So many feels. Pam’s speech alone. Verbatim, that’s what she did for me. All the awkward years, the Roys, finally enjoying a long-time best friend who shows me what a Jim could be. She provided a heroine to quiet girls in turtle-necks who would be overly polite and tiptoe around words. She made me feel okay for being awkward at 14, at 15, at 21, and taught me how to come out of my shell, little by little. She was a realistic and completely parallel character, with identity problems, confused big dreams, and a love for people, and a bigger love for laughing. Forever, she’ll be my favorite fictional character.

Anyone who knows me knows that The Office is definitely more than just a show to me. It was something I poured into when my pre-pubescent social life was moot. It was a source of cues that shaped my sense of humor during its development in high school. (Thanks Jim!) In fact, I think each person can find a little of each character in them. Just depends on the day ;)

This past year, in fact, when I was struggling and blue about whatever it was I was blue about, The Office was my only way to sleep. It definitely was my friend when silence and an empty apartment were not. And ever since, my poor roommate and boyfriend have been acquainted with the fact that it lives in my DVD player, to press play whenever I enter the apartment, just to have on in the background of my life. It’s to the point that even the people I hang out with have the dialogue memorized.

Anyway, I’ll rest my case and simply say that The Office isn’t a TV show with laughs and perverted jokes to me. It’s many things; a friend, character inspiration, romantic advice and aspirations, therapy, what have you. ETC ETC ETC!! And I’m very thankful for a great 9 years.