I'll Be There For You.

Totally had this poster in my bedroom in junior high...

Oh, I went there. I'm doing it. I'm posting about Friends. I mean, I have to. Friends is my all time, hands down, 100%, no doubt about it, FAVORITE show Of. All. Time. So since everyone is commemorating the fact that the show first aired 20 years ago this week, I have to jump on the bandwagon. Sorry not sorry.

Friends is one of those shows that relates to literally everything that happens in life. I'm not kidding. Almost every day something happens where I want to say "Hey, do you remember the episode where blah blah blah....". I say I want to say, because I learned awhile ago that no, my husband doesn't remember that episode, and no, he doesn't think it's hilarious, nor does he care. I made him watch all 10 seasons of Friends on DVD with me not long after we got together. I was smart, because only in the beginning of a relationship would a guy willingly watch 10 seasons of any show that isn't violent and/or extremely sexual. But even though he watched it and did in fact think that it was a good show, he somehow doesn't think it's hilarious to constantly reminisce about it.

I do.

Friends is one of the only consistent things that has been in my life for the past 20 years. And no, I don't think that's sad. It's one of the only shows that I will watch any time it comes on, no matter how many times I've seen that particular episode. I would say it's a safe bet that I've seen every single episode at least 10 times at this point. Again, not sad. Awesome.

Friends has been there for me through good times and bad. It taught me so much. Yes it did, shut up.

It taught me about true friendship. It taught me that sometimes friends can be more like family, and sometimes even more important in your life than your own family. It taught me that everyone goes through an awkward phase, even if they end up as gorgeous as Rachel Green someday. It taught me that sometimes two people belong together and that no matter what, they will end up together...because they are each others lobster, obviously. It taught me that living in New York as a struggling actor with no actual job is not only doable, but that you can live in a spacious apartment in a safe area, too!

Wait, that one wasn't true?

But seriously. I have so many ridiculous memories that include this show. I remember the first time I ever saw it, which was a few episodes into the first season. I saw them all jumping around in the water fountain and was instantly intrigued. I was 9 years old, but for some reason I was totally hooked. And as crazy strict as my parents were, they never told me I couldn't watch it.

I remember sitting on the edge of my bed, watching my little TV in my bedroom, and jumping up and down with tears in my eyes the first time Ross and Rachel kissed. I was like 10 years old, don't judge.

I remember gathering at my friend's apartment the night the final episode aired, feeling like one of my best friends was leaving forever. I'm pretty sure I cried then, too.

I remember forcing a guy I was dating to watch episodes with me, and the look of amusement he had on his face when he said, "You know, you don't have to laugh at every single joke. It's not THAT funny." That should have been my first sign to GET OUT of that relationship.

I will forever be grateful to this amazing show, and the amazing actors who played their roles so well. Knowing that every Thursday night I could tune in and forget about everything for 30 minutes got me through some seriously dark times in high school. It's amazing what an escape like television can do for the soul. I am forever a TV junkie, thanks in no small part to Friends.

So today I remember the best show of all time, and everything that it's meant to me over the years. Friends has stuck around a lot longer than most of the actual friends I had when I was nine, so maybe that's why it holds such a special place in my heart. I heart Friends. Forever. The end.