When my peers lament about texting, I can’t help but tune out the complaints. They often argue that texts lack tone, are prone to misunderstanding, and are overly transactional. Ironically, it’s this very transactional nature that I find appealing.
For instance, when I need to ask another parent for a favor, I can simply send, “Can you do pick-up?” (or add a “please” for a total of five words). In the past, making a phone call meant wading through a lengthy, chatty conversation before getting to the point. While some enjoy that style, I much prefer the rapid-fire efficiency of texting. Recently, I’ve discovered yet another reason to love it: it keeps me connected with my college freshman who has recently flown the nest.
I have never been a fan of phone conversations. To me, they often devolve into long-winded soliloquies about trivial matters. Plus, my mind tends to wander, making it challenging to engage in a no-visual-cues discussion. There are often awkward silences while I’m preoccupied with cleaning the kitchen instead of offering sincere condolences, like, “I’m so sorry. She was a lovely woman.”
However, I do make an exception for phone calls from my distracted 18-year-old son. While I struggle to focus on his tales about calculus, all I can hear is the sound of his skateboard wheels clattering over the pavement. He often complains that I only catch about 30% of what he says, but truthfully, it’s more like 18%. Nevertheless, I cherish hearing his voice and laugh, even if I can’t always decipher his words.
What helps me cope with his absence are our text exchanges. Admittedly, many of them revolve around requests for money or transportation. He texts X, Y, and Z, and I respond with a firm no—just like the old days. Occasionally, he surprises me by ending a text with an emoji, specifically a heart. This gesture holds significant meaning. It’s been years since he expressed love in any form beyond a quick “uh-huh,” especially after he entered middle school and declared that public affection was off-limits.
I never expected much more than a thumbs up or a random emoji, but he goes for the big red heart. Accessing that emoji requires navigating a different keyboard, and it’s screenshot-worthy as proof of affection.
While the heart emoji isn’t a daily occurrence, our quick exchanges mirror the short conversations we used to have in the kitchen before school. They are brief and sweet, and that’s perfectly fine.
Our back-and-forths are raw and unrefined, which is part of their charm. There’s no pressure, no rehearsed lines, and no demands on time—something precious for a college student navigating newfound freedom and the challenges of Econ 101.
These simple interactions provide a comfort that phone calls just can’t match. Given my historical disdain for phone conversations and difficulty understanding my son’s ramblings, I worry that our chats might not happen regularly. He shares my aversion to anything other than texting. I’ve even offered him $5 to answer a phone call, but he’s not interested. He’s tried to bribe me to make calls on his behalf, and I gladly accepted. We’re both uncomfortable with phone communication, making texting our ideal mode.
While many criticize texting for its limitations, I appreciate what it adds to my life. If it allows me a small but steady connection with my son, who has finally ventured away from home, then I’ll embrace it wholeheartedly.
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Summary:
This article explores the advantages of texting, particularly for maintaining connections with a college freshman. Unlike traditional phone calls, texting offers a quick and efficient way to communicate, allowing for both practical requests and moments of emotional connection, such as the rare heart emoji. The author reflects on the challenges of verbal communication with a busy teenager and celebrates the simplicity and comfort that text exchanges provide.
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