My favorite television show of all time is The West Wing. If you don’t already know this, then we need to talk. Are we even friends?

My love for The West Wing knows no bounds. I quote the show every chance I get (“Decisions are made by those who show up!”), my most used GIF is the one of Toby yelling, “Ginger, get the popcorn,” I know all the words to “The Jackal” (it’s a real song), and C.J. Cregg is my spirit animal. I’ve watched the series no less than 10 times all the way through, Aaron Sorkin is a freaking genius, and I will fight you if you tell me Leo McGarry is soft.

In such a fictional setting, I found reality and life lessons I apply to this day. The West Wing is what I wish Washington, D.C., was. People working for the greater good of the American people. People in high-ranking government positions are relatable to everyday people in their struggles. And in the end, people genuinely cared for each other and fought for integrity and respect.

Oh, how we would all have so much more confidence in our government if Jed Barlet and Leo ran the country.

Ask me my top five episodes, and you’ll get 1) “Two Cathedrals” (seriously, I cry my eyes out every time), 2) “In Excelsis Deo” (seriously, I cry my eyes out every time), 3) “The Crackpot and These Women” (I laugh so hard I cry every time), 4) “Indians in the Lobby” (seriously, I cry my eyes out every time AND I laugh so hard I cry every time), and 4) “Tomorrow” (seriously, I cry my eyes out every time). 

When I’m in the TWW universe, I’m in the America I’ve dreamed of. My favorite holiday is the Fourth of July (more on that another time), and I watch “Isaac and Ishmael” every July 4. Rob Lowe and I have this Twitter thing going on. Not sure if he just likes my tweet every year or if he’s correlated that it’s an annual thing, but I share the quote below on Twitter. He’s liked my tweet every year since 2015.

“Nobody got hurt at the Boston Tea Party. The only people that got hurt was some fancy boys who didn’t have anything to wash down their crumpets with. We jumped out from behind bushes, while the British came down the road in their bright red jackets, but never has a war been so courteously declared. It was on parchment with calligraphy and “Your highness, we beseech you on this day in Philadelphia to bite me, if you please.”

Sam Seaborn

I wish I had the wit of C.J., the demeanor of Leo, the wisdom of President Barlet, the drive of Josh Lyman, the verbosity of Sam, the directness of Abbey, and the quips of Mrs. Landingham. I already have the curmudgeoness of Toby and the Southern draw of Ainsley, so at least I have that going for me. They gave us a view of what America could be. An America where we’re respected as an international partner. An America where our President’s opinion being challenged is the norm, not a firing offense. An America where we genuinely care for others. 

I’d like to think Sam became President. C.J. and Danny retired to southern California, kids in tow. Josh finally overcame the demons AND married Donna (am I right?!). And Charlie uses the Paul Revere knife every Thanksgiving, not long after calling the Butterball hotline to ensure you’re still supposed to cook the stuffing inside the bird to 165 degrees. For the record, this Southern girl will tell you that dressing (cornbread dressing, in fact) is the only way to go, but as a New Englander now, I may have to give this stuffing thing a try.

I’ve learned about managing relationships from Leo, dealing with the press from C.J., and being encouraged to get back into therapy by Josh (Lyman’s Lemons forever!). I know the kind of leader I want to be because of Jed Bartlet. The West Wing may be a fictional place, but it’s message is one the world needs now more than ever.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful individuals can change the world.”