Getting to know someone took many forms: handwritten letters, phone conversations, personal heart-to-hearts. Today we text. We slide into DMs. Dating apps and social media have made it effortless to start a conversation. Still, it can be difficult to know what exactly to do participation. We asked readers of the Modern Love section to share the first messages – the banter, emojis and humor – that made them fall for each other. –Kate LaRue
The texts below are from real discussions carefully unearthed (screenshotted) from readers' phones. They have been lightly edited (and reanimated) for clarity and your enjoyment.