Bristol Palin-Levi Johnston Relationship Timeline

(Aug. 3) -- Last month, Sarah Palin's eldest daughter, Bristol, shocked the world (and her mom) by announcing her (re)engagement to ex-boyfriend and baby-daddy Levi Johnston on the cover of Us Weekly. Now, she's turned to another celeb tabloid to break the news that she's breaking it all off, again. As People reports today:

In an emotional phone interview with PEOPLE, Palin spoke through tears about feeling heartbroken, humiliated and trapped – while Johnston acted cool. "There's been no remorse," she says, adding that she's seen him only once in the past three weeks.

How did it all go South so fast? Over a week ago, the National Enquirer was the first to suggest to the public that Levi allegedly one of three men who could have gotten his ex-girlfriend Lanesia Garcia pregnant late last year (when he was on a break from Bristol).

Both he and she have since denied his paternity, but Bristol has admitted to People today that finding out about the possibility was the final straw. Last week, Radar Online noted that the two former lovebirds were only communicating by text message. Now, at least she appears to be communicating her feelings primarily through the press.

Of course, everyone who has followed the trail of the Palins since they burst onto the national scene during the 2008 presidential race knows that there is a long, complicated, messy history behind today's heartbreaking news. Their romance has been so fraught with drama and sudden plot twists, Bristol and Levi themselves probably can't keep keep the timeline straight.

Not that it would ever stop Surge Desk from valiantly trying! Herewith, a recap of the many hot and cold spells of the young couple's coupling.

(If you think we've left out any important parts, feel free to e-mail carl.franzen@aolnews.com.)

Fall 2005 to 2006: HOT
Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston reportedly begin dating in their first year in high school (ages 14 and 15, respectively) and are quickly making long-term commitments. Levi later tells the press, "We were planning on getting married a long time ago with or without the kid. That was the plan from the start."

July 2007: COLD
While on a caribou hunt, Levi loses the promise ring that Bristol gave to him affirming their commitment to wait until after marriage to have sex. To make up for it, he elects to tattoo "Bristol" on his index finger.

Sept. 1, 2008: LUKEWARM
Shortly after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is announced as Sen. John McCain's running mate, rumors abound about both Trig's recent birth and Bristol's as-yet-unconfirmed pregnancy. Palin's campaign is quickly forced to disclose the news that her daughter Bristol, age 17 and unwed, is five months pregnant.

In their public statements, Sarah and Todd Palin are very encouraging, saying they are "proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby" and will support her and future husband Levi. De facto engagement is on! But there's trouble afoot: As New York Daily News observes, Levi's MySpace page says he "does not want kids."

Sept. 4, 2008: HOT
The mommy- and daddy-to-be (and of course, grandmother-to-be Sarah Palin) make their big debut at the Republican National Convention. Although Palin's speech doesn't acknowledge Levi Johnston by name, he is invited up on stage with the whole family afterward. The New York Daily News proclaims them "stars."

Dec. 27, 2008: HOT
Baby Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston is born. Mama Bristol reportedly receives $300,000 from People magazine for the first pics.

Jan. 17, 2009: COLD
Levi's 18-year-old sister, Mercede Johnston, leaves a MySpace message on a friend's wall complaining about the Palin family's treatment of her and her mother, which is picked up by Gawker. As Mercede puts it:

Levi is in a bit of a haze right now ... Umm, I'm not allowed to see my nephew and my mom isn't either. We aren't Palins so therefore we are white trash and Bristol doesn't want her baby around us. So mom and I are really upset over it. I just hope Levi pulls his head out of his butt and lets us see our nephew and her grandbaby.

Bristol Palin later releases a statement indirectly accusing Mercede of fabricating the quote for media attention.

Feb. 18, 2009: HOT
Bristol Palin makes her first public appearance since the birth of Tripp (and with him in tow) on Fox News' "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren." Palin tells Van Susteren that Johnston is a "hands-on dad" who sees his son every day and that the couple plan to wed at an unspecified date in the future, after they finish school.

March 11, 2009: COLD
Less than a month later, the young couple call it quits. Although the news is reported on March 11, a source tells People that Johnston and Palin had made their decision to part ways "weeks ago." Johnston later confirms this with the magazine and denies reports that Palin dumped him, saying it was a mutual breakup.

March 16, 2009: LUKEWARM
Levi indicates that he'd like to reconcile with his estranged former fiance, telling ABC News' "Good Morning America" that "We've both had our tough times with each other and we'll see what happens. I mean, I'd like to get back together with her -- I don't know what she's thinking -- one day, but whatever happens, happens. I mean, I'll still be there for the kid, still help her out, that kind of thing."

April 3, 2009: COLD
Levi makes an appearance on "Tyra," telling host Tyra Banks that he is pretty sure Sarah Palin knew that he and Bristol had a sexual relationship: "Moms are pretty smart," he says. The Palin family hits back with a statement from a representative: "It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well-being of the child."

May 5, 2009: HOT
Bristol makes an appearance on CBS News' "The Early Show," saying that she'd "love for Levi to be a part" of Tripp's life and that the couple were making efforts to jointly raise their son.

May 30, 2009: LUKEWARM
Levi poses shirtless in GQ with Tripp and tells the magazine that he can't bond with the baby because going over to the Palin house "makes me pretty damn uncomfortable."

I would call and say, "Can I pick him up?" It was, "No, you can't have him, but you can come see him." Just going over there, and Todd and Sarah sitting there staring at me, doesn't do it for me. Todd never says anything, really. Sarah, I don't know. She's a politician. She knows how to throw in a fake smile and look happy. They're pretty good at that.

