Topanga Lawrence. I always had an immense respect, bordering on jealousy, for the Brillo Pad boy that managed to date a girl like Topanga Lawrence.

While fantasies of Topanga were a major reason for me to watch the show, I'm sure that Boy Meets World managed to inadvertently inculcate some positive moral lessons within my perverted little brain.

And while I'm sure some of you female viewers out there went head over heels for Shawn Hunter's demigod head of hair, you managed to pick up some worthwhile knowledge too.

Boy Meets World was pitched as a contemporary version of The Wonder Years, the show that ironically enough starred Ben Savage's older brother, Fred Savage.

I believe that Boy Meets World may have played some minor role in helping to shape our generation into reasonably upright beings. After all, I'm sure many of you still remember a lot of the episodes. So let us stop to appreciate the power of positive moral lessons shrouded beneath the veil of the ridiculous exploits of an average kid finding his way in the world with the help from his friends and family.

Which brings us to the unforgettable cast of characters. Because I could go on forever reminiscing about specific episodes, let's just focus on the characters.

Cory Matthews is the lead, a kid from a suburb of Philadelphia who must constantly face the challenges of growing up. His family consists of his loving parents, Amy and Alan, his unusually sarcastic little sister, Morgan, and his dopey, girl-obsessed brother, Eric.

Eric was undoubtedly my favorite. Who could forget the time that Eric subjected himself to a psychological study on dreams, and the results showed that a common field mouse possessed more hopes and aspirations? Classic.

Shawn is Cory's deliciously white-trash best friend who aids and supports Cory, but who is also continually tackling the troubles of a deteriorating family life and the difficulty of poverty.

And here, just by observing the main and supporting characters of the show, a valuable lesson is being taught. Cory and Shawn are from drastically different economic backgrounds and home-ideologies. However, this doesn't stop them from being best friends, teaching us that love and friendship are blind to social status.

Topanga is of course Cory's intelligent and supportive girlfriend. Topanga's character evolved from little-hippie chick to sexy brainiac. Her eccentric hippie parents eventually transformed into middle-class suburbians on the verge of divorce.

Plot-holes aside, Topanga continued to be a positive force in Cory's life. The two go from their first kiss to being a married couple with a sex life. How do you like that for a rapidly aging cast of juveniles?

And finally, George Feeny. When you see that name, don't you just think about how Eric would pronounce it? F-A-H-EE-NAY!

Feeny is Cory's neighbor and teacher who somehow managed to follow the crew into almost every level of education, including college. Mr. Feeny never failed to supply Cory with crucial life lessons through his tough but fair teaching style. Other characters emerged as the show evolved, but these are the ones that most likely stick with us.

How was that for a trip down memory lane? Although, if you're like me this article wasn't refreshing at all because you probably still watch the show on ABC Family. Regardless, if you watched the show as a kid, it probably had some effect on your developing mind. So hats off to you, Boy Meets World. You were possibly the sole reason I didn't become a serial killer. Hail to the awesome power of the teenage sitcom!