Is there any way 你 can get through an awkward stage in a relationship?

Hmm... Considering I haven't been in a relationship before, I don't know if I'd be much help. However, I'll try the best that I can.

So 你 guys have been 老友记 for a while, and that's good to know; I like when relationships start off that way. It's good to be 老友记 with someone instead of just looking at someone, and then deciding to go out with them just because of their looks without getting to know them first. (Sorry, a little rant there.) Maybe, while in this phase, 你 can try to "start over". Reopen some subjects that 你 used to talk about years ago, and relive those moments. I can only imagine that it would probably be normal to have such a stage in a relationship, considering that you've both been best 老友记 first. Try not thinking of it much as a relationship -- just imagine that you're still best friends, but a bit closer than before. Kind of like you're taking care of a sibling: don't think of it like a chore 或者 because 你 have to, but because you're family and 你 爱情 one another. Something like that; what I'm trying to convey is a bit hard to explain. If 你 understand it, though, then great.

Also, maybe 你 should go to 更多 places together and spend time alone. If 你 let yourself into this awkward stage a little longer, 你 might get used to it and not notice. There have been plenty of people I've heard say that having silence was the best conversation between one another. It's possible for relationships to thrive with no words. Go to the 电影院 或者 the mall, 或者 just take a walk somewhere 你 both enjoy. Make small talk and see what comes up later on -- 你 never know what can happen.