Getting to know someone used to take many forms: handwritten letters, phone conversations, in-person heart-to-hearts. Today, we text. We asked readers of the Modern Love column to share the early messages — the banter, emojis and wit — that made them fall for each other. — Kate LaRueThe texts below are from real threads that have been carefully excavated (screengrabbed) from the phones of readers. They’ve been lightly edited — and reanimated — for clarity and your enjoyment.

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Persons: Kate LaRue, They’ve