The story revolves around a couple, Josh and Marissa, who are experiencing a rough patch in their relationship. The conversation starts with them arguing over attending a coworker's potluck, which escalates into a deeper discussion about their relationship. They reminisce about their past, recalling the different stages of their relationship: meeting, the chase, the honeymoon, comfort, tolerance, and downhill.
Josh narrates that their relationship has become stale and that they've grown apart. They've become tolerant of each other, rather than genuinely caring. The conversation takes a turn, and they start discussing their future, realizing that they have two options: breaking up or getting married.
As they reflect on their relationship, Josh contemplates the possibility of breaking up and what their lives would be like if they parted ways. They acknowledge that they might not stay in touch and that their relationship might become a distant memory.
Ultimately, the conversation ends with a sense of uncertainty and a glimmer of hope that they might be able to rekindle their love for each other. The story concludes with Josh looking back at a letter Marissa wrote to him, which he had forgotten about, and it ends with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The speaker and Marissa had a disagreement about attending a coworker's potluck.
2. The speaker thinks the potluck is stupid, but Marissa feels obligated to go.
3. The speaker and Marissa have been together for over a year and a half.
4. The speaker reflects on the stages of their relationship, starting from when they first met.
5. They met when the speaker's shoelace was untied, and Marissa told him.
6. The speaker and Marissa went for a five-mile run together on their first meeting.
7. The speaker got Marissa's number after their first meeting.
8. The speaker and Marissa's relationship went through stages, including "The Chase," "The Honeymoon," "Comfortable," "Tolerance," and "Downhill."
9. During the "Tolerance" stage, the speaker and Marissa started taking each other for granted.
10. The speaker and Marissa are now in the "Downhill" stage, where they are arguing frequently.
11. The speaker reflects on the possibility of breaking up and how it will affect their lives.
12. Marissa has moved to San Francisco and is now with someone else.
13. The speaker and Marissa meet again by chance, but it's clear that their relationship has ended.
14. The speaker reflects on how their relationship has become just a memory.
15. The speaker and Marissa have only two options for their future together: breaking up or getting married.
16. The speaker and Marissa are unsure about their future together.
Note: I've excluded opinions and subjective statements from the list, focusing on factual information.