Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.

It all started with a 12 year old boy who simply wanted to go to a Phillies game with his big brother. Instead, his brother took his girlfriend, leaving him no choice but to move into the tree house.

Sound familiar?

Well, it should!! It's only the pilot to one of the greatest television shows ever to be made.

Still no clue?

Boy. Meets. World.

That's right. We meet Cory Matthews when he was merely an average 12 year old boy. Along with his best friend, Shawn, and who will soon become his longtime girlfriend and wife, Topanga, he conquers what is known as "the world". Now, it's not actually the world, but it's real life issues. Not the "real life issues" you see on Degrassi *blech* But the ones that even good people face. The ups and downs of love, the pain of divorce and loss, caring for people, when to hold on and when to let go, finding yourself...

Ya know what? That's only a few of the lessons that all seven seasons hold. I mean, it's like the crumbs in a box of cookies compared to the lessons I've learned from the most likeable and truly amazing characters. Period.

Now I am only going to share a few of the lessons that stuck with me.

First, the episode where Cory and Mr. Feeny trade places in the classroom. The lesson Cory gave on Anne Frank and prejudice is one I will never forget. Why? I'm not sure exactly. I remember the exact moment I saw that episode for the first time. I was seriously awestruck. I about 10 or 11, too, so that lesson was deep for me. While I was mature in that area, I still hadn't experienced the sort of circumstances they were talking about. And I'm not entirely sure, but I think it sparked my interest in the Holocaust. I loved learning about it, not because I had some sick fascination with concentration camps, but because it was an absolutely horrifying time in history. I remember in 7th grade, we had a Holocaust survivor come to our history class. He still had his tattoos, etc. It was just one of those things that stuck with me and I'm sure I will never forget.

Season two's end was nearing when Topanga needed a quote from Cory for the school yearbook. She quoted Frederick Perls, "You do your thing and I'll do mine...you are you and I am I...and, if in the end, we end up together, it's beautiful." Cory chooses this quote as well. This is the first sign of "love" from the infamous couple. Though neither one has admitted it yet, they're connection is stuff of fairy tales. I know that completely defies what I said before about "real life lessons that actual people go through" but everyone has their first crush, first kiss, first love...and these two people were lucky enough to have one person be all of those things. I'm still looking for my Cory. :)

Season three was an eventful year for the BMW gang. From the epic relationship that blossomed between Cory and Topanga, the painful breakup, the re-entering of the dating world, the reconciliation, etc. I think what I loved most about (and would love until the series finale) was this was where Eric's character really started to develop. He was starting to realize the importance of life. The plans he had for his life fell apart, so he went out to find himself. Eric was always my favorite character and this was cool for me to watch his character develop some slow, subtle depth.

Oh no! Topanga has to move to the dreaded Pittsburgh (haha!), leaving Cory behind in Philadelphia. This is not fair! But, no matter how many times I've seen these episodes, I still cry when Cory gets ready to walk out the door to drive to Pittsburgh, only to find Topanga standing there. *sigh* Young love! You have to admit, though, that this relationship puts even Ross & Rachel to shame. These two had a more mature relationship than they did, and they were in freakin' high school! But this taught me that if you want something bad enough, there's always a way to make it work.

"And Then There Was Shawn" was one of those "hit me like a ton of  bricks" episodes. After Cory and Topanga's breakup, there is a lot of tension in the gang. They end up in detention where one by one, they're killed off. A sort of parody of "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer", leaves us guessing who is the man behind the mask. Ya know what? Shawn was "taking out" the distractions to show Cory and Topanga that they're they only ones that matter in this situation.

I'll never forget the episode where they all spend their time at an art museum, mesmerized by Van Gogh's "Starry Night" That's always been my favorite painting but to see them caught in it's beauty and meaning was like going to a museum with my friends. Ya know, I grew up with these guys. They were my friends.

My favorite season, hands down, was season six. SO much stuff happened. It was by far the most emotional and relate able season. When the Matthews' youngest son is born, and put in intensive care, the gang comes together for a powerful lesson in what truly matters. We learn that Shawn is an amazing poet (much like his real life persona, Rider Strong...shout out to Ashley!) Shawn and Jack's dad dies from a heart attack, and though they guys never really knew him, it is a difficult time for them. Shawn does some soul searching on a road trip (much like Eric's journey of self-discovery.) Topanga and Cory have issues with their wedding, questioning whether or not they are making the right decision. This only intensifies when Topanga's parents announce their divorce. But, no matter what people say, Cory & Topanga do not have their parents relationship. They have a one of a kind love. But my favorite part (and I'm getting emotional just thinking about it) was Eric and his love for this boy named Tommy that he meets when he's playing Santa. Their relationship is amazing. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Eric had adopted him. Don't get me wrong, the man Eric is in the series finale is an amazing person. But still...I think the writers could have done so much with those characters. But it was also an incredibly mature decision on Eric's part to put Tommy's need for a "real family" ahead of his own.

A powerful lesson on friendship is learned from the unsuspecting Eric. "Lose one friend; lose all friends; lose yourself" Yeah...the room is silent here, too.

But the season finale holds so much emotions. I mean, my friends were moving away! Cory, Topanga, Eric, and Shawn move to New York for their new life. To say I cry is an understatement. It's hard to say goodbye.

I often wonder what the BMW gang would be doing now.  In my "made for tv movie" reunion, Eric would be a teacher. Why? He had a great relationship with Mr. Feeny and I know he'd make a great one. Shawn has more of an artistic side so I always pictured him as a writer. Cory and Topanga are living the dream: Topanga's a lawyer and Cory is a successful businessman working to raise the little ones running around the house. Mr. Feeny is probably still teaching. He'll never die.

What's sad is that this insanely large post doesn't explain the countless lessons Mr. Feeny taught me. Let's face it: Mr. Feeny is like...Yoda. He kinda looks like him, too. :)

Class dismissed.