After years of binge watching TV dramas, sitcoms, and cartoons, I finally came across the comedic and wholesome masterpiece known as "The Office." I had heard about the show for quite some time, but I never really saw the appeal of it until now. The dry humor and cheap shots were enough to get me interested initially, but it was the romance between Jim and Pam that kept me around. I waited around for multiple seasons to see this wonderful couple finally make their way to each other, and after many many gut-punchers, office retreats and failed relationships, the two made it to one another.
Jim and Pam's relationship on the surface may seem to lack the passion that had determined many other top television couples, but there is something very special and intriguing about this relationship. So, here are the top five things about Jim and Pam that make them the best on screen couple of all time.
1. They were best friends before they ever got together
For an avid Office lover, the first few seasons watching Jim and Pam get so close to dating without actually following through were painful, but that's not to say they didn't leave us with some serious feels every time they teamed up to prank Dwight, attended the coveted Dundies, or just listened to music together in the Chili's parking lot. The duo were best friends for many years before ever getting close to dating, and the friendship dynamic that they have is what makes an audience feel all warm inside when they finally started dating.
2. They support each other’s dreams
Both Jim and Pam had very different plans for themselves prior to getting a job at Dunder Mifflin, Pam wanted to be an artist and Jim wanted to do anything but sell paper, but life just seemed to work out differently. However, when they were both given the opportunity to pursue a dream, their partner supported them fully. In the series' final season, in fact, Pam made the decision to follow Jim wherever his new job prospect might take him, and they left the company for good. And in an earlier season, Jim supported Pam when she was offered a spot at a prestigious art school, even making long trips to surprise her during their time apart.
3. They were realistic “couple goals”
There wasn't a bunch of unrealistic romantic gestures being handed out in "The Office" between Jim and Pam. We didn't see big fancy dinner dates or crazy gift-giving. We saw a teapot gift with hidden meaning and a house that stayed in the family. There wasn't a bunch of on-and-off romance that is commonly associated with great TV power couples, (i.e. Chuck and Blair, Elena and Damon etc.) they were an authentic telling of real-life romance (but, the rainy proposal was EVERYTHING).
4. They weren’t perfect all the time
Oh man, season 9 was rough. We saw Jim and Pam really struggle with career prospects and a potential affair, but they came out of all of it on top. The one major lesson we can gather from this is that relationships aren't always perfect, there will be rough patches and heartache and pain even in the strongest of couples, but it's how you handle it and work through it all as a team that determines the future of the relationship.
5. He waited for her
Many years and many relationships came and went and Jim still held out hope that his dream girl would eventually see him as more than a friend. It may have seemed like the relationship would never happen, but he never fully gave up on the idea of him and Pam finally get together. In the end, that's what makes them so iconic because all anyone wants is for someone to never give up on them.
