The man who invented teenage dreams

John Hughes is dead.

I have no idea about him as a man. What he liked to drink, whether he was into chicks, guys or fast cars or rock ‘n roll. In fact I am not even sure how he died. But this is a man who has informed every part of my life. A man who gave me a value set. Taught me how to judge the world. How to find the good in the cards we are dealt. He taught me that redemption is always possible, that good guys can win, that a girl with glasses just has to take them off to be beautiful. He showed me that pink can be a fashion choice. That the library can change your life. That people with red hair can be totally awesome. Don’t worry if you crash your dad’s car, if he loves you, he’ll forgive you. He showed me that life happens when you take the day off. That the important things in life are often sitting right next to you, you just need to open your eyes to see them. If you give people a chance, even big, fat, annoying guys, they will surprise you. True love will find you in the end. The wrong side of the tracks is the right side of the tracks. Tomboys are hot. Nerds can be dudes. The jock will get his day. Burglars come in threes. The slow clap will always be cool. The good stuff is inside you. Never put people in a box. Computer-generated women are not as good as real ones. Hacking military computers is fun. One hundred and one is the perfect number of dogs. New wave rules. You can go wrong with perms, pumps and leg warmers. Life goes by pretty fast, so stop and look around once in awhile. There is comedy in everything. Love is everywhere. And teenage dreams are the best ones we ever have.

Go easy, Mr Hughes. I’m going to miss y’all.