For nine seasons, The Office made TV viewers across the world laugh, cry, and feel the heartache of their favorite characters. Easily one of the best-loved sitcoms of all time, The Office gave its audience endless quotable moments. Loving each other more than Stanley loves Pretzel Day, it also gave us couples that set a standard for what it means to say “I love you” to someone who’s no longer just a coworker.
No matter how long it took for these meaningful words to first be uttered, these power couples put their hearts on the line to get the ones they wanted. From dramatic to epic and everything in between, these Scranton branch admissions show a love story of every kind.
Ryan Howard & Kelly Kapoor: Season 8, Episode 21 “Angry Andy”
Not quite the fairytale romance for the books, Ryan (B.J. Novak) and Kelly (Mindy Kaling) is a consistent hot mess. Kelly, a hopeless romantic, stays in the toxic relationship because she wants to get married and have babies. After what seems to be their final break-up with Kelly happily dating Ravi (Sendhil Ramamurthy), Ryan admits his love for Kelly…kind of. He says, “I am in love with Kelly Kapoor. And I don’t know how I’m going to feel tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. But I do know that right here right now, all I can think about is spending the rest of my life with her. Again, that could change.” He gives another version of this directly to Kelly while he sits atop a white horse in what appears to be traditional Indian dress. Smartly, Kelly declines his offer of love and remains with Ravi.
When the two depart the show after season 8, it appeared their relationship was closed and the back and forth had finally run its course. Dwight and Angela’s wedding reunites the Scranton branch, including Ryan and Kelly. They end up ditching Ryan’s baby with Ravi and run away together, cheering that they finally mastered commitment (clearly not). This couple’s “I love you” mirrors a teenage-type love where maturity and logic aren’t the driving force.
Andy Bernard & Erin Hannon: Season 8, Episode 19 “Get the Girl”
Another on-and-off relationship from Dunder Mifflin is that of Andy (Ed Helms) and Erin (Ellie Kemper). The two began dating in season 6 but by the beginning of the next season, they are over. Erin dates Gabe (Zach Woods), who she publicly dumps at Michael’s last Dundies, and is still rejected by Andy. They seem to awkwardly navigate their way through working together until Erin elects to go for the Sabre store launch and not return. In true dramatic fashion, Andy drives down to Tallahassee and confess his love, “I’m here to take you back to Scranton because I love you and want to be with you.” After multiple conversations and Erin rejecting his offer, Andy apologizes, “I’m so sorry that we have not loved each other at the same time.” As Andy drives away, Erin runs up to the wrong Prius shouting, “Andy, don’t go. I love you!”
Andy’s mission to win back Erin was admirable. The tension and unresolved feelings for one another went on for a while. The reason this ranks lower compared to the power couples of Dunder Mifflin is that the pair’s relationship fell apart once again and for good. Andy was an absent boyfriend after his family’s marital and financial turmoil. He ignored Erin when their relationship was tested. It sent Erin into the arms of Pete (Jake Lacy) and the two mirrored an early Jim and Pam-esque relationship.
Jim Halpert & Pam Beesly: Season 2 Episode 22 “Casino Night” & Season 5, Episode 15 “Stress Relief Pt. 2”
Fans of this couple waited three full seasons before Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) started dating. Jim’s confession of his love for Pam came earlier though. He catches Pam outside the casino night, saying, “I’m in love with you. I’m really sorry if that’s weird for you to hear, but I needed you to hear it.” Pam, conflicted, ultimately does not choose Jim that night. Audiences learn at the beginning of season 3 that Pam called off her engagement and is living independently while Jim dates Karen (Rashida Jones). The tension between the fan favorites after Jim’s return from Stamford culminates into Jim breaking up with Karen and dating Pam. Newly engaged in season 5, Pam’s profession of her love came after her parents separated and she realizes how special her relationship with Jim is, admitting, “When you’re a kid, you assume your parents are soulmates. My kids are gonna be right about that.”
Jim and Pam are the perfect ‘The Office’ rollercoaster through all nine seasons. Their “I love you’s” fall into the middle of the pack because of the time it took to build an actual relationship. The two needed to not be in love at the same time to truly recognize the potential of their life together. Had the two remained friends for longer before confronting their emotions, the “I love you” would have come with a higher intensity like it did for other couples at Dunder Mifflin.
Michael Scott & Holly Flax: Season 7, Episode 16 “PDA”
This couple’s reciprocating “I love you” was 7 seasons in the making. When Holly (Amy Ryan) is transferred back to her Nashua branch, their breakup sticks with Michael (Steve Carell) for the remainder of season 5. Thanks to the Scranton Strangler and Toby’s (Paul Lieberstein) subsequent jury duty, Holly is transferred back to the office. The couple finally rekindles their odd-ball love a few episodes after Holly breaks off her relationship with A.J. (Rob Huebel). In standard ‘The Office’ style, the pair are reprimanded for their newfound PDA in a conference room meeting. Post-meeting, Michael blurts out that they are two people in love on Valentine’s Day. Holly questions his definition of “love,” and he replies, “Love you, love you.” Then finally the moment audiences and Michael Scott had been waiting for, Holly confirms, “I love you, love you.” This confession of love manifests into a marriage proposal and Michael’s exit from Dunder Mifflin.
This duo’s “I love you” is the most meaningful given the heartache Michael went through. Michael’s hopes for true love and a relationship that would make him a husband and father were dashed multiple times by various women. Dunder Mifflin Scranton’s fearless leader had sacrificed a lot for the company, including the love of his life. These characters are the same person in different bodies and audiences were able to see that from the moment Holly first arrived. When he is finally able to tell Holly her loves her and hears it back, the weight of Michael’s longing for passion and true love finally disappears. He finally got the girl he deserved all along.
Dwight Schrute & Angela Martin: Season 9, Episode 21 “Livin’ the Dream” & Season 9, Episode 23 “A.A.R.M Pt. 2”
For the entirety of The Office, these two opposites attracted and kept a secret relationship. Dwight’s (Rainn Wilson) first “I love you” came in season 4 after Angela (Angela Kinsey) calls off their relationship. The two enter multiple friends-with-benefits scenarios and contractual agreements. Following Angela’s divorce from Senator Lipton (Jack Coleman), she hits an all-time low while Dwight rises to a new high as regional manager. In an emotional moment with Oscar (Oscar Nuñez), Angela confesses, “I love him. No, not the senator. I love Dwight.” Audiences wouldn’t wait long for Dwight to proclaim his love for her one final time. Roadside and screaming through a bullhorn, Dwight announces, “Shut up, woman! Listen to me, I love you. And I don’t care that Phillip’s not my son. I will raise a hundred children with a hundred of your lovers if it means I can be with you.”
At the eleventh hour, Dwight and Angela finally accept the relationship from each other they deserve. This final “I love you” of Dunder Mifflin tops all others. The pair get it right after years of tiptoeing around that they are meant for each other. Through a failed engagement and marriage, Dwight is still there for his Monkey even though she refuses to commit to him. After his marriage proposal, Angela finally reveals that Phillip is indeed Dwight’s son and that she wanted the beet farmer to be with her because he loved her, not just because of their child. The series ends with their wedding, and all seems right in the world. Dwight and Angela are two people whose personalities clash, but they accept and love each other for it anyway, making their final admissions the most epic “I love you” of all.
Read Next
About The Author
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest TV News Click Here
