I recently just finished the popular Netflix series, “The Office” and I already miss it. I could hardly watch the episodes with my headphones out in a public area because I’d either end up laughing out loud, crying, or a mixture of both. The series has taught me a wide range of life lessons that I will carry with me long after I finally stop binge watching repeat episodes. I have watched the characters grow substantially, get married, have kids, and actually even leave Dunder Mifflin to pursue other goals and jobs. While I have loved all the characters throughout the show, my favorite two people from day one have undoubtedly been Jim Halpert and Pamela (Pam) Beesly. What first began as a work related friendship gradually grew to be one of the greatest and most realistic TV love stories I have ever witnessed. Here are reasons why Jim and Pam’s relationship is true relationship goals.
1. Their patience for each other is quite incredible
Jim was in love with Pam but Pam was engaged, then Pam broke up with her fiancee and Jim started dating new co-worker Karen. They both had to do one of the hardest things to do when it comes to love, which is to wait. Even when Jim and Pam are finally together, they are extremely patient with the other when both of them pursue other job and hobby interests.
Jim and Pam are constantly laughing together and pulling hilarious pranks on their fellow co-worker Dwight K. Schrute. When interviewed together, the two are almost always seen giggling or smiling about something.
3. They are not afraid to be themselves around each other
Whether it is bad dance moves, crying for no reason, weird Halloween costumes, or odd habits, the two are never afraid to show who they really are to each other.
4. Jim and Pam's acceptance of the other's past and mistakes
Sure they have both made mistakes in the past but the key to making their relationship work is not letting their past mistakes cause any future ones. As Pam explains to Erin about her past engagement, "It's not about who you've been with. It's about who you end up with. Sometimes the heart doesn't know what it wants until it finds what it wants."
5. Jim and Pam’s relationship is a mix of best friendship and romantic feelings.
In their relationship, they act like best friends who have a bond unlike any other. They have inside jokes and memories that are strictly between them and a love for each other that goes beyond even the romantic interest.
6. Their ability to make the best out of any unpredictable, chaotic, or messy situation
One of the best moments of the series that reflects their relationship is when Jim and Pam are in a long distance relationship and they meet halfway at a gas station to see each other. Even though it is pouring rain and in front of a gas station, Jim proposes to Pam and the moment is absolutely wonderful.
7. Jim and Pam are always there for each other
Whether it is a failed dream, parent's divorce, awkward moment, or ripped veil, they stand by each other through all of life's ugly moments and aren't afraid to face the challenges with them. Even if that means Jim cutting his tie to match Pam's ripped veil.
8. They both have their priorities straight
No matter the situation, Jim and Pam are always thinking about how their actions affect their family and each other.
9. The way they look at each other
Enough said.
10. Their ability to get through tough times together
What I found most realistic about the love between Jim and Pam in the series was the moments where they weren't always happy with each other. In many other love stories on television or in movies, the love always seems perfect and completely fairytale like. However, Jim and Pam's relationship shows the reality of love. There is one point in the series where the two are having relationship troubles for several episodes and fans were concerned these troubles would break the couple apart. However, they end up working on their issues through a marriage counselor and reminding each other how much the other means to them. This leads to them falling even more in love with each other.
Love is not always portrayed accurately in movies, books, or TV shows. It is chaotic, messy, and just a tad crazy. It is passionate, risky, and heart racing.There is nothing about it that is like the perfection in the fairytales we grew up watching. In reality, we are going to make mistakes. We are going to trip up stairs, spill coffee, and fail a few times, that's just the moments of life that are not so pretty. But when we can find someone that can laugh at all these moments with us, people who can stand by us even during these moments and say they're proud to have us, those are the type of people worth fighting for.
