By: Sophie Johnson
July 27, 2021
LAWRENCE, Kansas- Last week marks the first period in which recent University of Kansas graduates, 22-year-old Cami Koons and 23-year-old Karsan Turner, can officially refer to each other as fiancées. A title that Koons had woefully questioned in the past. Like many couples who have entered the age of coronavirus together, the pair was often faced with pandemic related challenges in their long-term relationship.
The young couple started dating two years ago, only a year before the dawn of the COVID-19 mandated lockdowns in the United States.
Karsan Turner (left) and Cami Koons (right) about to walk down the hill at their KU graduation on May 18th, 2021. (Photo: Cami Koons)
Koons met Turner at KU’s on-campus student-run radio station, KJHK 90.7 FM. She was his supervisor in the arts and culture department of the organization, where the pair quickly began to fall in love. After going through a series of relationship trials together, such as dating long distanced, working together and living together, the couple felt as though quarantine would only bring them closer.
“Pre-lockdown we were both so busy that I was actually excited to be forced into spending more time together,” Koons said. “But I quickly realized that the pandemic was much more than extra quality time, our entire lives were flipped upside down in the span of two weeks”.
Although Koons and Turner have made it through COVID-19’s relationship trials and tribulations, when it comes to romance under COVID-19, even a well-matched couple may not be prepared to last. Due to the large amount of pandemic related consequences young adults have had to face, such as the loss of loved ones, jobs, and university closures, the maintenance of a relationship sometimes falls to the wayside.
For example, the pandemic has created notable negative effects on the mental health of young adults.
The KFF Health Tracking Poll stated that, “Throughout the pandemic, anxiety, depression, sleep disruptions, and thoughts of suicide have increased for many young adults”.
A graphic published on Feb. 10th, 2021 detailing adults reporting anxiety and/or depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The graphic shows that the age group most affected are young adults ages 18-24. (Source: KFF.org)
On top of mental health concerns, many young adults have been disillusioned by the idea of speeding into committed relationships.
Due to our recent decades more progressive viewpoint on marriage , young adults are not as dedicated to settling down as the generations before them. Although marriage used to denote a step into adulthood, the rise of focusing on self-development has pushed back the idea of early long-term commitment.
Contrarily, 24-year-old Natalie Kogan-White entered the pandemic single yet determined to find a mate.
“I had just spent the last five years focusing on me, my education, and growing my independence. I was finally emotionally ready to look for a partner when COVID-19 hit” she said.
Kogan-White shows that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to romantic needs under COVID-19. Her urge to continue her romantic journey can relate to many young adults who have felt that their explorative years have been interrupted.
“I was petrified of the idea of being stuck in my one-bedroom apartment alone for an undisclosed amount of time.” said Kogan-White. “I had never felt so lonely and unhappy being single, so I set out to [socially] distance date”.
Although meeting people online presents itself with its own challenges, the idea of meeting people for masked outdoor dates seemed to excite Kogan-White.
Natalie Kogan-White (right) pictured with her current partner (left) on Jan. 6, 2021 in New Mexico. The pair met after a series of socially distanced dates. (Photo: Natalie Kogan-White)
According to NPR’s Coronavirus FAQs column, “Meaningful emotional connections are still an essential part of everyday life — and we should keep the rewards and benefits of dating in mind, just as we do with buying food or seeking medical care”. Showing that, although risky, dating during the pandemic can be an act of self-care.
Just as Cami Koons and Karsan Turner persevered through their romantic challenges, Natalie Kogan-White powered through her longing for a romantic partner. Although an uphill battle, the pandemic has given young adults perspective in deciding what they want out of a relationship.
“Dating under COVID-19 was nothing close to the version of young love you see in the movies, we had to grow up together and quickly.” Turner said.
Sophie Johnson 