It’s prom season which means it’s time to dress up, look stylish, and celebrate the end of the tireless academic school year. 

While the dance itself sounds fun, the lead up to prom should be just as fun. Promposals allow students to express their creativity and also display care for their partner or friend’s interests. 

I know what you’re thinking. That there’s no need for promposals when you can just text your special someone the special question.

Sure, maybe. But promposals set the tone of excitement for prom. The idea of creating a poster and asking in person will make the experience all the more special. Like the cherry on top of a perfect prom. 

So if you were to ask me, an Instagram DM is the worst way to ask someone to prom.

From waking up to breakup texts, to a “hey girly” with a suspicious amount of y’s, Instagram has become the new form of confrontation. Why ask your partner to prom in person when you can scroll to their contact and do it over text? 

I mean, back in the day, people put effort into asking their special someone. What happened to serenading the lover you’ve been yearning for in the rain with a boombox over your shoulder? You know, except for society realizing that is a huge safety hazard.

In all seriousness, I’ve been in high school for three years. And throughout each one, around this time of year, I’ve noticed fewer posters and flowers and more and more expectation and assumption. The assumption that you don’t have to ask, and the expectation that the person you would ask will say yes.

I would lie and say I don’t see anything wrong with prom-posing through third-party sources. It’s scary, putting your heart on the line, especially when it’s in front of your peers. Text messages are easily a lot less terrifying. Just type what’s on your mind and turn on “do not disturb.” You think everyone I’ve ever asked out has been face to face? I’ve definitely taken the easy way out from time to time.

But this is my article so I’m not gonna lie: Promposals are dying because we’re all victims of cringe culture. We as a society have become so afraid to embarrass ourselves in front of one another, that we’re willing to let the genuine gesture that are promposals die out.

Because yes, while promposals are fun and can be extravagant, they can also let whoever you’re asking feel known and loved. We preach the idea that to be loved is to be known and that relationships thrive on effort. That your loved ones should know your favorite color, flower, movie, your hobbies and your passions. Promposals are easily one of the most romantic and heartfelt ways to display that knowledge and even more so that effort. But here we are, letting them die.

Because we’ve become afraid to have hard conversations in person.

Like I said, I get the fear of being vulnerable. I get the anxiety of all of your effort potentially ending in heartbreak. But when it comes to promposing, a gesture meant to display affection towards and understanding of the person you’re asking, I don’t think a text of all things should suffice.