Why ’70s Friendships Still Feel Like the Best Kind

Life in the ’70s had a certain magic that’s hard to describe unless you lived it. There were no smartphones, no endless notifications — just open skies, good music, and friends who actually showed up at your door instead of your inbox.

I still remember biking until the streetlights came on, hearing my mom call out, “Be home before it gets dark!” Those evenings were filled with laughter, scraped knees, and the kind of memories that stick for a lifetime.

People truly talked to each other back then — face-to-face, heart-to-heart. There was no “seen” or “typing…” bubble to hide behind. Friendships were slower, deeper, and somehow more real.

Back in the ’70s, our weekends meant drive-in movies, live music, or simply sitting on the porch sharing stories until midnight. Even the phones had personality — the click of the rotary dial, the thrill when someone actually called just to say hi.

Dating was different too. You needed courage to walk up to someone and strike up a conversation. Numbers were written on napkins, not swiped on screens.

And maybe that’s what made friendships stronger — time spent together felt intentional. You couldn’t just scroll through someone’s life; you had to be in it.

Sure, we have instant communication today, but sometimes, I miss the slow pace — the laughter without filters, the letters that took days to arrive, and the quiet joy of being fully present with the people who mattered most.

The world has changed, but the heart of true friendship hasn’t. Maybe the lesson from the ’70s is simple: less screen time, more real time.