Fairy tales tell us that once upon a time there was a girl who met a boy; they fell in love and lived happily ever after. The reality is not so simple. Long-term relationships require couples to get to know each other, become involved in each other's worlds, fight through tough times, and ultimately develop deeper bonds, as shown through the distinct stages of the relationship model by Knapp. Although I have been dating the same person for over two years, our communication through the stages of the relationship makes it seem like I am now dating a different person than the one I met years ago. After dissolution and subsequent repair, I realize that the most exhilarating roller coaster ride unfolds through series of ups and downs, much like the stages of building our relationship. Our first contact was when he caught my eye during a cross-country run. I felt an immediate attraction and my friends called him "Paige's crush." The similarity of interests connected us and provided opportunities for interactional contact through high school football. The relationship developed remotely as we observed and learned about each other through the proximity of our neighborhoods. Living only a kilometer apart meant more chance of contact. Soon we moved into deliberate contact and exhilarating, thrilling emotions overwhelmed me every time John called me. Showing interest, John pursued me as we spent time together, mixing our personalities. Duchenne's uncontrollable smiles took over whenever I saw him or thought of him. Football team dinners didn't require words, because our nonverbal communication and eye contact said so through winks and silly faces. By the end of the summer, we found ourselves hooked up and officially dating. Middle of paper...... our relationship model and we ended up better because of it. Although there is no such thing as happiness Since forever, there is a cycle of steps that transformed my relationship into a stronger bond. Our journey has taught us to improve through the relationship stages, reaching new levels of involvement and intimacy in difficult times. Others might see the dips in the roller coaster as a reason to end rather than repair what they once had. True growth requires us to use the weaknesses to better appreciate the strengths of our new reality. Continuing our relationship even today, we learn to cooperate by listening and receiving before responding in a harsh tone. The Knapp Cycle continues on a path toward repair or termination and John and I now resolve our issues in a calm, rational manner because we have learned through each difficult period..