When it comes to any successful TV series, there is typically certain elements that stand out from the crowd and also stand the test of time. Sometimes it's specific characters, sometimes it's specific storylines, and sometimes it's specific couples. And when anyone thinks of the hit NBC sitcom The Office and couples, Jim and Pam are what instantly come to mind.
Their relationship was in large part the true heart of the series, and it's hard to think of a coupling that had fans more invested and enthralled than "Jam". Their relationship had it's highs and lows, but pretty much from the pilot episode it was clear that they were meant to be together, and throughout the series they both proved their love to one another a dozen times over. So here are the 5 best things that Jim did for Pam, and the 5 best things she did for him.
Jim Giving Pam The Teapot
Jim spent literal years pining for Pam while she was still stuck in her relationship with Roy, and although the pair was still undeniably close, Jim had to take his opportunities to show his devotion to Pam whenever he could find them. One of his most blatant displays of affection was when he scored Pam as his Secret Santa gift receiver. Jim got Pam a teapot that she had been longing for, but because he's Jim and she's Pam, he stuffed the teapot with a bunch of inside jokes and meaningful mementos that symbolized their relationship up to that point.
Pam Trading An IPod For The Teapot
Jim was understandably stoked to have an excuse to buy Pam a gift for Christmas, but Michael unsurprisingly decided to screw up Jim's flawless plans when he bought Ryan an iPod and changed their Secret Santa gift exchange into a Yankee swap.
Everyone of course wanted the iPod, and initially it seemed like Pam was going to be the lucky winner of the most expensive gift at the swap. But after seeing how bummed Jim was that Pam wouldn't receive his present, she decided to trade the hundreds of dollars worth of electronics for Jim's present, and she didn't seem to regret making the trade.
Jim Telling Pam He's In Love With Her
The will-they won't-they drama of Jim and Pam took literal years to resolve, and the entire audience of The Office watched with bated breath, hoping that they would finally get together. And at the end of the second season, their relationship took a huge leap forward when Jim finally told Pam how he really felt. Because a good TV ship is nothing without a little heartbreak, Pam turned Jim down, but seeing how completely vulnerable and honest he was with her even when he knew it would likely result in nothing was one of the most memorable and emotional moments of the entire series.
Pam's Day Of Phone Calls
In one unique episode of The Office, Michael decides to commandeer Jim's desk for the day after he finds a smelly and repulsive "gift" left on his office floor, courtesy of the even more repulsive Todd Packer. And of course, he does this on Pam's first day back from vacation. Jim is relegated to the office annex for the entire episode, with no opportunities to catch up with Pam. Or, so it seemed. Jim checks his office voicemail before he leaves for the day, and finds that Pam has spent pretty much her entire day calling him and leaving him messages.
Jim Turning Down His Job At Corporate
Jim Halpert was always one of the best Dunder Mifflin employees who put in the least amount of work, but after undergoing some life changes it seemed like he was finally ready to work to his fullest potential. Or at least to a little more of his potential.
After leaving for Stamford and returning to Scranton, Jim throws his hat in the ring for a job at Dunder Mifflin's corporate office. He seems like a shoo-in for the gig, but once he sees that Pam has left him a note in his paperwork, he decides to turn down the job and goes back to Scranton to finally be with Pam.
Pam Making Jim A Comic
Sometimes it seems like in the relationship between Jim and Pam, Jim is a little bit more in love with Pam than she is with Jim. However, anyone who doubts Pam's devotion to Jim hasn't seen the episode "Classy Christmas", in which Pam gifts Jim with a comic book where Jim is actually the star and superhero. Pam put an enormous amount of work into the project to be sure, but what makes this such a sweet and meaningful gift is that it really shows how Pam sees Jim. He might be a paper salesman by day, but he's Pam's literal hero by night.
Jim Buying A House
Let's be clear. In the real world, any couple who is planning on investing in a home should make that decision together. However in the world of TV, Jim's decision to buy a house for Pam is one of the sweetest moments throughout their entire relationship. Jim is a successful salesman, but he's not exactly rolling in the dough, so when the opportunity to buy his own family home in order to start a family with Pam came up, he took the opportunity. It was a sweet thing to do, but what really made it so lovely was that it was just another instance of Jim's completely unfailing faith in his and Pam's future together.
Pam's Speech To Jim On The Beach
Thankfully now that The Office is over and ripe for rewatching the world doesn't have to wait for years in order to see Pam and Jim's relationship develop in real-time, but the actual year that ed between Jim's declaration of love to Pam and Pam's declaration of love to Jim was excruciating.
After years of pent up tension, Pam finally says what everyone already knew, that she dumped Roy because of Jim. But what she said was so exceptionally touching because Pam didn't just love Jim, Jim gave Pam a reason to want better for herself, which she never wanted until she met him.
Jim ing Pam's Art School Dreams
Pam spent years languishing as a receptionist at Dunder Mifflin without ever pursuing her dreams as an artist. Jim always encouraged her, but before she was actually with him she didn't dare attempt to make her dreams come true. But even though Jim obviously wanted Pam around 24/7, he was more than thrilled to sacrifice his time and his relationship with her in order for her to go to art school in New York. Pam ultimately decided against completing art school, but being with someone who tries to make your dreams into a reality is what everyone in the world wants.
Pam ing Jim's Athlead Dreams
Both Jim and Pam were people who seemed to hate their jobs and were clearly capable of more, but they only took the leaps to follow their dreams once they were together. And honestly, Jim's dreams of working as a professional sports marketer was pretty lofty, not to mention that the Halpert family couldn't really afford the time or financial investment that Jim's startup company required. But Pam was willing to make a lot of sacrifices to give Jim this opportunity. Luckily for them the risk totally paid off, but it meant a lot that Pam was willing to bet the farm on Jim's abilities.