"Friends" will forever go down in history as one of the best sitcoms to air. It ranked in the top 10 for seasons ratings in every single season, including its first. While entertaining, appropriately light and engaging, "Friends" also quietly teaches its audience countless important life lessons. It has been nearly 12 years since "Friends" left the air, but its passionate fans still remain loyal. Here are 5 of the most important lessons we learned while watching Phoebe, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Ross, and Joey take on everyday life.

1. You NEVER have to settle for a mediocre relationship.

Rachel Greene (Jennifer Aniston) is first introduced after leaving her almost-husband Barry at the altar. The entire first season, Rachel works on breaking out of her daddy-dependent state working toward complete independence in a new life. Throughout the entire duration of "Friends" we see time and time again the three women work on themselves before a relationship. Thanks for reminding us that there's nothing wrong with getting married in your thirties, people!

2. High School is NOT the time to peak.

Don't EVER be a Chip Matthews. For all of those that need a refresher, Chip was the "popular" guy that Monica went on a date with. Chip was working his same job, living with his parents, and still driving the same motorcycle. Please don't be a Chip. Monica was fat, Chandler was weird(er) and Ross was nerdy(er) and look at them now. Don't peak in high school, there's a whole lot more to life than football games and prom.

3. You're never too old to follow a new passion.

After being relocated to Tulsa, Chandler realized that he was brutally unhappy in his job. Even at 30 years old Chandler started over in an advertising position. He started as an unpaid intern and ended up being able to do what he loves every single day. Thanks for showing us how to constantly re-evaluate our professional happiness.

4. No matter what happens, true FRIENDS will always be there.

Throughout the duration of "Friends," there were too many disputes to count. Whether it was the “we were on a break” debacle, Joey accidentally proposing to Rachel or Chip Matthews calling for Monica instead of Rachel there was no shortage of conflict. Regardless, time and time again the iconic group makes it work. There’s nothing better than surrounding yourself with people that love you unconditionally, no matter what ridiculous mistake you make.

5. The best friends are the ones you can be yourself in front of 100% of the time.

Chandler is constantly spewing jokes, Monica is OCD beyond belief, Rachel is incredibly high maintenance, Joey can be outright ignorant and Phoebe has more quirky characteristics than normal ones. One of the best aspects of "Friends" are these faults. We learn to relate to and love this group because they are perfectly imperfect and therefore we can connect each one of them to someone we know in our lives or friends we have in our own groups. "Friends" may just be a television show but the lessons it teaches us about quality friendship are invaluable.

6. Being able to let loose is extremely important.

Feeling like you spend your time with people you can be yourself around is so important. Not one friend in the group was perfectly normal and that made it all the more realistic. If you're concerned with your friend's perceptions, you don't have the right friends.

7. Keep friends in your life that will hold you accountable.

Hell hath no fury like Monica when Chandler smokes. Everyone makes mistakes, true friends are honest with you 100% of the time, not because they are judging you but because they care. Being the best version of yourself means hearing the hard truths some days.

8. DON'T take your best friend's girl.

This one is pretty self-explanatory, they were never REALLY on a break, Joey! Don't be that guy (or girl). No relationship should end a friendship.

9. Sometimes, mistakes become the greatest of the greatest blessings.

Holding a grudge over friends ends up hurting you just as much. Friends are human, they make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes become the greatest blessing. Just look at Phoebe and Mike. If it wasn't for Joey's lack of memory/responsibility, Phoebe would have ended up with the scientist from Minsk.

10. Sometimes, life sucks and seems like it won't stop sucking. Eventually, it will.

The "Friends" theme song always made me laugh; it reminds us that sometimes we have bad days, months, or even years. There have never been words that were truer, sometimes life sucks and there's not much we can do about it aside from being as positive as possible and relying on those great people around us. Monica may still be crying over Richard ten years later if it wasn't for the gang.

Long story short, we miss you, "Friends." Thanks for the many life lessons.