Just in case you live under a rock and were unaware of the shows now available on Netflix, all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls are now available for your binge-watching pleasure. Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why, out of all the shows to binge-watch this summer, would I begin watching Gilmore Girls?” Well my friend, let me explain to you why you are not living until you have perched yourself comfortably on a soft surface and enveloped yourself into the world of all things Gilmore.

For starters, Gilmore Girls is a family show. Not only can you watch this wonderful series with everyone in your family and have stories to tell for years and years to come, but it will make your problematic family dynamic pale in comparison to the bitter tensions between Lorelai Gilmore and her affluent, controlling parents. Additionally, in case you needed a reminder as to why your mother is and will always be your best friend, the envious best-friend dynamic between Lorelai and her daughter Rory will serve to reestablish this notion. Gilmore Girls is not only witty and fast paced for those of you who already have a headache at the thought of watching yet another mundane series, but the chemistry between each character and the overlapping story lines that occur throughout each season are brilliantly thought out and beyond well-executed. You will relish in the idea of living in a small town where everyone knows each other’s business and you will find yourself striving for an Ivy-league education and Rory-level perfectionism despite whatever accomplishments you have already achieved. But be warned, your appetite may increase to alarmingly unhealthy levels after watching the show as both the main characters have an appetite that may or may not be the cause of world hunger.

The series showcases so many real-world issues such as emotional turmoil, decisions regarding one’s life path and how these decisions may affect one’s identity, and of course, the ups and downs of relationships. The show is an eccentric and quirky take on the struggle of a single mother to raise her daughter on her own despite her parent’s unimaginable wealth and disappointment that she did not end up the DAR-loving socialite that is customary for those raised in this lavish lifestyle, while also offering viewers an inside look at crazy, wonderful and irksome small town life. You will search endlessly for a diner run by a grumpy man in a backwards baseball cap and be disappointed that your best friend is neither a world-renowned chef nor the drummer in a rock band whose mother is a devout, no-nonsense Christian. This show is a timeless classic that will make you feel old and nostalgic every time you hear the theme song, which is undeniably one of the greatest “best friend” songs ever written. So do yourself a favor this summer, sit down, relax, and start watching Gilmore Girls, because I cannot think of a better show to watch in your spare time. If you don’t believe me, then I just want to point out that I named my dog after Rory; if that is not a testament to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s utter genius, then I don’t know what is.