As someone who is a self-diagnosed “Friends Addict”, this upcoming Friends Reunion was a rollercoaster of emotions. From smiles to anger, to forgiveness and tears, it was like watching the series all over again in a span of a day.

When it was first released that Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courtney Cox (Monica Geller), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing), and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller) would be returning in a reunion show the Internet exploded. The world was ecstatic and everyone who was anyone began to comment on how amazing this was going to be. I could not hit the share button fast enough (and like a lot of other people, before reading the actual article). Having just finished re-watching the entire Friends series on Netflix the night before, it felt as though the Sitcom Gods had heard my tearful wish, “PLEASE JUST ONE MORE EPISODE!!”. I felt as though I had waited my whole life for this moment. It was a Chandler Dance Moment, for sure.

But as more information came out about the fabled reunion, it turns out it wasn’t the show everyone had hoped for. The show labeled as a “Friends Reunion” was no more than a TV special dedicated to Friends director James Burrows who recently directed his 1,000th episode of television.

I came to terms with fact that this wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for I realized it still was all my favorite actors in the same room, at the same time, on the same show! I was sure there would be laughs, memories shared, sarcastic comments, and tears shed, so that is basically a Friends episode right? WRONG.

Matthew Perry, the one and only Chandler Bing, would not be in the show. And that my friends is the moment all of my hope in the special was lost. Matthew Perry explained the situation while doing an interview on “The Graham Norton Show”. He said that he would be introducing the other five Friends stars, who would be there in person, from London as he was busy in rehearsals for his London play The End of Longing.

Once we can regain our composure after riding the rollercoaster of Friends once again, we can begin looking to the future. I have high hopes that the Friends Reunion Special we all want will one day happen. We will get to see what 12-year-old Jack and Erica Bing look like now. If Janice Hosenstien ever showed up again. If Gunther ever got over Rachel. If Phoebe ever had kids of her own. If Joey is still living with Monica and Chandler. And most importantly, what happened with Rachel and Ross.

I can picture it now… and it IS everything we have been waiting for.