Growing up in the 90s meant growing up with Cory and Eric Matthews, Topanga Lawrence, Shawn Hunter and, of course, Mr. Feeny. While all of these characters taught us invaluable lessons in life, Cory and Topanga taught us amazing life lessons about love. The couple was the epitome of growing together and loving each other despite flaws and even though they broke up at times, they always seemed to find their way back to each other. They taught us about true love.
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1) If you like someone, tell them!
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Before Cory had worked up the nerve to ask Topanga out, Shawn pulled a completely “unbrolike” move and asked Topanga out. However, we later learn that Shawn actually just wanted to see
Cory and Topanga together. He wanted them to be upfront about their feelings for each other and stop pretending like they don’t want to be together. Shawn didn’t betray Cory, he was just sending him a message: you like her, she likes you, you need to tell each other and be together! I mean, why waste time being apart when you can be together, right?
2) Your significant other should accept all your little quirks
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If there’s one moment of Cory and Topanga’s budding romance that I’ll never forget, it’s the scene where she stands in the Matthews’ kitchen and draws on her face with lipstick while reciting a poem. Did he think it was weird when she did that? I’m sure he did, but that scene gave them an opportunity to learn about each other. Topanga taught him that because everyone else doesn’t see the significance of something, doesn’t make it any less special to you. She was unique in her own right and that didn’t scare Cory off. He accepted and loved her for the person she was.
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3) If you’re meant to be with someone, you’ll end up with them
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There’s a point in the show where, in the hallways of John Marshall, Cory and Topanga decide to break up. Topanga looks up at Cory and says, “I do my thing and you do your thing. You are you and I am I. And if in the end we end up together, it’s beautiful.” This statement showed that Topanga had enough confidence in the love she shared with Cory to let him go. If they were meant to be, eventually, they would find their way back to each other. And we all know that in the end, they ended up together. There was also the time Topanga broke up with Cory because he tested his feelings for her with another girl, Lauren, while at a ski lodge. However, not for one minute did Cory entertain the idea that he and Topanga were over as a couple. If that isn’t true love, I really don’t know what is.
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4) Dating your friend doesn’t always go wrong
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Cory and Topanga were, first and foremost, friends. Sure, a lot of people say dating your friend can ruin your friendship, but Cory and Topanga made it work. Over the seasons of the show, they transitioned back and forth between girlfriend and boyfriend to just friends. It was difficult for them, of course, but they didn’t give up and I think that’s truly admirable.
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5) EVERYTHING
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That’s right, I said it. Cory and Topanga taught us EVERYTHING we need to know about relationships. From friends to girlfriend and boyfriend to husband and wife. Cory and Topanga had an amazing relationship that had its ups and downs, but the keep relationship alive with something special – trust. They trusted in themselves and their relationship enough to let each other go when it they felt it was necessary. They had a strong conviction that they would make it back to each other in the end. The way they looked at each other, talked to each other, hugged each other, laughed with each other…it was all pure love. They grew up together as friends and lovers. They learned about each other and accepted each other. They held onto the belief they were meant for each other even though their parents felt they were too young to get married. They believed in one another with everything they had, even when it was difficult for them to do so, and that’s a beautiful thing.
They also taught us that 13 years after the final episode of Boy Meets World, many still yearn to know what became of Cory and Topanga. Finally, our prayers have been answered with the spin-off sequel, Girl Meets World, which will follow the life of Cory and Topanga’s 13-year-old daughter, Riley