“I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes, Love is all around me and so the feeling grows”

If there is anything the 90s has taught us, other than inflatable furniture is not practical and kissing posters of our crushes’ do not make them our boyfriends, it has taught us to love and to really feel it from our fingers down to our toes. When thinking back to the 90s and everything it had to offer, there are some really great lessons the TV, film and music industry has taught us; to love and to be loved is a great feeling as long as you follow the rules.

Titanic

“I’ll never let go, Jack”

Titanic presented us with a bond between two people that was unbreakable, a forbidden love affair between the rich and the poor. The love story of Jack and Rose had us in the palm of its hand, wrapped up in the tale of two hearts destined to be with one another despite their differences and obstacles. We were gripped right until the end, teary eyed, eager for these two lovers to have their happy ending, but no, the Atlantic Ocean was too cold for Jack and we all saw that heart wrenching goodbye. If anything, it taught us to follow our hearts and not our heads, Rose left her wealthy family as the boat was sinking to be with the one she loved, even though it wasn’t the wisest decision I guess we can say that Jack and Rose taught us that true love never dies and the film inevitably began our ongoing crush on Leo.

The Little Rascals

“Dear Darla, I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You’re scum between my toes! Love, Alfalfa.”

The Little Rascals gave us a mini lesson in love, we can really take a lot from those pre-teen rascals when it comes to managing relationships and the opposite sex. On one side you’ve got the ‘He-Man Woman Haters Club’ which was founded on the basis that girls were  gross and that boys ruled, then you’ve got the girl gang; a group of young girls lead by the empowered and confident Darla, who wasn’t afraid to stand up to a little patriarchy. The two groups come to a head when the besotted Alfafa attempted to woo Darla to the dismay of the ‘He-Man Woman Haters Club’. As the other boys are perplexed at the the thought of a relationship between two people of the opposite sex they soon come to realise the error of their ways and their hatred towards the opposite sex only threatens the foundation of their gang, integration only makes the friendship group stronger and for an easier life it’s better to agree and get along with women instead of defying them.

Julia Roberts

If there is anything Julia Roberts taught us women about love in the 90s, it’s how not to be. When it comes to relationships, I would not advise to follow in the footsteps of the many characters Julia Roberts has played throughout the 90s. She constantly toyed with Hugh Grants fluffy haired heart throughout Nottinghill, dumping him to then show up at his doorstep expecting to be forgiven. She almost broke up her best friends wedding after deciding that she was in fact in love with him and gave all young girls the hope that if one day the opportunity to step into the world of prostitution came knocking, it could lead into being whisked off your feet by Richard Gere and living a life fit for a Princess.

Ross and Rachel

“Ross and Rachel, Rachel and Ross” was the love story that dominated most of 90s. What was most beautiful about their relationship that spanned across the whole 10 years of the ‘Friends’ empire was that it was believable. Ross the nerdy college guy eventually wins the girl he’s loved since school; the popular cheerleader. We go through every up and down within their relationship, he likes her, she doesn’t like him, she likes him, he doesn’t want her, the ex’s, the Vegas wedding, the baby, until they eventually end up together and it’s the happy ending we all longed for.

Spice Girls – Wannabe

‘If you wana be my lover, you gotta get with my friends’

The Spice Girls were the ultimate leaders of girl power and putting friends before the opposite sex was a golden rule in womanhood. It’s important to make sure your close friends approve of the guy you’re going to be ‘zigahzigah’ing’ with, but sometimes this can be difficult. There’s nothing worse than allowing a guy to come between you and your friends, your friends can see someone that’s not right for you from a mile off, I know at the time you can’t see it yourself, but it’s most likely it’s not going to turn out well and you’ll need those friends when it all goes wrong. If you’ve been in that situation before, you’ll know it never lasts and the Spice Girls had it right from the start: ‘If you wana be my lover, you gotta get with my friends’ (not literally though). Amen.

TLC – No Scrubs

‘Cos I’m looking like class and he’s looking like trash, can’t get wit’ no dead beat ass’

TLC taught us all not to take second best, don’t put up with someone who has nothing to show for themselves apart from a big ego. Simple enough.

I think it’s safe to say that the 90s taught us our fair share about love and how to deal with such emotion- to embrace it and all it has to offer, making sure certain rules and protocol are followed.

Thanks 90s!

Until next time, 

The Just Singles Team.

About the author… 

Chantelle is a Customer Care Executive. A recent graduate from the University of Sussex, she has a degree in Sociology and a has fascination with human behavior. She loves everything about the 90s and is determined to travel the world. Follow Chantelle on Twitter!