Even though Laverne and Shirley were always, like, submitting

Hear the words of Jessica St. Clair, spoken with warmth and laughter, yet carrying a truth as deep as any carved in stone: “Even though Laverne and Shirley were always, like, submitting themselves for medical testing and falling asleep on a date or whatever, they always had each other's back.” At first, this may sound like jest, a playful nod to the misadventures of two beloved characters from television. Yet within the humor lies a timeless truth about friendship—that even when life is filled with mistakes, embarrassments, and trials, the bond of loyalty is the anchor that steadies the soul.

The origin of this saying lies in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley, which ran through the late 1970s and early 1980s. It told the story of two working-class women navigating the ups and downs of life in Milwaukee. They stumbled, they laughed, they faced absurdities and humiliations, from awkward romances to bizarre jobs. But what gave the show its heart was not the comedy alone, but the steadfastness of their companionship. No matter how foolish the circumstance, Laverne and Shirley always had each other’s back. In their story, St. Clair sees not merely entertainment, but an image of true devotion between friends.

The ancients, too, sang the praises of such loyalty. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the king is transformed not by glory or conquest, but by his friendship with Enkidu. Together they faced monsters, and together they celebrated victories. When Enkidu fell, Gilgamesh learned that friendship is not only joy but also grief—the kind of grief that proves how deeply love has taken root. So too, St. Clair reminds us that whether in comedy or tragedy, the highest virtue of companionship is to stand unyielding when another falters.

Consider the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Helen, blind and deaf from early childhood, lived in darkness and silence. Yet Anne, her teacher and companion, devoted her life to opening the world of language and knowledge to her. Through patience, sacrifice, and relentless support, Anne became Helen’s bridge to humanity. Though their circumstances were more grave than the misadventures of television characters, the principle is the same: one soul standing by another, no matter the strangeness or difficulty of the journey.

The meaning of St. Clair’s words is that the circumstances of life may be absurd, but loyalty is sacred. Whether one is “falling asleep on a date” or enduring something far weightier, what matters is not the trial itself but the presence of a companion who does not abandon. Such bonds elevate human life above mere survival. They make burdens bearable and joys more radiant. Without them, even the greatest victories are hollow; with them, even failures can become stories of love and laughter.

The lesson for us is clear: we must cultivate and honor these friendships. Do not measure their worth by whether life is grand or smooth, but by whether loyalty endures through chaos and hardship. Be the one who answers the call at midnight, who sits beside a friend in hospital halls, who laughs with them when the world seems cruel, and who holds their hand when others turn away. For in giving this loyalty, we receive it in turn, and together we weave a shield against the loneliness of existence.

Practical action follows: tend to your friendships with care. Reach out when you are tempted to be silent. Offer help when you are tempted to turn away. Celebrate the small and silly moments, for they strengthen the bond when darker days come. And when you stumble yourself, allow others to stand for you—accept their loyalty with gratitude, for friendship is a gift that flows both ways.

Thus, the words of Jessica St. Clair remind us that even in comedy, we find wisdom: the world may laugh at our missteps, but if we have a true friend beside us, no humiliation can destroy us. Let us therefore live as Laverne and Shirley lived—not perfect, not without folly, but steadfast, loyal, and joyful in the companionship that gives meaning to all our days. This is the teaching carried through laughter, and this is the legacy we must preserve.