'How It Started... How It's Going,' Explained - The New York Times

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If you’ve been on the internet recently, you’ve probably seen close to hundreds of “how it started ... how it ended” posts, but what do they mean?

Let me break the meme down for you →

On Sept. 23, a Twitter user named Mel tweeted a photo of the first direct message she received from her flame juxtaposed with a selfie of them embracing.

Mel captioned the photos “how it started” and “how it ended” to show the trajectory of her relationship which started, er, somewhat antagonistically (as seen on the previous slide).

The basic concept is to show the passage of time through oppositional bookends. The more surprising the second photo, the better. And it doesn’t necessarily need to make sense ...

Many have used the format to say something about their relationships (how they started, how long they have been going).

The rapper Quavo, for example, posted a screenshot of his first interaction with the rapper Saweetie, his now girlfriend.

Politicians have participated.

And so have voters.

Obviously, brands are in on it too. Netflix posted its take on the meme using a photo of Robert De Niro, looking younger, with another photo of an aged Mr. De Niro as seen in the movie “The Irishman.” (I’m waiting for the Joe Pesci version next.)

But the best versions of this meme are about remembering journeys — and implying how much work or time it took to get from point A to point B.

(Tip: As long as you show us a happy pup, you’re doing it right.)

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