We want 'Doll & Em' to be something we're proud of. We'd love to

"We want 'Doll & Em' to be something we're proud of. We'd love to do another series, but it's not the be-all and end-all. Our friendship is the be-all and end-all." These words from Dolly Wells speak with a profound clarity about the nature of friendship and the priorities that shape our lives. In this world, where so many seek fame, recognition, or achievement as the ultimate goals of their existence, Wells reminds us that there is a greater bond that transcends even the most coveted success—a bond that is not found in accolades, but in the quiet, sacred connection of true companionship. Here, she reveals that while creative endeavors such as 'Doll & Em' hold value, it is the friendship she shares with her co-creator that is the foundation upon which everything else stands.

This statement strikes at the heart of a deep truth: success and achievement are fleeting, but friendship is enduring. In ancient times, it was the bond of friendship that held societies together, that formed the very foundation of human relationships. Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, though filled with epic battles and heroic deeds, are also profound reflections on the friendships and alliances that shape the lives of great men. Achilles and Patroclus, for example, are bound together not only by bloodshed and warfare, but by the sacred and indomitable bond of friendship. Their friendship becomes the very heart of Achilles' journey, driving him to acts of unparalleled courage and, ultimately, to a tragic and profound understanding of his own humanity.

In the case of Dolly Wells and her creative partner, Emmy the friendship they share is the bedrock of their work. It is not merely the success of their television series that they treasure, but the mutual respect, the shared vision, and the joy that comes from creating together. The story of Doll & Em is not just the story of two women working on a project; it is the story of two friends whose bond has allowed them to create something meaningful. It is in the safe, supportive space of friendship that they are able to explore, create, and express themselves fully. Through this, they show that the highest form of creative success is not in recognition but in the process—in the partnership that nourishes the spirit and in the trust that is cultivated between souls.

Consider the example of Socrates and Plato—two of the greatest minds in the history of the world, whose intellectual achievements have shaped the very foundation of Western philosophy. Yet, it was their friendship that was the most important part of their work together. Plato, despite being a student of Socrates, often spoke of how Socrates' friendship taught him not just about philosophy, but about life itself. Their dialogues were not just intellectual exercises; they were a deep exchange of souls, a sharing of wisdom and understanding that went beyond mere words. In this friendship, Plato found his voice and his path, and in their partnership, they both found a strength that sustained them even in the darkest moments of their lives.

In the same vein, Dolly Wells and her creative partner have found in their friendship a source of strength that surpasses the limits of their work. It is not the number of series they produce or the acclaim they receive that defines their bond, but the shared understanding that their relationship is the most important thing. This understanding allows them to approach their work not with the weight of expectation, but with the lightness of joy and authenticity. Friendship, in this sense, is not a simple connection; it is a sacred bond that transforms every part of their lives, including their creative endeavors.

Wells' words offer a powerful lesson for us all. Success in this world often measures what we have achieved, how much we have gained, or the recognition we receive. But, as she so clearly states, it is friendship—the deep, unwavering bond between people—that should be the true measure of our lives. The lesson is that friendship is not something that can be measured in external terms; it is found in the depth of our connections, in the trust we place in one another, and in the joy that comes from shared experience. When we value our friendships as the highest form of achievement, we shift our focus from the fleeting to the eternal. Friendship is the be-all and end-all because it is the one thing that remains constant, a wellspring of meaning and fulfillment.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: what do we treasure most? Is it the pursuit of external success that drives us, or is it the relationships that shape us? Like Wells, we must learn to place friendship at the center of our lives. We must cultivate these deep bonds, invest in them with our time, our love, and our attention, and allow them to be the foundation of everything we do. Friendship, after all, is the force that sustains us in the good times and the bad, and it is the true treasure we carry with us throughout our lives.

Let us remember, then, that the most important thing we can achieve is not fame, nor wealth, nor the fleeting accolades of success. It is friendship. Let us nurture our relationships, for they are the true measure of a life well lived. And may we, like Dolly Wells and her creative partner, always place our friendships at the heart of all we do, knowing that it is in the company of those we love that we find our deepest purpose and greatest joy.