One of the main components of a relationship requires positive communication between the couples involved in the bond. If there is a lack of communication in the relationship, this could weaken the connection and cause it to crumble. It seems that most married couples today have replaced face-to-face conversations with the convenience of electronics. This has made hearing words a murky matter, especially with the introduction of technology. Instead of sitting down and having a conversation, couples now rely on text messages, emails or Skype to communicate. Growing up in the 1960s, communication was very different than it is today. People could choose whether to speak on the phone or use a speaking method that included a personal touch and be prepared to respond with feedback. Then came electronically mediated communication (EMC), “communication that is not face to face, but rather is sent through a medium.” (Beebe, Beebe, and Redmond 15) This would change the way people communicate with each other, impact their relationships, and eliminate the personal side of a conversation. I chose to write about my marriage and how our relationship is based on having strong communication between the two of us. To build a strong relationship, you need to start the foundation from the basement up. The first step requires a couple to be open and honest with each other and not alter the sending information to provide only enough information to satisfy their side of the conversation. Before my marriage to Debbie, I would take any of my personal information and make it part of a one-way communication street, especially with any relationships I was previously involved in. I would like to build a com...... middle of paper ...... well, we have our good days and our bad days. Stress levels may be high and angry words have been known to be exchanged, but when the dust has settled, we can still sit at the table as a family. As we sit at the table together as a family, I think about the time and look at each of my family members and am so proud of what Debbie and I have done together as a team. Even when there was lack of communication, ego conflict, selective listening, and selective remembering, together we took the time to listen to others' concerns and express our opinions. Dinner time is one of my favorite times of the day, it's the time I sit down with four of my best friends: Works CitedBeebe, Steven A., Susan J. Beebe, and Mark Redmond. Interpersonal communication: relating to others. Seventh ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. Print