I've been watching "The Office" a lot lately. Seriously, an absurd amount. There's no doubt I got into the show later than most (it ended three years ago), but better late than never! Aside from the fact that I think it's just a great show in general, I have been astounded by how much a 30-minute comedy can make you feel invested in its characters.
Two fan favorites are Jim and Pam, the office couple. They arguably have the best chemistry of anyone in all nine seasons of the show, and they become a dream couple that many would love to imitate in real life.
However, it wasn't always like that. In the first few seasons, Jim and Pam were not together, even though for the longest time, they clearly were interested in one another. Pam was engaged for a while, but called off the wedding because of Jim. Still, they did not start seeing each other. In fact, after that, they both kept trying to see other people, and intentionally/unintentionally hurt each other repeatedly.
So why does this matter? Why am I telling you about some couple on a popular television show?
Well, I have started to take a lesson from those early seasons. All those times where there was no communication between two people who needed to just say how they felt. All of that sadness, for all of that time, it makes me think. So much time is lost when we fail to communicate. We get caught up in our hectic lives, and we forget to show love to those closest to us. Better late than never; here we go.
To my parents: I love you guys. I really do. You have given me everything I need to be successful in life, and I thank you for all of your sacrifices. All I hope to do is make you proud, and maybe I'll cook you a meal sometime.
To my friends: Especially to you guys and gals that went to other schools this year, it's been weird not passing everyone in the same halls at the same times every day. I can't wait to see you all when we get out of school. I treasure and value all of my friendships. Please know I have thought about and missed all of you. I wish you all the best and most successful lives.
To Emily: We're really coming up on three years? Wow. Words can't even describe how thankful I am to have you. You've kept me smiling every day, for over a thousand days. That's a bunch of smiles. I want a thousand more, show me where I sign up. I love you.
P.S. Without your Netflix account, this article wouldn't be possible.
To everyone else: If you're reading this, I care about you. I don't care if I've never even met you, you are an important person and I want nothing but the best for you. If my other family members are reading, I think about you guys, too. I know a lot of us don't live too close together, but I hope life treats you well every single day.
I know it's a comedy, and I know it's just a show, but "The Office" contains real human elements in the writing and acting. And if it can remind me to tell those I care about that I care about them, maybe it can do the same for someone else. Maybe it can make someone smile, and that's all I want.
