In 2017, I was on a break from dating. In the past, I approached dating just like anyone else in the 2000’s; through various soul-crushing dating apps. But it wasn’t always this way for me. I’m old enough and JUST young enough to have been through both portals of the dating world. The first being the natural kind where you meet, develop a crush and then start to date (sounds like the 1950’s). Versus the latest trend of dating which always seems to start with showing interest in each other over the internet, developing an extensive text-heavy relationship which inevitably will lead to one party “ghosting” the other when things start to get serious. (hashtag ghost emoji + broken heart.)

Even if the scenario isn’t as black & white as what’s outlined above, one thing is for certain: Most relationships today are built through texts. The relationship may be physical, but some of our most definitive and real moments happen through texting. It’s a great medium to be transparent and share feelings. Unfortunately, relationships seem inevitably temporary these days and you are left with a novel of real feelings between two people that, at one time, were the objects of each other’s affection. In the end, each of these novels share a commonality: they are stories filled with feelings that took off too fast.

YOU’RE THE KINDA GIRL WHO BELIEVES IN MAKING OUT ONCE. LOVE’EM & LEAVE’EM FAST. ~ PRINCE

“I’m so sorry. Again I’m not trying to get you to reconsider. I struggle with a lot. I’m only saying this because I guess I need you to know why. I don’t tell many guys that I’m involved with this, but my father killed himself a couple days after finding out I was gay. When I was fifteen he was manic depressive, bipolar and schizophrenic. I really struggle with connecting on a sexual level because I’m still not full accepting of myself for being gay. I wish I could get over this maybe things could’ve been different. With that being said, I hope you understand why a connection wasn’t there. Wish you the best and goodbye.”

Phantom Lovers isn’t about dead relationships, it’s about commemorating the real and defining moments between two people that at one time, were very much alive. Do you have text from an ex that hit you hard?

PHANTOM LOVERS PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE MODERN DAY ROMANCE NOVEL BY NOT LETTING THOSE STORIES DIE IN OLD PHONES. IT GIVES ONE PERSON THE ABILITY TO HIGHLIGHT A DEFINING MOMENT IN THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT MADE THEM FEEL SOMETHING REAL.