If you are anything like me, you were both shocked and upset when you heard that Jenna Fischer was seperating from her husband of six years, writer/director James Gunn. The couple released a statement, which was short and simple but revealed multitudes about their relationship. "We have chosen to separate. We are sorry for any pain this causes family and friends. The enthusiasm we have expressed for each other's lives, spirits and careers is real – we have been each other's cheerleader and friend during the past six years and continue to be so now and in the future."

When I began watching The Office, I wasn't interested in the lives of the actors who portrayed my favorite characters. To me, Michael, Jim, Pam, Dwight and other office workers were real people and it was easy to pretend I was watching a real life documentary series. However, Jenna Fischer caught my attention when I watched an interview she did on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She was quick and witty and almost as fun to watch as her alter-ego, Pam. After that, I was eager to learn more about her and watch any films she might have been in. As my love for The Office grew, my adoration for the sweet and lovable Jenna Fischer did too.

Now, it is normal for us "common folk" to feel like we know the actors we watch on the big and small screen. However, Jenna has allowed us to really be her friends through her MySpace page. We can contact her and she can write back to us. The Internet has become a medium that gives us a seemingly intimate connection to our favorite stars. While Jenna would have been quite just in simply releasing a statement to the press, she first put a post on her MySpace page. Her fans were able to hear of the seperation from her own lips, once again fueling the idea that we are as important to Jenna as her closest friends.

Anyone who has even gone through a painful time understands how important it is to have your friends and family nearby to give you comfort and support. From what we know of Jenna, she probably has many close friends who can help take her mind off her troubles. She has her friends, her family, her work and she has us...her loyal fans who will watch her as the sweet and endearing Pam Beasley on the small screen, and continue to hope for her all the best in her real life.