The year is 1994. The place is New York City. It's Friday afternoon and six people gather around a coffeehouse, sipping lattes and chatting the time away. And you find yourself on the other side of the TV screen being reeled into the lives of these 6 mid 20-year-olds, who are better known as Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, and Ross. The pilot of the comedic TV show Friends that aired on Sept. 22, 1994, would later spark one of the biggest fandoms in TV history, but even more so, allow us to intently follow the lives of these six characters, as they maneuver their way through stressful jobs, crazy siblings, and more often than not, love and heartbreak. Here's a look back at some of the laughs, tears, and lasting lessons on love we've learned from these six friends.
1. If you don't love them, don't marry them.
Leave it to Rachel to point out that her ex-fiance resembles Mr. Potato Head, but I'm sure we can all agree she's taught us the true values of being independent and making it on your own.
2. Love has no limits.
3. If you can't say how you feel, sing it.
4. The bro code is real.
That's right guys, hooking up with your best friend's girl just might get you stuck in a box for a few hours.
5. When you meet someone, try not to skim a few years off your actual age.
6. A little flirtation never hurt nobody.
7. If you want to avoid a breakup, just move to Yemen.
Just kidding, it's always better to be straight forward with the person you're dating, even if it is someone like Janice.
8. "Just friends" can turn into a whole lot more when you least expect it.
9. If you try to hide your relationship, your friends are bound to find out, and an all-out war will be waged.
10. If you do love them and decide to marry them, refrain from saying the wrong name at the alter.
11. Divorce isn't the end of the world, pick yourself back up and try again.
12. Find someone who appreciates your weird little quirks.
13. Paris is full of Gunthers.
Aren't we all glad Rachel didn't go to Paris to find out if this were actually true or not?
14. More than we'd like to admit, we've all been here, and that's okay.
15. Because despite all the nasty breakups, awkward dates, and failed marriages, you can still find your lobster.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S gave us much more than just entertainment, but rather Rachel's independence, Chandler's sarcasm, Phoebe's quirkiness, Monica's strength, Ross's geekiness, and Joey's confidence. We fell in love with these six characters as we watched them fall in and out of love. Above all else, they gave us a deeper and better meaning to the word friendship, making the entirety of the show so much more than just a 90s sitcom.
