Lorelai Gilmore comes from a privileged background where she had the world at her fingertips. However, she never felt at home – or even loved — when she was with her parents. She began to lash out and spent more time with her longtime love and friend, Christopher. Things changed forever when a teenage Lorelai wounded up pregnant. She and Christopher broke up and Lorelai raised her daughter, Rory, alone.
Fast-forward to modern-day, Lorelai is thriving in Stars Hollow and winds up falling in love with her friend and coffee provider, Luke Danes. But throughout Gilmore Girls, Lorelai finds herself torn between a new life with Luke and her old life with Christopher.
Luke: Was Always There For Lorelai Without Being Asked
One of the biggest issues Lorelai had with Christopher was how flakey he was. He left her when she was pregnant and he wasn't really helpful when Lorelai was raising Rory by herself. When he wanted to be a more stable figure in Lorelai and Rory's life, he ditched them once again when Sherry wound up pregnant.
Luke, on the other hand, has always been a stable presence for Lorelai. He shows up for her without being asked, takes care of her house and car when she has problems, and was at the hospital every time her dad had health issues. Luke was the man Lorelai needed.
Christopher: Was Parent-Approved
Richard and Emily unintentionally make Lorelai's life a living hell. They treat her in a way that Lorelai has never appreciated and they've never liked any of the guys Lorelai brought around the house. Except for Christopher, that is.
They have always been fond of Christopher because he came from a good family and wealthy background like Lorelai. Whenever she was dating Christopher, her parents were always nicer to her. Being with Christopher made her life with her parents easier. As great as a man as Luke is, Richard and Emily never liked him.
Luke: Was An Honorable Family Man
Because of Lorelai's toxic childhood and rough teenage years as a single mother, a steady family life is something she longed for but was afraid to have.
Luke was the perfect choice in a partner because he valued family. While he was a man who enjoyed his alone time and was often bothered by strangers, he cared for his family members. His sister Liz has been a constant thorn in his side but he raised Jess like he was his own. And when Luke found out he had a daughter 12 years prior, he did everything he could to be involved in April's life.
He always wants to be a good role model for the youngsters in his life. Christopher is the complete opposite in this situation.
Christopher: Can Make Parenting Easier For Lorelai
Lorelai and Rory's bond is unbreakable. Even Christopher has a hard time getting in between them. However, if there was one man Lorelai would trust "raising" Rory, it would be him. As Rory's father, both Rory and Lorelai react differently to Christopher then they would another man.
Being with Christopher would also be helpful in the financial department. Once he came into money, he could have helped Lorelai and Rory in ways he never could before. If Lorelai had stuck with Chris, she also wouldn't have to rely on her parents for money.
Luke: Opposites Attract
Perhaps the one thing that keeps Lorelai and Luke together is their opposing personalities. Luke can be dry, serious, and oftentimes grumpy. Lorelai, on the other hand, is a ray of sunshine who's always talking a mile a minute and chasing her dreams.
With these two contrasting personalities, it's no wonder these two love each other so much. They teach each other things and balance each other out. He calms her down and she keeps things interesting. Lorelai and Christopher are too similar for their own good.
Christopher: Their History Is Complex
Lorelai and Christopher met each other when they were six years old. They were best friends before becoming romantically involved and were together throughout high school.
After Lorelai became pregnant, her parents wanted them to get married. Christopher agreed to do it for the better of their unborn daughter's life but Lorelai knew that wasn't realistic. But just because they didn't wed at 16 didn't mean love was lost between these two. Lorelai and Christopher will always be attached even when they're not together.
Luke: Shared The Same Love For Stars Hollow
Unless a person grew up and lived in Stars Hollow, they would never understand the special little town. It's a magical place with quirky townspeople. Everyone knows everyone's business and news gets around faster than Lorelai can talk.
Luke, Lorelai, and Rory are familiar with the way Stars Hollow works, but Christopher and the older Gilmores are another story. They never quite understood the appeal of the town or why Lorelai and Rory loved it so much. Luke, however, knew the charm Stars Hollow had and never planned on moving. Just like Lorelai.
Christopher: Understood Lorelai's "World"
As great as Luke and Lorelai were, they came from different worlds. Lorelai came from a life of wealth and prestige. That kind of lifestyle was new to Luke and he didn't respect or understand it. This put Lorelai in the middle between Luke and her parents.
However, Christopher never needed an explanation. He came from the same world and knew what was expected. He knew how to carry on a conversation, what kinds of questions to ask, and had good table manners. All of these things made Lorelai's life easier.
Luke: Was A Bigger Part Of Rory's Life
It's sad to say, but Christopher was not a present father. He was absent for most of Rory's big life moments. He wasn't there when she had her first boyfriend or for her first day of school. He didn't go to her graduation from high school, and he wasn't there when she moved into college...
But do you know who was there? Luke. He did things for Rory without being asked. He genuinely cared for her happiness and safety.
Christopher: He And Lorelai Had The Same Interests
Besides Stars Hollow and judging people, Luke and Lorelai didn't have too much in common. Christopher and Lorelai, however, did. They both had knowledge for pop culture and music, they loved going to concerts together, and they adored watching old movies. Date nights for them were easy. He always understood her wacky movie or music references whereas Luke was always confused.