One of the first things you have to know to understand how dating — or really courtship rituals, since not everyone calls it dating—＿＿（31）＿＿ over time is that the age of marriage has increased dramatically over time. People used to marry in their early 20s, which meant that most dating that was done, or most courting that was done, was done with the intention of settling down right away. And that’s not the life ＿＿（32）＿＿ anymore. The age of first marriage is now in the late twenties, and more people in their 30s and even 40s are deciding not to settle down. The rise of phone apps and online dating websites ＿＿（33）＿＿ to more potential partners than they could meet at work or in the neighborhood. It makes it easier for someone who is looking for something very specific in a partner to find ＿＿（34）＿＿. It also helps the people who use the apps by allowing them to enjoy a pattern of regular hookups ＿＿（35）＿＿ relationships. I think these things are definitely characteristic of modern romance.