This week marked the 30^th anniversary of the release of the film “Sixteen Candles, ” and it’s a good reminder of all the lessons learned from the classic movie.  On May 4^th, 1984 I was there for this very “special event” with freshly painted fingernails, wearing a matching shirt with my friend.  Shut up, we were 12.  Matching shirts equaled special event.

This week marked the 30^th anniversary of the release of the film “Sixteen Candles, ” and it’s a good reminder of all the lessons learned from the classic movie.  On May 4^th, 1984 I was there for this very “special event” with freshly painted fingernails, wearing a matching shirt with my friend.  Shut up, we were 12.  Matching shirts equaled special event.

To this day, it is still one of my favorite movies, started my love for all things John Hughes, and inspired my undying admiration for Molly Ringwald.  So while we celebrate the fact that 16 candles would now be 46 candles, let’s take a look at what this amazing film taught us.

10 Life Lessons Learned From “Sixteen Candles:”

1. You will never be as cool as Molly Ringwald or Samantha Baker. But you will, at times, be utterly forgettable.
2. Be eternally grateful that you never had to wear your headgear in public.
3. “Quit feeling sorry for yourself. It’s bad for your complexion.”
4. Unrequited love is a part of life. And while you pine for Jake Ryan, Farmer Ted is the one who will relentlessly call you. And call you. And call you. And call you.
5. You will never meet a China man named Long Duk Dong.
6. 80’s music is the best.
7. While Samantha may not know it, she’s the coolest chick at the dance, but she wears white shoes. Don’t ever wear white shoes.
8. Samantha’s Dad gives really awesome advice. “When you do find the one, don’t let him boss you around. Make sure he knows you wear the pants in the family.”
9. A wedding may have cost $7,000 in 1984, but it most certainly didn’t in the early 2000’s.
10. No matter how much you wish, pray for, and hope, Michael Schoeffling will never show up at your house, church or anywhere else you frequent in a red Porsche. But, if you can find him, he just might make you a coffee table.