Saving old text messages from exes can sometimes be an asset when you need to remember exactly why you left them. Alternately, sometimes digital relics from old relationships serve as a good reminder of how much good we have in our lives currently.
At least, they did for the X user May Larsen, who posted screenshots of two text threads with two very different men in 2018.
The conversation on the left shows how an old conversation went down with an emotionally manipulative ex. While the other screenshot is a prime example of what communication in a healthy partnership looks like.
The emotional dynamics of this exchange are full of red flags.
This ex (boyfriend, hookup, whatever he was) went from 0-100 in no time. In fact, the ONLY way this kind of freak out would be excusable would be if they had prior plans she ditched on. Alternately, if he was doing a performance art bit where he embodied Drake’s “0-100 / The Catch Up” via text message. Outside of those possibilities, this type of reaction is nothing short of manipulation and emotional abuse.
The second text message showed how Larsen’s current partner responds to a simple night out:
The difference between these responses to a simple night out on the town is night and day. When comparing the two messages, the red flags really pop.
People on X had a LOT of thoughts about the texts.
A lot of people assumed the texts were from two guys she’s currently dating.
That quickly got shut down.
Meanwhile, others were caught up with the fact that her current dude wears a cowboy hat.
Regardless of whether the rest of us are pro cowboy hat (I’m pro if you can pull it off), it seems they’ve got a healthy situation going. Communication is key, in any kind of relationship.
Update: It looks like May and Cowboy Hat got married in 2020. We love a happy ending!
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This article originally appeared six years ago.
