A few weeks ago, the longest relationship I've ever been in came to an end...I finished watching "Friends" on Netflix.
Yes, after almost nine blissful months of laughing, crying, singing along to the theme song (four claps and all), and becoming immersed in the lives of six of television's best characters, it was over. It was my first time getting through every single episode of all ten seasons, and I'll never forget it.
OK, maybe I'm being a tad melodramatic, especially considering the fact that thanks to the 21st century I can go back on Netflix and binge watch "Friends" to my heart's delight. But when one show consumes your life for so long, it's a little hard to accept that from now on it won't feel new again.
We're not going to address any part of my series finale experience -- not even how it took place in a back corner of my favorite Panera Bread with my best friend and her laptop, or how I cried over my pumpkin spice latte and almond scone while she empathetically consoled me. Nope, we're not going there. It's just too painful.
So in the spirit of commemorating the happy times, this is a declaration of my love and appreciation for my favorite characters, outfits, one-liners, and life lessons from "Friends."
Here's to Monica and Chandler!
Monica and Chandler. I never knew how badly I needed them to be a couple until it happened in London and from that moment on, I fell in love with their love. Their relationship brought a new, more sentimental dynamic to the later seasons of the show; they were the glue that held the gang together. BuzzFeed says everything my incredibly emotional self couldn't about what Mondler means to fans everywhere. I'll never forget the hilarious turkey head scene when they first said "I love you", their perfect proposal and wedding, the heartbreaking moment when they found out Monica was infertile, and the rush of joy I felt when they finally adopted twins. The love, support, and laughter they shared with each other through it all proves that these Monica Geller and Chandler Bing are ultimate relationship goals.
And to Phoebe Buffay, my spirit animal.
I found a bit of myself in all of the personalities of the "Friends" group, but Phoebe was the one I connected to the most. Her blunt remarks and sarcastic jokes always came with perfect comedic timing, but she was also just a weird old soul stumbling through life, and that's why I related to her so well. Maybe I couldn't relate to every detail of her story (like the whole living on the street thing, losing her mother to suicide, having an identical twin sister, and being the surrogate carrier for her brother's babies) but Phoebe gave off this fun, down to earth, eccentric artist vibe that made her special and memorable. Her fairytale happy ending with Mike was the reason I went through half of a tissue box in one day. And who could ever forget "Smelly Cat," which has become one of the most iconic songs in pop culture as we know it? Yep, no doubt about it, Phoebe Buffay was the shining light of my "Friends" experience.
Honorable mention goes to Rachel Green's wardrobe.
I'm still amazed by how one character's style had such a major influence on the real life fashion of the late 1990s and early 2000s -- women all over the country even demanded a layered haircut that became known as "The Rachel" in order to achieve her signature 'do. Jennifer Aniston rocked these perfectly laid back, put together outfits so well that people are still gushing over them today and looking to Rachel as a major source of fashion inspo. Just one question, though: How can a girl ever look that good in pajamas with no makeup on and her hair in a messy bun? You left behind a legacy that's pretty damn hard to aspire to, Ms. Green.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a million other reasons why "Friends"will always be my favorite TV show ever, but here's the biggest one: it taught me to appreciate the simple things in life. Even when the group's schedules were chaotic or their worlds were falling apart, they always had each other. It may not be realistic to expect to live in a cute little apartment in Manhattan with my best friends when we're all twenty-somethings, but I know that they will be by my side through whatever ups and downs come my way. Over the course of ten seasons, Joey, Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, and Phoebe have helped me realize that as long as you have a few genuine friends, everything will work itself out in time. All you need are the people who love you.
Here's to you, "Friends." Even when you're long removed from Netflix, I will still be watching. I'll be there for you....'cause you're there for me, too.