Knapp's Relational Model

 For this discussion, the interpersonal relationship that I decided to talk about and analyze is the relationship between me and my grandmother. In my introduction post, I mentioned how I had moved to my father's home country, and because of that, the relationship between me and my grandmother changed. Before moving me and my grandmother were well-bonded, we called almost every other day and saw each other in person often. I would sometimes stay over at her house for the weekends or spend the day with her at her favorite shopping locations. We would also see each other Fridays and Sundays for church so seeing each other was a constant thing that changed dramatically once I moved to another country. 

From: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/building-relationships-elevate-sustain-professional-career-pruett

Our relationship went from one where we were constantly in each other's lives to only seeing each other through video calls which changed our relationship from bonding to differentiating. We no longer have the option of meeting up whenever or spending weekends together. Me and grandmother used to talk often through apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp when I first moved but now we might talk once every two weeks and that is if there is something that needs to be shared. Sadly, we no longer call just to talk, we often have to make time for each other. I can happily say that the length of our phone calls has not gotten shorter. Communicating online has been a new thing between me and my grandma and it has changed how we talk since we have to have to see if the other person has time. Without online communication, it would have put more of a distance between us but thankfully we can still keep in contact and communicate. 

The Communication in the Real World published by the University of Minnesota has a great chapter on the foundation of the relationships we have. I encourage you to check it out at the URL: https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/7-1-foundations-of-relationships/