Rachel had always thought she and Ross had the perfect love story. The push and pull, the suspense and sexual tension, the passion. Doing crazy, ridiculous things for the person you loved. Getting jealous, getting into fights and then passionately making up. Everything seen in a romance novel she and Ross had, so naturally she thought her relationship with Ross was the best, the gold standard.
Rachel was happy when Chandler and Monica got together. She thought they made a cute couple, but she never thought they were as good a couple as Rachel and Ross. No way. It was Chandler after all, how passionate could he be? They never fought for one another. They just kind of fell together in London and stayed together. No one ever had to do something ridiculous or scary to prove their love and she looked down on that.
But as she watched them together, Rachel realized how easy they fit together. She saw they were absolutely perfect for each other. He jokes way too much and she gets way too neurotic sometimes. When she gets neurotic, Chandler can calm her down in a way that no one else can. And Monica has the wit to keep up with his sarcastic remarks. They just fit. They were Monica and Chandler. They balanced each other out and evened out each other's craziness.
Monica and Chandler didn't need to fight for each other. They knew they were made for each other and worked hard every day to make sure their relationship was a success. No one ever needed to drink a cup of fat or write an 18 page letter about their relationship. Their love is simple and true.
Back when they were just friends, Monica and Chandler were still close. If Monica ever got upset about something, Chandler would sling his arm around her and whisper something in her ear that immediately calmed her down. Nobody knows what he says and nobody ever thinks to ask. It was just between them. The only difference between then and now is the affection and the way they look at each other. Chandler looks at Monica as if she is the most beautiful thing he's ever scene. Monica looks at Chandler as if there isn't anywhere else she'd rather be.
So, when her two best friends announced their engagement, Rachel was upset. She was happy they found each other after all the crap they were put through in their past love lives. She knew they were meant for each other just by the way they looked at one another. But it made her realize that she didn't have someone like that. She wanted her own Chandler. No, Rachel didn't want to date Chandler, besides he's head over heels in love with Monica. Rather, she wanted someone who loved her because of her quirks, not in spite of them. She needed someone who was interested in her and her interests and balanced out her own brand of crazy.
So now, as Rachel watched Monica and Chandler vow to love each other forever, she realizes and accepts that her and Ross did not have the perfect love story. Maybe there isn't even such a thing as a perfect love story. But if anything, Chandler and Monica come pretty damn close.
AN: I've had this written up on my phone for so long but just haven't gotten around to typing it out. But now I did! So, as always let me know what you think!