Life Lessons Gilmore Girls Taught Us

Once I discovered that the rumors of the Gilmore Girls return were true, I quickly devised a plan. Stubbornly, I decided to re-watch the series I grew up for the third time, all thanks to Netflix, our dear binge-watching enabler. Last night I found myself watching episode #153 as if it were the first time, and I loved every minute of Lorelai’s antics, Emily’s annoying comments and Richard’s fatherly ways, which never fail to remind me of my own father. Like always, I found myself hiding my nostalgic tears and sniffles from my mom who always pokes fun at me about it. This time around, not only did I find out Lorelai was my father’s  celebrity crush (followed by Sandra Bullock), but that there were several things I’ve learned from my favorite girls from Stars Hollow.

1. Don’t overthink

Rory thought things over way too much, which led her to not only lose the fellowship to work at the New York Times, but lost her other job opportunities. Also, when Logan proposed to her, she thought about it so much that she psyched herself out.

2. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, but they can wind up being better.

After years of planning her future as a Harvard collegiate, Rory found herself deciding between this and aother Ivy League school: Yale. Granted, it was her grandparents who provoked her indecision, but Rory wound up walking freshman year into Yale campus. At Yale she loved every second of it: the finals, the amazing professors, being editor at the Daily News, enjoyed her time with Paris and met what some will think (myself included) is her soulmate, Logan.

3. People may surprise you, after all

Let’s compare the first and last episode in regards to Friday Night Dinners at the Gilmore Household. At first, Lorelai resented and hated every minute of the dinner and had to spend the following week detoxing from Emily’s smug and degrading comments. Nevertheless, at the last episode when Emily scrambled for another excuse to keep her daughter’s company, Lorelai just smiled and said, “Why don’t we discuss that at Friday night dinner?” Even if you get on each other’s nerves, the love will always be there in a way.

And, of course, Jess was also full of surprises. The first hundred times we saw him he was a hot mess, grumpier than Luke and very unstable. Fast-forward when Rory’s in Yale and he publishes his first book and then opens up a sort of book store. Talk about change!

4. Don’t get with a married man

Don’t ever. Even if it’s Jared Padalecki. It’s never justified and he won’t leave his wife for you; you’re not Anne Boleyn.

5. The men in your life will always be there

They’re there, always watching over you. Christopher came into Rory’s life and always supported her, annoyed her like a father would and even got a little jealous of Lorelai’s importance. Luke has been more of a father figure than Chris and, once you ignore his grumpiness, his attention to detail and how he always does things for Rory shows how much he loves her and he loves to see Lorelai happy. Last but not least, there’s Richard. He’s always tried to side with Lorelai ever since their perfect world turned upside down when she got pregnant at sixteen. However, he defended her as much as possible from Emily’s antics up until the end. His relationship with Rory is enviable at best and he reminds me of my own father so much it’s comical. I think that Richard’s absence is what is going to keep us die-hard fans blubbering like babies.

6. Coffee. Is. Life.

We need coffee as much as we need oxygen and I have Lorelai Gilmore to thank for that. As a plus, it’s an excellent excuse to meet up with friends and catch up.

7. Blood is thicker than water

I think that Family is the central theme of Gilmore Girls. Similar to us Puerto Ricans, the people of Stars Hollow not only have an energy and vibrant personality, but were also  the family that took young Lorelai in when her real one made her feel like a prisoner. Rory was amazingly lucky to have all these people as her family: her neighbors, her grandparents, and her BFF’s Lane and Paris. In the end, although not one of these families is perfect, it teaches us that being perfect is not that important, it’s the love that matters.

8. Sometimes snark is the best response to stupid people

Let’s admit it, Michel is our spirit animal.

9. And endless amount of witty comebacks

The endless references to books, artists and movies that the girls made left its mark in me. If I’m going to be drop-dead honest, Rory inspired me in every way to be the bookworm I am today. If I already had this book-loving gene in me, then she enhanced it. Hopefully, someday I will read those insane authors that she loves. For now I’m stuck on Fitzpatrick. Also thanks to the Gilmores I learned my favorite word: naiveté.

10. If you’re out on the road

Feeling lonely, and so cold

All you have to do is call my name

And I’ll be there on the next train

This is what family and love is, even if you have to stop watching Netflix on your couch to help a friend, you do it because of love. Thanks to this, I’ve learned to be more thoughtful even if it doesn’t always show. Gilmore Girls has taught me to always let know the people I care about that I care about them.

Let’s reminisce and perhaps watch it all over again while we anxiously wait for November 25, a date highlighted in our calendars.

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