But Johnston also tells GQ that relations are improving with the Palins, which they confirm.

June to September 2009: COLD
Levi Johnston goes to Hollywood! Launching a media blitz against the Palin family (and Sarah in particular), Johnston makes the talk show/magazine spread circuit, eventually culminating in a damning Vanity Fair profile/tell-all titled "Me and Mrs. Palin," in which he alleges that the former vice presidential candidate wanted to keep Bristol's pregnancy a secret, among other scathing accusations.

Oct. 8, 2009: COLD
Levi Johnston announces he will accept an offer to pose nude in Playgirl.

Oct. 30, 2009: FRI-GID
Levi Johnston threatens to sue Bristol Palin for joint custody of Tripp. He tells The Guardian that "I'm up to the point where I can't see my kid again. I'm done. I'm sure we'll end up in court. We're definitely going to court." One week later, Palin secretly files a suit for full custody of Tripp.

Nov. 17, 2009: COLD
The first scantily clad pictures of Johnston in Playgirl emerge on the Web.

Dec. 29, 2009: COLD
The judge presiding over the Palin-Johnston custody battle denies Palin's request to keep the "media circus" out of the trial. CNN notes that Johnston wants the trial to be made public to protect himself from his "powerful, politically ambitious ... extremely vindictive" former mother-in-law-to-be, Sarah Palin. Palin's attorney, however, argued that doing so is "not in Tripp's best interest."

Jan. 22, 2010: COLD
Bristol Palin's attorney demands $1,750 a month in child support payments plus six months of retroactive payments. The filing in Alaska court alleges that Levi made "in excess of $105,000 in 2009 through various media interviews and modeling related activities." TMZ quotes Bristol's statement affirming the filing: "I have received limited and sporadic financial assistance from Levi."

Feb. 11, 2010: COLD
Levi's attorney files papers fighting Palin's demands on the basis that his income is erratic.

Feb. 8, 2010: COLD
Levi Johnston's Playgirl issue hits the stands and is widely panned.

Feb. 26, 2010: LUKEWARM
The judge presiding over the Palin-Johnston custody case orders Levi to pay the retroactive child-support payments he owes Bristol. Levi's attorney says that his client is eager to comply.

Feb. 23, 2010: HOT
Bristol Palin goes to Hollywood! The 19-year-old single mother announces she will be making her acting debut on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," with a statement advocating abstinence, as quoted by ABC News: "I am thrilled to be on this show and to be part of a program that educates teens and young adults about the consequences of teen pregnancy."

March 8, 2010: LUKEWARM
Levi Johnston finally pays back the $21,000 he owed Palin in child support.

May 2010: LUKEWARM
Bristol Palin hits the "paid lecture circuit," reportedly earning an estimated $15,000 to $30,000 for making speeches advocating abstinence. At the end of the month, she poses alongside Tripp for a story in Harper's Bazaar magazine, in which she admits that getting pregnant at age 17 was "kind of humiliating" and that her parents never talked to her about sex.

June 16, 2010: HOT
Bristol appears on ABC News' "Good Morning America" and announces that she and Levi have "begun a new chapter of cooperation," as ABC puts it. Palin herself is perhaps slightly less dramatic, saying: "Levi and I are turning a new page here as co-parents to this wonderful boy and putting aside the past because doing so is in Tripp's best interest." In addition, a source tells Us Weekly that "Bristol and Levi are still very close," fueling a wave of stories suggesting the couple's romance has been rekindled.

June 23, 2010: COLD
Bristol's acting debut is widely panned.

July 6, 2010: HOT
Levi issues public apologies to Bristol, Sarah and the rest of the Palins in People magazine, saying: "Last year, after Bristol and I broke up, I was unhappy and a little angry. Unfortunately, against my better judgment, I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true. I have already privately apologized to Todd and Sarah. Since my statements were public, I owe it to the Palins to publicly apologize."

July 7, 2010: COLD
Levi's sister Mercede Johnston claims on her blog that Bristol got pregnant on purpose and expresses her shock and dismay at Levi's apology.

July 13, 2010: HOT HOT HOT!
In an Us magazine scoop, Bristol and Levi announce they are engaged anew (as of two weeks ago) and due to be married within weeks! Bristol's parents release a statement of tentative support for the reunion to NBC News, which reads as follows: "Bristol at 19 is now a young adult. We obviously want what's best for our children. Bristol believes in redemption and forgiveness to a degree most of us struggle to put in practice in our daily lives."

July 30, 2010: COLD!
The National Enquirer publishes a piece suggesting Levi is a candidate for the paternity of ex-girlfriend Lanesia Garcia's unborn child. Radar Online checks in with a Palin family representative and learns that Bristol is "heartbroken," and that the formerly lovey-dovey pair are only communicating via text. While Levi sings the "Billy Jean" defense ("the kid is not my son") and the engagement hasn't been officially called off, Gawker notes he is adding insult to injury by hanging out in Los Angeles, "preparing to star in a music video with singer Brittani Senser, daughter of former Minnesota Viking Joe Senser. (And thus yet another well-born wilder-babe of the northern tundra. Levi's got a 'type.')"

August 3, 2010: SO COLD!
Bristol confirms to People magazine that she is "heartbroken" over Levi's potential paternity and his subsequent behavior since they announced their engagement, and is thus breaking it off. She tells the tabloid she still holds out hope for a husband and a father for Tripp: ""I have faith that I'll find it. Through this whole experience I know I need a man who's going to be completely honest with me and someone who loves me and Tripp and wants to be with him all the time. I also want someone who has religious beliefs and a good family."

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