Everybody grows up, everybody matures, everybody moves on. Rarely is anything static in life because life changes so much. Even the politically liberal, who welcome change in the sphere of government, may not like it in their own lives. But the point that Friends so aptly drove home was that twentysomethings eventually turn into thirtysomethings. And thirtysomethings tend not to live in communes - they marry, they move, they may have kids, and they take on greater responsibilities.

And perhaps that is what was so painful - the characters whose lives we followed for ten years had grown up. They weren't 24 anymore, like I was when the sitcom debuted in 1994. They were in their early to mid 30s. It was time to move on. And moving on can cause stress and be a source of pain.

I learned this on a grand scale at the age of 28 when I got married and moved to England to be with my wife. I didn't think I could ever get over having left my home and neighborhood of the previous 27 years. But now, I have come to think of this "flat" as home - and it is. And here's the thing: My wife first moved here in 1994 when Friends was young and alive and purported to speak for Generation X.

And what really occurred to me is that, while the "friends" all left their apartment in these days of 2004, we continue to live here. There is no foreseeable change in living arrangements for us, at least not in the near future. My wife has enjoyed ten years in this apartment and will likely enjoy ten, if not more, years here. So will I.

We need to get over the end of Friends and just know that the characters will be happy. Ross got Rachel, finally. Chandler and Monica have a nice suburban house and twins. Phoebe’s married to Mike, and they will have a fulfilled life together. Joey will move to L.A. and get his acting career going full-speed ahead.

Change can be good. It all comes down to how we deal with it. For those that we see on television are not real. But, in a small, ethereal way, they do mirror our own lives, hence a part of the pain, but also part of the joy, of seeing Friends come to a close.