17 Teen Power Couples of the '90s
Christine Laskodi
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Teenage love is always intense.
With hormones running wild, everything in life seems heightened, whether it be not getting invited to a party your crush is going to or something as simple as forgetting to bring your notebook to class.
So it's only natural that teenage love would be of the utmost importance to those of us who grew up watching our favorite shows in the '90s.
As television began to develop shows aimed at teens and pre-teens, teen power-couples were born that we could all relate to. We all knew what it was like to fall in love in the high-school hallway, or with your next door neighbor giving you butterflies. And if you didn't know, well, you could always fantasize!
As we found ourselves in our favorite characters, and they found themselves in love with the perfect mate, we too wanted to find that perfect love, even if that love was just for a season or a school year.
Here are some of the teenage power-couples from the '90s that helped define our views of love!
1. Pacey and Joey, Dawson's Creek
The slowest burn in Capeside, it seemed to take forever for Pacey to win Joey's heart from Dawson. But as he made grand romantic gestures (he bought her a WALL!) and gave her confidence to be more than she thought she could be (he coached her in the beauty pageant!), Pacey single handedly ruined all other men for teenage girls everywhere. Pacey's romantic skills were incomparable, and Joey was eager to be on the recieving end of his love. When they sailed off for the summer on "True Love," we all wanted to go along for the ride!
2. Zack and Kelly, Saved by the Bell
Sweet, charming, and Saturday morning chaste, Zack and Kelly were the reigning King and Queen of Bayside High, so it was only natural that they'd fall in love. Zack and Kelly showed us that your best friend in the hallway could end up being the love of your life. Though we were all broken hearted when Kelly decided she needed some space, the pair didn't stay away from each other for very long, with their love story ending in a Vegas wedding with the rest of the Bayside crew.
3. Brenda and Dylan, Beverly Hills, 90210
When good girl Brenda Walsh met bad boy Dylan McKay, sparks flew immediately. Though her parents didn't approve of his questionable past, Brenda refused to stop seeing Dylan, and the teens embarked on an epic romantic journey. Who could forget that first date, when Dylan threw the potted plant? Or their pregnancy scare? The romantic hotel room at the spring fling? Dylan and Brenda were the original teen power couple.
4. Sabrina and Harvey, Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Nothing made sense when 16-year-old Sabrina Spellman found out that she was a witch. Her quirks and oddities turned many kids off immediately. Harvey Kinkle found her oddities to be endearing and was mesmerized by the teenage witch. Sabrina found a way to juggle magic and having a boyfriend, and Harvey proved to be a great guy, sticking with Sabrina even after she revealed her magic to him. Every girl wanted to find her Harvey and cast a spell on him.
5. Bailey and Sarah, Party of Five
Sarah and Bailey had a longsuffering teen romance; Sarah stuck by Bailey through his substance abuse problems and after her cheated on her. They continually broke up and got back together. But they both knew that they made each other better, and that no matter what the circumstance, they'd find their way back together. Who wouldn't want to fall in love with the person who was truly their better half?
6. Buffy and Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy loved Angel before it was trendy to love vampires. The odds were never in their favor, with her slaying vampires and his being a vampire. They'd never be friends; they'd be in love until it killed them. Whether it was caring for one after a trip to Hell, or showing up for an uber romantic prom dance with the other, every moment was an intense, angst-filled one that ended with lingering kisses and romantic stares.
7. D.J. and Steve, Full House
Every young girl in the '90s wanted to be D.J. Tanner. After D.J. hooked up with Steve, a superstar wrestler with a huge appetite, we only envied her more. Steve was the perfect boyfriend, always supporting D.J. and never pressuring her into what the other kids were doing. Steve was a gentleman who never failed to bring a smile to D.J.'s face, and compliment her for her inner and outer beauty. They don't write teen romances this saccharine sweet anymore.
