I am a pretty typical self-involved 20-something, obsessively focused on my career; I am starting to figure out how to establish a “legit” online presence (which is downright exhausting); and my hair takes a considerable amount of upkeep.

I am also in a relationship.

As such, I make decisions like deciding to work a 13-hour day on my boyfriend’s birthday this year. Fortunately for me, he completely understood. Regardless, I felt a bit guilty that I had altogether missed his special day and so I gifted him with a homemade coupon good for one Hollywood trilogy marathon of his choice. Much to my satisfaction, he chose the classic ’80s cult classic, “Back to the Future.” Score! My good relationship deed would be relatively painless. We’d just have a few laughs and I could feel better about my selfishness.

But great scott, it was so much more than that! Six hours of footage, a jug of fruit infused water, and some cuddly time later, I was feeling a connection with my significant other that I had not felt in a while. Had a “Back to the Future” marathon actually made a notable, positive impact on my relationship? After some careful consideration, I believe it did, and I have compiled a short list of reasons why I would recommend this exact remedy for any couple struggling with a disconnection.

1. “Back to the Future” honors the act of falling in love.

Doc invents the time machine, shit gets crazy with the Libyans, and Marty is suddenly back in 1955. Due to a few missteps, Marty (or Calvin Klein) must orchestrate his parents’ falling in love or risk eliminating his entire existence. It’s arguably the crux of the movie. And as we watched Loraine and George hold each other sweetly at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance, I was jolted back to the beginning of our relationship. Sure it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as George’s punching Biff in the face to save his lady; it was rather a text message that said “Hey it’s Kevin from work. Hope it’s okay that I’m texting you! ”

The act of falling in love is far more exciting and, frankly, easier than staying in love. If I had to guess, I’d say that’s why some people go through relationships like they do underwear. So once in a while, it’s important, nay, practically imperative to revisit why you fell in love in the first place, and honor that time before you started farting in front of each other and the romance died.

2. A “Back to the Future” marathon can be fun for just about anyone.

Like I said, I was relieved when my boyfriend decided to watch these movies as opposed to, say, the Bourne movies. Not that there’s anything wrong with the Bourne movies; it’s simply that they would have been a bit too much testosterone for one sitting. The “Back to the Future” movies on the other hand have a little something for everyone: there’s romance, comedy, drama, sci-fi and some shoot ‘em up in the final installment. Not to mention the fact that these movies were practically made to be watched back-to-back, making them the perfect choice for a couple’s marathon. We spanned our viewing over a weekend, ordered in some food, and enjoyed the opportunity to be in such close physical proximity. We even put our phones away. It was a great way to shut out the world and enjoy some inexpensive, entertaining together time.

Pro tip: To spice things up a bit, try taking a drink every time Doc says “great scott”…and just see where the night takes you.

3. “Back to the Future” is really a tale about soul mates.

Let’s be honest, Emmett Brown and Marty McFly are a fairly unusual couple. One might even question under what circumstances they became friends. But that’s the great thing about time travel: they’ve met so many times throughout history that it’s nearly­–if not absolutely–impossible to trace the origin of their relationship. They were simply meant to meet, and if you ask me, that’s what makes them soul mates. Fate dictates whom we’re supposed to meet and when we’re supposed to meet them. And each one of our soul mates brings a little gift from the universe­­–a lesson, an opportunity, a feeling. Would Doc have invented the time machine if Marty hadn’t shown up in 1955 and told him that he had invented it? Debatable. Would Marty have any friends if it weren’t for Doc? Probably not.

I’m not always entirely sure why the universe chose to bring my boyfriend and me together, but I am quite certain it was deliberate. We were simply meant to meet.

4. “Back to the Future” teaches an important lesson about, you guessed it, the future.

In Part III, Doc railroads his way back to 1985 in the Jules Verne train and leaves Marty and Jennifer with a very important message, “Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one, both of you.” I might have missed my boyfriend’s birthday for work. I might have a [exaggerated] need to [emphatically] talk about my feelings fairly frequently. I might have gifted him with this homemade coupon because I straight up forgot to schedule time to buy any other gift. Bottom line, I’m definitely not Super Girlfriend.

But if I learned anything from this marathon, it’s that it’s never too late for a relationship game-changer. And just because I was perhaps too selfish today, doesn’t mean that I can’t try again tomorrow. It’s important to reset, recharge, and push forward as a team. That’s exactly what this experience provided, and so I would recommend it to any stifled hearts out there. Our blast from the past “Back to the Future” marathon brought us right were we needed to be: the present. And tomorrow will be better for it.

 

Thank you weird Back to The Future dedicated wiki for the photo!