As we look back at the whirlwind romance of Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, it's hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia for the young love that captured our attention in the summer of 2019. The pair's friendship, which had been evident for years, finally blossomed into a steamy romance that had fans and media outlets alike speculating about their every move.

Everything began five years ago, when Mendes and Cabello crossed paths while opening up for Austin Mahone on tour. At the time, Mendes was a rising star thanks to his success on Vine, while Cabello was still a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony. Despite their different paths to stardom, the duo hit it off and maintained a close and supportive friendship.

Over the years, Mendes and Cabello teased their interest in each other, with many "will they, won't they" moments keeping fans on the edge of their seats. During his appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden in 2015, Mendes confessed that he attempted to initiate romantic advances on Cabello, but was ultimately relegated to the friend zone by his close friend.Cabello quipped that Mendes always called her "kid," leaving Corden to suggest that there was no way they hadn't made out.

Despite the mockery, the pair persisted in working together on music, and in 2017 they put out the track "I Know What You Did Last Summer."Mendes even went so far as to call Cabello his "favorite person in the whole world" during an interview with Beats 1 the following year, prompting her to declare her love for him in return.

It wasn't until June 2019, however, that things between Mendes and Cabello officially heated up. The release of their sultry single "Señorita" coincided with Cabello's split from then-boyfriend Matthew Hussey, and soon the pair were inseparable, with fans spotting them everywhere from New York City to Miami.The confirmation of their romantic relationship was made the month after.

Despite their immense popularity and success in the music industry, Mendes and Cabello have been notoriously private about their relationship. In an interview with Elle in October 2019, Cabello explained that she and Mendes preferred to keep many details of their romance out of the public eye.

She expressed that individuals have the freedom to voice their opinions and make assumptions, however, they will continue to live their lives as they choose, relishing in their relationship without concern for outside scrutiny. Her desire is to maintain the privacy of their relationship and shield it from the involvement of others. This is why she refrains from discussing it openly, as she wishes to safeguard it.

Despite their best efforts, of course, Mendes and Cabello's romance was the subject of much speculation and scrutiny. Fans eagerly followed their every move, from their steamy music video for "Señorita" to their adorable PDA-filled outings in public. The duo even quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing glimpses of their life together on social media and further fueling rumors that they were in it for the long haul.

Sadly, however, the couple split in the summer of 2021, with sources citing their busy schedules and the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship as the reasons behind the breakup. While it's always sad to see young love come to an end, it's clear that Mendes and Cabello will always have a special place in each other's hearts. And who knows? Perhaps their paths will cross again in the future, and we'll get to witness another chapter in their love story.