Yes, I Will Fall in Love With You If You Send Me a Meme
A TikTok notification comes through to my phone. It's a video from my partner that sums up our relationship in words neither of us would have thought of. My heart swells. I spot an Instagram comment my friend has tagged me in, above is a hilarious video of a viral meme that we'll forever find relatable because of our unhinged friendship. And in my messages, another meme message from my partner (yes we talk over multiple platforms, we're firmly Gen Z aligned) with three special words: "This is you," followed by some obligatory laughing face emojis. I love being micro-manced.
These small gestures (apparently known as "micro-mancing") are enough for me. Enough to tide me over and keep my love life alive with my boyfriend. Enough to keep memories of hilarious nights out and wacky inside jokes with my mates at the forefront of my mind. While check-ins and date nights are always appreciated, sometimes it's the little things in my relationships and friendships that really make my heart go. And I'm not alone.
In their recent Bumble's 2025 Dating Trends report, dating app Bumble found that small gestures have become popular among Gen Z daters like myself, with these subtle acts holding much more significance than you'd think. So, as the title says, I have no fear in admitting that if you send me a relatable meme, I will fall in love with you.
Coining the term micro-mance, Bumble's survey revealed that nearly half (49%) of Gen Z singles in the UK are increasingly using micro-flirting — like sending a meme, reel or playlist — to show affection. On top of that, three in five (60%) Gen Z singles in the UK enjoy creating inside jokes with their partners, while more than half (54%) take pleasure in establishing shared rituals, such as morning coffee walks or joint workouts.
Knowing that I'm firmly placed within these percentages as someone who finds mirco-mance slightly more alluring than the cliched bunch of flowers or box of chocolates (although Marley, if you're reading, I'll never say no to a rose bouquet), I asked Dr Caroline West, Bumble's sex and relationship expert, for more clarity on why us Gen Z daters are ditching big gestures and replacing them with smaller, more significant ones.
"Understanding the impact of romantic gestures is key, especially in the early stages of dating when love languages and attachment styles aren't always clear. Sometimes, it's the smaller, everyday acts — like making someone a cup of tea or sending a meme — that can sometimes feel the most genuine and thoughtful," Dr West explains. "These simple moments of care can speak volumes, quietly saying, 'I'm thinking of you' or 'I'm really listening.' It's about showing consistent, meaningful attention. In fact, half of Gen Z singles in the UK hope to show more softness and kindness in their dating approach, emphasising the growing desire for deeper, more heartfelt connections."
The tilt towards smaller gestures doesn't mean love is done for good, in fact, it means the opposite. Over half of British women are self proclaimed romantics and admit that they love love, no matter how it presents itself. And online, "The quickest way to my heart is" is one of Bumble's top prompts globally, highlighting micro-mance is already alive and well on dating apps.
Dr West adds that while we're constantly surrounded by love stories, from the likes of Tom Holland and Zendaya, or beloved fictional pairs like Emma and Dex from Netflix's One Day, these narratives inspire us to chase unique and special moments of romance, whether it's your classic meet-cute or a heartfelt gesture.
"Recently, there's been a noticeable shift toward cherishing the smaller, more meaningful moments. This could be a reflection of people craving positivity in a challenging world, where everyday relationships hold deeper meaning," she tells PS UK. "Research from Bumble found nearly three in five Gen Z singles find reliability and consistency in actions to be highly attractive in a partner, showing how much they value the small, thoughtful gestures that build trust and connection. This can be anything from small notes to wishing someone a good day or picking them up a snack they love in the weekly shop."
In conclusion, Dr West solidifies my own opinion on micro-mance and why it's so important to me and my relationships. "It's about small acts that showcase your romance," she says and it couldn't be more apparent in modern day relationships, where remembering your friend's Pret order or creating a playlist on Spotify for your partner can really make your day.
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