8. Laura and Steve, Family Matters
Laura wasn't very into Steve...at first. His obsessive life-long crush on her was a total turnoff. Over the years, as Steve started to show why he was a prize catch, he caught her eye and their love story began, much to the annoyance of Steve's ex-girlfriend, Myra. Laura was always the only girl for Steve. This complete nerd taught us never to give up on love, but to also remain true to who you are...the "right one" will appreciate every aspect of who you are.
9. Angela and Jordan, My So-Called Life
Angela and Jordan were real. He was the broken guy with a vulnerability he showed only to her. She was the quiet girl who had a crush on a guy who seemed out of her league. One fake ID sale changed everything between the unlikely duo. They found out who they were together, and while their love story didn't have a happy ending, (he totally hooked up with her best friend,) it made falling in love with a bad boy look so, so good.
10. Donna and David, Beverly Hills, 90210
When popular Donna Martin declared her love for nerdy David Silver, her friends were confused and surprised. Within just a few months, they'd all change their minds about the pair, and find themselves measuring their own love stories against the unlikely pair's. They had a mutual respect and admiration for one another that was unparalelled, and although they broke up and got back together many times, they were never far from each other's minds or hearts, finally getting married in the show's series finale.
11. Eric and Donna, That '70s Show
Life long friends and next door neighbors, Eric and Donna decided to take friendship to a new level and fell in love. Eric and Donna's awkward romance was something we all related to -- not everyone is as smooth as Kelso or Hyde. Some may have considered their longtime romance on That '70s Show to be boring, but their stability at the core of the group of teens who loved to get high was reliable and sweet. Though they didn't walk down the aisle, they each pursued their own dreams and found themselves back in love at the series' end.
12. Felicity and Ben, Felicity
Sure, it seemed crazy when Felicity followed her high-school crush, Ben, to college. He had barely spoken to her, and it was a huge risk. That risk worked in her favor as she got to know Ben, and he showed us all why he was worthy of dropping everything for. Yeah, we all liked Noel, but in the end, he just wasn't the guy she followed to New York. Felicity and Ben were just meant to be.
13. Darlene and David, Roseanne
Darlene was going through a weird phase of teenage rebellion when she met David, and they bonded over movies and comic collaboration. They fit together perfectly; she was a leader, and he didn't mind being emasculated and following her orders. David brought out the softer side of Darlene, and showed us that she was just as vulnerable as every other teenage girl. We loved watching these two relatable teens fall for each other and bring humor to first love.
14. Cory and Topanga, Boy Meets World
Teenage love never hit "soul mate" territory until Cory and Topanga's lifelong love hit televisions. They were kids with old souls, completely understanding the meaning of being selflessly in love at a very tender age. They were engaged at graduation (she proposed!) and married shortly after, and worked through every problem getting married young threw at them. Who says your first love can't be your forever love?
15. Kevin and Winnie, The Wonder Years
You never forget your first love, as Kevin taught us on The Wonder Years. As he shared his coming of age story, a highlight for us all was his longtime romance with Winnie Cooper. They shared tator tots, went to make-out parties, weathered a cross city move, and still managed to find love again in high school. Their romance was bittersweet, as they ended up as friends, and not lovers. But Kevin and Winnie gave us all aspirations of falling in love with the girl (or boy) across the street.
16. Moesha and Q, Moesha
Q was another bad boy, one that Moesha should have avoided at all costs, but she just couldn't stay away. Though her parents disapproved, these two set out on a Romeo-and-Juliette-type of romance, sneaking around and plotting to be together. Everyone knows that love is more meangingful when it's totally forbidden!
17. Tommy and Kimberly, Power Rangers
The '90s ushered in new live-action superheroes for kids to look up to...and on Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, two of those superheroes fell in love while fighting off Rita and Lord Zedd. Tommy Oliver and Kimberly Hart had their share of obstacles to find happiness; Rita made him evil, he lost his powers, and Kimberly's trust. But they finally connected and embarked on one of the sweetest teen romances. For those who affectionately called them, "Tomberly," they were a couple that they 'shipped before they even knew what 'shipping was.
