Remember in elementary school when an anonymous note would end up in your desk or binder from a secret admirer? (Yeah, me neither.) But it did happen on rare occasion to someone, I’m sure. Cheesy poems or professions of “love” scribbled across college-ruled notebook paper and folded in fourths.
When I came to college, I expected the years of sappy note-passing had come to an end. But it turns out MU has its very own, very public version of love notes.
[Mizzou Secret Admirers](https://www.facebook.com/mizzouadmirers?hc_location=stream), which is coming up on its anniversary, began as a way for MU students to share their clandestine affections for friends and strangers alike. All you need to do is click the link, fill out the empty space and, if you’re lucky, a post will show up within a few days.
As a silly freshman girl, I loved Mizzou Secret Admirers when it first emerged last year. I would check constantly, tagging friends who were mentioned or trying to decipher whom the post was about based on physical appearances. It was all just a game, until the day I received a notification saying that I’d been tagged on Mizzou Secret Admirers.
I clicked on the red alert, and it guided me to the post. I was stunned.
“#1506 Ellise Verheyen — You have an amazing smile and a gorgeous eyes. You’re also a great person. Never change the way you are.”
Aside from the minor typo of an unnecessary “a,” I was flattered. No one had ever said something so sweet to me. I immediately responded saying how it had made my day and how grateful I was. But I began to overthink the whole thing.
Who could it be? Is it the guy I’m crushing on, the awkward boy down the hall or a stranger admiring from afar? I dedicated the next few days to researching who could’ve possibly posted this, but I eventually decided it was probably just a friend being funny.
It was a real confidence boost, for sure, but it really frustrated me. Why is this person so willing to admit they like me via social media but not tell me to my face?
As the fall of sophomore year rolled around, I yet again received the alert that I had been featured on Mizzou Secret Admirers.
“#2864 Ellise Verheyen. Yes.”
THAT’S IT? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Someone took the time to fill out a secret admirer thingamajig, and they chose to write “Yes”?
I didn’t know what to say. Should I be flattered? Maybe they aren’t great with words? Why could they not simply approach me and compliment me in person? Is “yes” a compliment?
I was so frustrated with this silly post. I responded with the first thing that came to mind: a simple “no.” I was praised for my wit and humor, but that “no” was serious.
In this day and age, social media has corrupted our way of communication. It has made people think they can surpass uncomfortable situations where they actually have to talk to people face-to-face. It’s unfortunate, but true.
Nothing came of the “yes” comment. But (un)fortunately for me, the admirer trend continued.
“#528 (1/29) Every time I see Ellise Verheyen I am blown away by how amazingly gorgeous she is. One would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful, smart, caring, and friendly person in this world.”
Disclosure: If this is the same person who wrote “Yes,” you have greatly improved.
This last post caught me off guard. You, anonymous human, have a way with words. I was stunned beyond words, but I ask you the same question: Why have you not come forward?
The people who write these posts are extremely brave, I’ll give them that. I’m way too much of a 5-year-old to ever profess my love for someone via the Internet, even if it’s anonymous.
That being said, why not take it one step further? Why not approach the subject of your infatuation and tell them? What do you have to lose? Sure, they might say thanks, but no thanks. But it could be the beginning to a great relationship.