our best outfit, and make the outing feel like an event.

Many young folks poke fun at the stiff dinner dates in old TV shows, but I suspect they’d secretly love the chance to go somewhere special and be treated with a bit of extra care.

I remember reading an older book that emphasized how dressing up and taking someone out for a well-planned evening added an element of excitement and respect.

The author’s argument was that the ritual of preparation showed both self-respect and respect for the person you’re dating.

I can’t say I disagree.

These days, a casual coffee or a quick meetup in sweatpants is perfectly fine.

But if you’re longing for a bit more spark, consider once in a while taking the time to plan something more unique.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant.

You could even do something simple like a sunset walk in the countryside or a picnic by the river.

Add a dash of intention, and you’ll see how it changes the vibe entirely.

6. Going dancing (yes, real slow dancing)

One more for the road, and it’s pretty darn important: dancing.

And I’m not talking about swaying side to side in a club that’s too loud for a conversation.

In my younger days, slow dancing was a common thing at gatherings or even in the privacy of someone’s living room.

We’d pick a song we liked—maybe an old favorite or something brand new—and dance in each other’s arms.

Yes, modern folks might laugh at the idea of shuffling around the living room to Etta James or The Beatles.

But the closeness you feel in that moment is something you can’t replicate by texting heart emojis.

There’s a vulnerability in slow dancing.

It’s the music, the gentle touch, the shared moment that’s just between the two of you.

So if you’re looking to add some old-school romance to your modern relationship, try putting on a track you both love and do a little slow dancing.

I’ll bet you’ll both find yourselves enjoying it more than you ever expected.

Conclusion

We’ve just run through six “old-fashioned” relationship starters that, on the surface, might make younger generations cringe.

But underneath all that joking, there’s a real appreciation for genuine connection.

I’m no know-it-all, but I’ve seen enough in my six-plus decades to notice that people crave authentic moments, especially in today’s fast-paced world.

If you’re curious to give these ideas a try, why not start small?

Pick one of these Boomer-style approaches and adapt it to your life right now.

See if it adds something meaningful to your relationship or your dating life.

And if it does?

Keep exploring.

Because sometimes, the “outdated” stuff ends up being exactly what we need.