Is Valentine’s Day still romantic… or has modern culture quietly fallen out of love?

In this episode of Mark and Pete, we take a sharp look at Valentine’s Day in 2026 and ask whether Western society is still capable of real romance. From overpriced roses and restaurant panic bookings to dating apps and “situationships,” love increasingly feels like a performance rather than a commitment.

But beneath the chocolate hearts and Instagram posts lies a deeper question: are people actually dating less?

We examine the growing body of research pointing to a modern “sex recession,” declining marriage rates, delayed relationships, and rising loneliness among young adults. Why are Gen Z and millennials reporting less dating experience, less sexual activity, and less long-term partnership than previous generations? Is technology to blame? Has dating app culture turned romance into online shopping? Or have we simply become afraid of commitment?

We explore how modern expectations—shaped by social media, pornography, and endless digital comparison—may be eroding trust between men and women. In a world of infinite options, no one feels chosen. In a culture obsessed with independence, fewer people feel secure enough to commit.

At the same time, the longing for love hasn’t disappeared. People still want to be known, valued, and chosen. So why does Valentine’s Day feel increasingly awkward, commercial, or hollow?

With Mark’s reflective poetry and Pete’s Christian perspective, this episode examines what the Bible says about covenant love, sacrifice, and commitment in contrast to today’s consumer-driven approach to romance. Is love just chemistry and feelings, or is it something deeper—something worth defending?

Topics include: Valentine’s Day, modern dating crisis, declining marriage rates, Gen Z relationships, loneliness epidemic, dating apps, commitment culture, Christian worldview on love, covenant marriage, cultural decline.