I also don't think shipping something = not appreciating their friendship. At least, in my experience, both tend to go hand in hand!

Agreed. My favorite types of ships do tend to be friends to lovers, but I read and write just as much, if not more, fic about their friendships as I do about them as a couple. I figure I get the best of both worlds with those kinds of ships in canon, too-if they get together as a couple in canon, then yay, if not, well, hey, I've got their awesome friendship to enjoy, so I'm good either way :D.