non-reality romance

If you watched the Office last night like I did, your heart may have swelled a bit when Jim mentioned proposing to Pam. You may have gasped when he pulled out the ring and showed the camera. You might have reached over to hold your spouse's hand when he got down on one knee....to tie his shoe. Ahhhh, tv romances. I love 'em.

Why is it we get so emotionally involved with people on tv that we don't know and who aren't really those people. They are actors saying lines and kissing people who aren't their significant others? In real life we might think it adulterous, but hey, if kissing Brad Pitt were my job... Oh, back to the point. We get so wrapped up in the stories of Jim and Pam, Ross and Rachel, McDreamy and Meredith and it's like we know them.

I think many of you already know about my obsession with Friends. I have all 10 seasons on DVD and watch them regularly. I felt like I knew them, and when they left it was a loss I really felt. Pathetic, I know, but they really are 6 people I would have wanted to hang out with. But for most of the country, the topsy-turvy romance of Ross and Rachel was a big deal, and that was not the case for me. I watched for Monica and Chandler. They really were the heart of the show and it was their relationship that provided for the most maturity in the group. It was stable, based on friendship and full of compromise. We recently watched season 10 and the episodes where they are dealing with infertility are especially poignant for me.

Hmmm, other tv couples that bring back memories....

Luke and Lorelai on Gilmore Girls... why couldn't she see he was meant for her?
Dawson and Joey on Dawson's Creek...come on, Joey with Pacey? That didn't really seem right.
George Clooney and Julianna Margulies on ER (can't remember the character names)...they brought him back for the right episodes to wrap that one up.
The couple on JAG. Did they ever get together in the end? I gave up watching.
Josh and Donna on the West Wing...they drew that out over 7 seasons.
The Scarecrow and Mrs. King...one of my favs as a kid...I think they got together, then someone got shot.

I'm sure there are others that I missed. Tons in fact. I like a good romance and the suspense in a good tv show allows the chemistry to build. I think we like to live vicarously through those moments on tv where the man is dashing and charming and sweeps the girl off her feet. Or does something so amazing it takes your breath away. I always wonder if those writers go home and do the things they wrote about for their wives....I wonder?

Ok, I'm tired. Send me the names of tv couples you love. I gotta go watch the DVR from the Office again and then watch Chandler propose. Sweet dreams.