Addison Forbes Montgomery was the first character to shake up Grey's Anatomy. The narrative --and Kate Walsh's portrayal of the character -- in Season 1 quickly encouraged fans to root for Addison instead of deeming her a villain. She continually won people over with her incredible surgical skills and prickly yet lovable personality, to the point where Addison's story became bigger than Grey's Anatomy could contain. Thus, the spinoff Private Practice was born.

Private Practice followed Addison after moving to Los Angeles to do something for herself and something outside of her now-iconic love triangle with her ex-husband Derek and the now-departed Meredith Grey. She worked at Seaside Health & Wellness Center (originally Oceanside Wellness) with a group of coworkers who became more than that over the years. One such colleague was Derek's little sister Amelia Shepherd, who joined Private Practice in its third season. Amelia and Addison's relationship was close; they became sisters themselves. This was all while Addison faced several challenges, started the family she'd always wanted and found a new love of her life.

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Addison Montgomery's Husband Helped Her Find Her Happy Ending

Jake and Addison's wedding on Private Practice

That love was reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist Jake Reilly. The beginning of their romance had some rom-com tropes, especially their meet-cute in a grocery store, but the couple ended up living happily ever after with an adopted son named Henry. Addison met her match in Jake, and he earned an extra gold star by being there for Amelia during some of the most challenging times in her life. But when the series ended in 2013 and Amelia moved to Grey's Anatomy as a recurring character, fans began waiting for Addison's return to Grey Sloan.

Addison came back in Season 18 before becoming a recurring character in Season 19, and her reunion with Amelia was enough to bring tears to even a casual fan's eyes. To call Addison and Amelia's dynamic a friendship is the understatement of the century; their sisterhood was sharply defined even before Amelia interacted with her brother Derek. Addison and Amelia's bond was far more profound than anyone may have realized, especially if viewers were only seeing their connection on Grey's Anatomy.

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Grey's Anatomy Doesn't Ignore Addison's Journey

Upon Addison's return in the Season 18 episode "Hotter Than Hell," fans were apprehensive that Grey's Anatomy might attempt to stir the pot again and add more drama to Addison's life. Instead, the series reinforced Addison's happy ending by maintaining her meaningful relationship with Amelia -- which also proved the long-running medical drama wouldn't be hurt if it incorporated more Private Practice characters in its future, especially now that Ellen Pompeo has temporarily departed the series. Most importantly, Addison's reappearance reinforced that happy endings are possible since they're subjective.

Grey's Anatomy is about the journey, and sometimes that journey can be heartbreaking, tedious and possibly go on too long. But certain special people can make it worthwhile. Addison's family with Jake and Henry established on Private Practice is a part of her happily ever after, but so is her sisterhood with Amelia that continued on Grey's Anatomy. It's reflected in their ability to say big, sometimes scary things that embrace imperfections. Addison created a safe space for Amelia to candidly express what she wanted for herself for the first time.

Happy endings look different to everyone, and sometimes they evolve and become something new. Addison's ending will likely continue to change, but her relationship with Amelia is a constant for Addison and vice versa. It's a joy to see Grey's Anatomy revisit and strengthen that bond years later.