"I got the Slow Burn"

The Distant Echo?/Strong> Just as the details of good event fade into generalized warm memories, so does the relationship that fades out into the distant echo of a solitary person left completely alone asking himself Or herself why phone calls, e-mail and voicemails go unreturned. Is there an echo in here? Surely when the phone stops ringing and days of silence turn into weeks, the end of a relationship is on the horizon. Most likely cause: There are numerous possible causes that come in to play with a distant-echo breakup. Sometimes the relationship is a casual one that never got serious enough to warrant the "relationship label". Other times the relationship may have started out intensely, but now has suddenly come to a crashing halt. (See also: Sizzle and Fizzle, below.) Whichever the case may me, the relationship has already ended for the disinterested partner they just haven't told you yet. When it comes to love, communication skills are learned over time through the trials and tribulations of dating and relationships. However, some people are still climbing up the learning curve when it comes to expressing their honest feelings, especially when it is suspected that a partner will be disappointed and maybe even a little bit angry. When interest in pursuing the relationship further plumments, these guys and gals let time be their distance and silence their way of coping with the uncomfortable idea of delivering bad news. When the phone stops ringing and the e-mails and voicemails go returned, there is, in fact, something going on. Someone blessed with more maturity would, of course, confront the situation head on, but the anti-confrontational sort can even handle his Or her own "I'm a bad guy" feelings, let alone your hurt feelings, and so the silent front moves in. Take comfort in?/Strong> The fact that maturity is not overrated. You can choose to be angry, and that is okay, especially since in many cases the esscape artist tormerly known as your love interest probably came on pretty strong in the beginning of your involvement. After you're worked out your feelings, though, congratulate yourself for not dating someone with the breakup coping skills of someone in high school of early college years (you) deserve more than that! Sizzle & Fizzle?/Strong> How could something that felt so right now suddenly feel so wrong, sometimes to the point of, "What was I thinking?" Not just for the urban chic, a la 'Sex and the city', the 3-months (or 3 weeks!) relationship that glides in to a breakup is a common occurrence, especially in younger age groups, and frequently, these types of experiences can be painful because one person feelings are stronger and clearly wants it to work. Most likely cause: Simply put, chemistry without compatibility, combined with too fast, too soon, is usually the culprit. When physical attraction trumps common sense, and all things physical progress too quickly, the frequent fallout is an ending almost as quickly as the union began, much to the chagrin of one partner. Take comfort in?/Strong> The lesson learned that getting too close too quickly without getting to see all sides of your partner. While it is painful, the anger you may be feeling toward your now ex is mostly a projection of self-anger, and it's okay, you got swept up in a series of moments that took your breath away, and because of their intensity, you wanted it to be the "real thing" (i.e, lasting love.) Or maybe on some level, you knew that it had no chance for longevity, but you went for it anyway because it was new and exciting. The next times this happens you'll recognize that even with the pull of strong chemistry, it pays to take things more slowly.