Fairy tales tell that a girl once met a boy; they fell in love and lived happily ever after. The reality is not that simple. Long-term relationships force couples to get to know each other, become involved in each other's worlds, battle through difficult times, and ultimately develop deeper connections through distinctive stages of Knapp's relationship model. Even though I have been dating the same person for over two years, the phases of our communication make it seem like I am now dating a different person after the breakup and subsequent repair. However, even the most exhilarating of roller coaster rides develops through a combination of ups and downs, just like the phases of a relationship. Initial contact occurred as he caught my attention while cross-country running. I felt an instant attraction and my friends started calling him Paige's crush. The similarity of interests brought us together and provided opportunities for interactive contact through high school football. The relationship developed from afar as we observed and learned from each other through the proximity of our neighborhoods, living just a mile apart. Exhilarating, throbbing emotions overwhelmed me every time John called. Showing interest, John pursued me and wanted to spend time together. Our personalities intertwined. Duchenne's uncontrollable smiles took over when I saw him or thought about him. Group dinners didn't require the need to talk because our nonverbal communication and eye contact said it all, demonstrated by winks and silly faces. By the end of the summer we were bonded and officially dating. Our knowledge continued as our involvement expanded and outreach developed rapidly. I soon learned the limits of current events by bringing you...... middle of the paper......le because we live in reality. He taught us how to improve through the stages of relationships. My long-term relationship has reached new levels of commitment and intimacy through difficult times that others may use as reason to end what they once had. Instead, we used the low points as a way to better appreciate the high points of our new reality. As we continue our relationship today, we learn to cooperate by listening and receiving before responding harshly. The Knapp cycle continues on a direct path toward repair or resolution, and John and I have learned to resolve our problems calmly and rationally because we have complete trust in our relationship. John and I consider our mistakes and avoid negative revelations in every discussion. John and I have found a communication system that works for us and every relationship will be different.