Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

On the flight, Diane was in the front of the plane while Nick was at the back of the plane. The
two had never met or even really laid eyes on each other. Both were taken to a place called Gambo,
about 20 minutes outside of Gander. At the shelter there, the two met in line waiting to get blankets.
One of them commented about how the blankets smelled, and the two just started talking. Nick,
sensing the possibility of a new friend, ended up bunking next to Diane in the shelter. The two
shared stories and trail mix. Over the next few days, the two started to fall in love.
One night, the two, along with other passengers, went to a local pub where the two became
official Newfoundlanders, by drinking Screech and kissing a cod. During the midst of the festivities,
a local justice of the peace made the mistake of assuming the two were a couple. When he found
out they weren’t, the justice said, “I can marry the two of you.” To which Diane responded, “sure!”
Admittedly, it was probably the Screech talking, but in that moment, Diane realized that she really
was starting to like Nick and that she could see him romantically.
After four days, a hurricane was quickly approaching Newfoundland, so there was a short time
period to get the planes off the ground once the U.S.’s airspace was reopened. On the bus heading
back to the airport, Diane started to tear up, realizing that this side journey in life was ending. Nick
leaned in to comfort her and kiss her on the forehead, but Diane took the opportunity to turn it into
a more romantic experience.
Nick ultimately proposed to Diane over the phone in November, and the two were married on
September 7, 2002, and they honeymooned in Newfoundland. Nick and Diane Marson are very
much real people. You can even follow them on Twitter, @RealNickanDiane. Their story is actually
one of the main plot-points in the awarding winning Broadway musical Come From Away, which
explores the generosity of the people of Gander and the ones who come from away.
1. What do you think it was about this situation that drew the couple together?
1. How would you describe their relationship using the family life cycle?
2. Why do you think Nick and Diane Marson’s story has been so captivating to millions of people
around the world?
End of Chapter Quiz
1. Socio-orientation is characterized by all of the following except _____.
a. Harmony
b. Similarity of values
c. Relatively little communication
d. Self-expression
2. Concept-orientation is characterized by all of the following except _____.
a. Self-expression
b. Open communication between parent and child
c. Frequent communication between parent and child
d. Harmony
3. A ___________ is a pictorial representation of a family across generations that can be used to track
generations of family interactions, medical issues, psychological issues, relationship patterns, and any
other variable a researcher or clinician may be interested in studying.
a. Family life cycle
b. Family system chart
Interpersonal Communication 398