Welcome to The Friends Theory, where sitcom chaos sometimes makes you stop and think.

This week: anniversaries, relationships, and why Friends might actually be the best (and worst) relationship therapist around.

3-minute read. No plus one needed.

The One With 8 Years (And 8 Lessons)

Insights from “literally every season of Friends”

Eight years ago today, I said "I do." 👰 Coincidentally, there’s somewhere between 81 and 88 Friends episodes, depending on how you calculate. I’ve probably watched closer to 800.... In the spirit of all these eights, here are 8 things Friends taught us about relationships of all kinds—featuring the main six and several of their gloriously dysfunctional supporting cast.

1. Eddie, Chandler’s psychotic roommate

What it teaches: Believe the red flags.
The reality: Warning signs show up early. Pay attention… or you’ll end up at a goldfish funeral you didn’t ask for.

2. Ross made a list of Rachel’s pros and cons

What it teaches: Pros and cons are for situations, not people.
The reality: People aren’t a list of bullet points. They’re contradictions and surprises. If lists worked, Ross would’ve just married “likes dinosaurs.”

3. "How you doin’?" —Joey’s entire dating philosophy

What it teaches: Confidence works, but authenticity works better.
The reality: Joey got dates, not depth. Charm buys dinner. Substance buys breakfast.

4. Phoebe carrying her brother’s triplets

What it teaches: Love doesn’t always look balanced.
The reality: Relationships aren’t 50/50 all the time. Sometimes they’re 90/10, plus three babies.

5. Rachel leaving Barry at the altar

What it teaches: Sometimes the "safe" choice is the dangerous one.
The reality: Rachel ditched predictable misery for total uncertainty—and got a career, friends, and a life she never imagined. The leap into the unknown beats slowly suffocating in “security.”

6. Joey doesn’t share food

What it teaches: Boundaries are important.
The reality: Whether it’s fries, focus time, or emotional energy—you get to draw the line. Respect the “no,” even when it’s over cheesecake.

7. Joey and Chandler’s recliners

What it teaches: Comfort is underrated.
The reality: Not every relationship moment is fireworks. Sometimes it’s just sitting side by side, watching TV, and calling that enough.

8. "You’re high-maintenance, but I love maintaining you." —Chandler to Monica

What it teaches: Everyone requires maintenance.
The reality: Eight years in, my wife and I are both pretty demanding humans 🤣. Turns out our relationship works because we've decided each other's chaos is worth the effort.

Final Thought

Friends never pretended relationships were simple. Ross and Rachel were on and off for a decade. Monica had to learn to let people in. Chandler used jokes to dodge feelings. Joey kept mistaking “How you doin’?” for depth.

But they always showed up for each other, warts and all.

Eight years in, that’s the lesson: relationships aren’t about finding someone who doesn’t need maintenance. They’re about finding someone whose maintenance feels like love, not a chore.

And while not every episode aged like an ice-cold Sancerre—some definitely went down more like warm Chardonnay—the relationship truths underneath? Still surprisingly drinkable.

See you next Tuesday,
Lucy xx

Thanks for reading The Friends Theory. I appreciate you so much ❤️