Death of Communication

Have you ever noticed that when you first start dating someone, you talk. You talk about everything, family, friends, childhood stories....you share anecdotes that you pretend you haven't told anyone before. How you used to sing showtunes with your hairbrush while playing dressup. Or how he would ride his bike off jumps in the street with friends to impress girls. How both of you have a crazy uncle. You both discuss your favorite books, restuarants, movies, places to vacation. You talk about places you would like to vacation. Your philosophies on life. The days are filled with talking. You start thinking that maybe you should change your cell phone provider so that the mobile-to-mobile minutes would save your bank account.

Then, one day, out of the blue....you're 'together'. You start introducing him as your boyfriend. He starts introducing you as his girlfriend. You start hanging out with your other 'couple' friends. And then, right there, out of the blue...you stop talking. The death of communication. Suddenly you are reverting to reading body language. How is he holding your had..is he holding your hand? Is he sitting on the other side of the room with his back slightly turned to you? Or is he cuddled up against you? Does he stare at the TV rather than peek over at you constantly the way he did when everything was new? Do you sleep curled up together in the classic 'spoon', or are you sleeping with your backs to each other with at least 2 feet of space between you...

Suddenly your conversations consist of what you did at work, where you had lunch. What are your plans for the weekend, do they even include him? Sure you do things together. You go out to dinner, and for the first time in 3 months, you are dedicated to the food placed in front of you. You watch a movie, and you are so involved, you didn't notice that he passed out. The next morning, you both eat breakfast, his in front of the TV while watching the game. Yours in the kitchen as you figure out what you'll do with your day.

How do people get past this demise in communication? Why is it that the transition makes people stop talking? Is it just me? Am I alone in this? Is there some version of communication CPR that I don't know about?