For decades, scientists (and individuals) have attempted to de-code that most mysterious of relationship phenomena: cheating. Why do people cheat? How can you tell if you're being cheated on? And for some, what should you do if you are one of the millions of people who, instead of being that pitied cheatee, is the cheater?

There's certainly a great deal to discuss here. However one topic that is often overlooked (perhaps because it is so pitiful to think of) is what one should do if they, after cheating, they are looking for romantic reconciliation. This is not an easy pathway to navigate. Between a gauntlet of condemning friends and family and a slighted love who proceeds with a revenge carte blanche, a cheater must contend with enormous obstacles in order to win back the love that was once easily their own. Does that mean that reconciliation is unattainable? By no means.

So how should one proceed? If you are indeed looking to win back that lost love, a good way to start is to write an apology letter. A letter has a number of positive attributes that make it a good starting point, one being that you as the writer have absolute control over its contents. You can be as honest and forthwright without losing composure because (tah-dah!) a letter doesn't have to be delivered live. Furthermore, letters presesnt concrete, endearing evidence of your sentiment. While words can be delivered quickly and with insincerity, letters are considered more thoughtful and honest than a brief oral apology, and therefore have a more powerful affect. And lastly, should cheating be the cause of a relationships' end, a letter presents a very useful platform for discussing sensitive and emotional scenarios without losing your cool.