10 Things 'The O.C.' Taught Us About High School Romance

What's This?

By Bonnie Wertheim2013-08-05 11:22:25 -0700

Ready to feel old and nostalgic? The O.C. aired its television pilot — the episode that contains its most eponymous and quotable line — 10 years ago Monday.

While much of the series involved its high-school stars in situations far more dire than anything viewers would ever encounter in the real world, The O.C. paired its melodrama with life lessons that readily applied to high school life — especially relationships.

See also: 20 Perfect GIFs To Express Your Love

Here are 10 things the show taught us about young love.

1. Common interests are essential to starting and maintaining any serious relationship.

Image: 42inchtv/Tumblr

2. Though there is such a thing as having too much in common.

Image: summerroberts/Tumblr

3. There's nothing more awkward than a parent walking in on you.

Image: jaclynnicolee

4. Sometimes, you have to go through desperate measures to capture someone's attention.

Image: mystrawberryfieldsforever/Tumblr

5. Even married adults remember their first loves.

Image: kirstenccohen/Tumblr

Image: kirstenccohen/Tumblr

6. Intrigue works.

Image: anotherlifebrotha/Tumblr

Image: anotherlifebrotha/Tumblr

7. It's always possible to find out you like something new.

Image: pipeschapmans/Tumblr

Image: pipeschapmans/Tumblr

8. There's a difference between good bad guys and bad bad guys.

Image: alaceratedsoul/Tumblr

9. Ain't no romance like a bromance.

Image: haleyjamess/Tumblr

10. The people who love you will always wait for you.

Image: my-life-as-a-cat/Tumblr

Image: Warner Bros./Getty Images

Topics: anniversary, Conversations, Entertainment, GIFs, high school, nostalgia, relationships, romance, the O.C., Television, Watercooler