So recently I have been going through one of my favorite tv shows from my childhood. I can quote it, tell you about every episode...I was obsessed with this show. Oh, I'm about to show my age.
BOY MEETS WORLD!
Does anyone remember this show? I couldn't wait for Friday nights when this would come on. Cory was adorable, Shawn was hot, I was determined to name my child Topanga, and Eric made laugh so hard my stomach hurt. Watching these shows again has made me realized a couple of things. One: this show was pretty corny...but sometimes you need that in your life; two: this show was GREAT, without having sex, drugs, teen pregnancy and language. Seriously people. And three: A relationship like what Cory and Topanga is not real.
This was a hard pill for me to swallow a long time ago. I remember how I longed for a relationship like theirs. I wanted to meet my future husband young, be high school sweethearts, have those little fights that only made us stronger in the end...blah blah blah...(now I kind of gag at this stuff, not because I don't believe in love, but because I know its better than that)
While I was thinking about writing to girls about how the relationships we see on tv and movies could never translate into real life, I found this site that explained exactly why Cory and Topanga's couldn't work. Here are a few snippets:
1.) This is no offense to guys, but rarely are you going to find a guy in your tween or teen years that is as insightful as Cory was at times, at lest when it comes to relationships.
2.) Girls, you will never be as insightful about relationships as Topanga seems to be. It's just the truth!
3.) The romantic moment that happened between Cory and Topanga that happened when she ran away from home to be with Cory...yeah that won't happen.
4.) If a boy climbs in your window, it won't be a sweet moment where you confess your love to each other (or he admits to just watching you sleep because it fascinates him. Sorry, love Edward, but it won't happen) If he does climb into your window, call the cops! Or your dad. LOL. I know if any boy tried to climb in our girls window, he would never get the chance to try to climb in another one.
5.) I really liked this one: God will never cry over your temporary break up. Shocking I know.
6.) Cheating would never be as romantic as it was with Cory and Topanga. It wouldn't end as civilized as their did.
7.) Matching outfits...yeah it didn't look cool on them and it won't on you.
There are many more but I won't to stress something. Now I know there are relationships out there that started young and are still going strong. I'm not saying your mate won't come into your life when you are younger, but in this day and age, its unlikely. The pressure of having a relationship, and a very intense one actually destroys more relationships than builds them. In history, people did get married at young ages, even as young as 16. Now most were arranged, some weren't, and they weren't all perfect, but lots of these relationships worked then because if something was broken, they fixed it. That's how it worked back then. Now, if something doesn't work, we just end it and move on. Relationships take work, they take dedication, they take having God as the center of their relationship.
Now one thing Cory and Topanga had right in their relationship was the struggles they faced after getting married. It took work and communication, not just sweet words written by writers to strike at the hearts of a bunch of lovestruck teenagers.
I still love Boy Meets World, I still love quoting it. I will probably watch the new spin off coming out. It will always be my favorite show, but now that I am older, I realize love doesn't work that way. Problems aren't solved within a thirty minute time span, or by the help of a savvy friend or brother. Life takes work...love take work...and if you are willing to make it work and allow God to direct your life, it will be worth it and you will find a love that is great than any Hollywood writer could write. Let God guide your path.
