I feel so lucky to have been a 90s kid! It was truly the best era to grow up in. Like the 1920s, the 1990s were a magical time of fashion, prosperity, and the best TV shows ever. Okay, maybe they didn’t have TV in the 1920s, but still. Sadly, there were no iPhones in the 90s, but Zack Morris could really work that epic brick-sized cell phone while cutting class. Mini backpacks may be a thing of the past, but I’m psyched to see that 90s fashion is making a Tupac-style comeback.

The 90s were also an incredibly prosperous time for our nation. Y2K may not have marked the end of the world as once predicted, but aspiring to socialite greatness has become exponentially harder every year since the early 2000s. I often wonder if it is really the 90s that I miss or if I just miss being a kid. Either way, I’m celebrating my favorite decade by paying homage to the 9 things I miss most:

1. Saved By the Bell: Zack Morris was so my first crush making Saved by the Bell the best show ever! Starting in 2nd grade, I’d rush home to watch this show thinking that my upcoming teenage years would consist of afternoons at The Max, sporting events, locker drama, and crazy dates. Is Saved by the Bell still on anywhere? Because I’m totally willing to wake up at 3 a.m. to watch it. I already have plans to go as my 90s role model, Kelly Kapowski, this year for Halloween.

2. The Clinton Years: I was far too young to join the American workforce, but I must say that the 90s were a very prosperous time for my parents. They were a time when jobs were steady and nearly everyone had the potential to make great strides up the social ladder. If President Clinton could run again this year, I would vote for him in a second.

3. TGIF: Watching the Friday night lineup was something I would look forward to every week. In my house, it really became a family affair. By 8 p.m. every Friday, we would all be in front of the TV eating pizza in our pajamas. If you wanted to have anything to talk about with your friends on Monday, you had to watch TGIF.

4. Mini Backpacks: Were the coolest fashion accessory of the early 90s. Anyone who was anyone had to have one.

5. Clueless Pens: These super girly pens with feathers at the top were made popular by the Clueless movie that I watched at almost every single sleepover I attended throughout the 90s. In grade school, these were the best pens to take notes with in class because you could pretend you were Cher living the teenage dream in Beverly Hills. For girls of my generation, Clueless is basically a religion.

6. Full House: Another best show ever that made every little girl want to be an Olsen twin or at least have a twin. Who didn’t love the Tanner family and their fabulous San Francisco life?

7. TRL: When I say TRL, I mean TRL the show and all associated artists (pre-insane Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Eminem etc.) In the 90s, there was nothing like coming home to the top 10 even though Carson Daly would cut off every song.

8. Mood Rings: As a kid, I went through a time when I was obsessed with mood rings and how they would change colors based on body temperature and other factors. They were cool, but I’m not sure how accurate they were.

9. Virtual Pets: During the 90s I’ll admit I had my share of Furbies, Tamagotchies, Nano Pets, etc. They were awesome only until they got annoying.

Honorable Mentions: Ring Pops, Beepers (I always wanted one, but my mom said I couldn’t have one because only drug dealers carried them), The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Rollerblades, Skip-It, Sun-In, L.A. Lites Sneakers, Recess, Sweet Valley High, Magic 8-Balls, Windbreakers/Nylon Track Jackets, The Box (Yay! For 24/7 music videos), Super Nintendo, Sonic (Tails was my fav), Snap Bracelets, Sweaters Tied Around the Waist, Daria (It was Quinn who first got me interested in fashion), Jelly Shoes (they’re back I think), Butterfly Clips, Beanie Babies (I still keep mine in my Mom’s basement), Plaid Jumpers, and Velvet Chokers.

Zack and Kelly Forever! I <3 the 90s!