The characters on Friends each underwent transformations as the show progressed, growing up in their own ways and moving forward in their careers and personal lives. Monica always maintained a career as a chef, but she had her ups and downs in the industry.
She also came to fall in love with Chandler and eventually moved with him and their newborn twins to the suburbs. Season 1 Monica compared to finale Monica are different people, and there are definitely certain things that Monica would love and hate about the things she did and didn't do in her life in the decade that Friends was on the air.
Hated: When She Slept With Ethan
Just like first season Monica, finale Monica would still hate the fact that she ever slept with Ethan. As it is, it's not a memory she'd probably like to reflect on, or even acknowledge.
Monica got major karma when she lied about her age; as it turns out, Ethan lied about his age too. Ethan, kind and polite as he was, was a mistake in her book considering she could've gotten in trouble for it, and because Ethan was really just a kid.
Proud Of: She Got Her Life Together
In Season 1's "The One With George Stephanopoulos", Monica, Phoebe and Rachel are all freaking out about the directions their lives are heading and confessing that none of them really have any plans. They're just figuring out things as they go.
Season 1 Monica would be proud that finale Monica had her life together and had a clear direction, that being that she was heading for the suburbs with her husband and their newly adopted children, and maintaining her career as a chef.
Hated: That She Lost Her Apartment
Monica's competitiveness has its pros and cons. One of the cons, however, is that she can take things too far, like the time she bet her apartment and then she and Rachel ultimately lost it to Joey and Chandler for a bit. Monica was proud of her apartment and she kept it spotless.
The apartment really was a great one and was the main hangout for everyone. Plus, Monica always loved being the hostess. Losing the apartment is probably still a sore spot for finale Monica, even though she and Rachel eventually took it back for themselves.
Proud Of: She Was Happy With Who She Was
In Season 1's "The One with the Fake Monica", Monica was shaky about who she was as a person and she wanted to change. She wanted to be more, to be someone else and went to extreme measures when she attached herself to the woman who stole her identity to do so.
By the end of the episode, she realized she could be content with who she was and try new things to mix it up, but she didn't have to start from scratch. Season 1 Monica would certainly be proud that by the finale; she'd grown more than content with who she was and embraced it.
Hated: That Her Relationship With Her Mom Didn't Really Improve
Monica's mother was always incredibly critical of her and would throw jabs her way. Remember Judy at Ross's wedding to Emily? She made constant digs at Monica concerning whether or not her daughter would ever marry. Season 1 Monica was driven crazy by her mother and even learned that Judy had been criticized by her own mother as well.
Monica asked if Judy would've wished she'd brought it up, but Judy tells her no, leaving Monica to maintain her silence about her own mother's criticism. Season 1 Monica would hate that finale Monica never got to repair things with her mother, but at least she had a great husband, group of friends and her father.
Proud Of: Got Her Dream Job
In Season 9, Monica makes a call to a headhunter to begin her search for jobs in Tulsa, intending to join Chandler there. However, she instead learns that a popular restaurant, Javu, is interested in hiring her right in New York City, and she takes that job instead.
Monica loves it from day one and is happy there. Season 1 Monica would be thrilled that Monica had come a long way in her career; Monica had certainly paid her dues working in the Moondance Diner and as a caterer, and had certainly earned her dream job.
Hated: That It Took Her So Long To Realize Chandler Was The One For Her
Season 1 Monica wanted to settle down and have a family. It was clear that that was her biggest aspiration. Monica and Chandler didn't get together until the end of Season 4, and before that, there had been hints at the chemistry between the two.
Season 1 Monica would be annoyed that it took her so long to realize that the right guy lived across the hall the entire time and that she'd shrugged off the possibility of being with him beforehand. Her relationship with Chandler was beautiful and meaningful, and the two were blissfully happy together from day one.
Proud Of: That She Remained Close With Her Friend Group
Season 1 Monica was already friends with Joey, Chandler, and Phoebe, and of course, her brother Ross. She also reconnected with her best friend from childhood, Rachel. Monica would be proud that her friend group remained close the entire time, never drifting apart or experiencing any falling outs.
They were all very close with one another; their friend group was really like family, and even though everyone was moving on and embarking on new chapters in their lives by the finale, it was clear that they'd make efforts to remain in one another's lives. Season 1 Monica would be proud of finale Monica for maintaining those friendships.
Hated: That She Couldn't Have Babies
Season 1 Monica's dream was to be a mother. She maintained that dream throughout the years, even looking at sperm donors in Season 3. However, she and Chandler ultimately found out that their chances of conceiving were slim, and both were heartbroken at the news, especially Monica.
She would've hated that she couldn't bear children of her own, but Monica still managed to become a parent when she and Chandler adopted twins, getting the family that they wanted.
Proud Of: That She Had A Family
Season 1 Monica would be beyond proud of the fact that she got her dream family, even if it wasn't the one she expected. She found love with one of her best friends and married him, and they adopted twins together.
They even bought a house in the suburbs to raise their family in. This was Monica's most important dream, and she'd be beyond proud that it came true and turned out even better than she thought it would.