When we were growing up, Spice Girl mania took the world by storm—and as little collegiettes in the making, we openly obsessed over our favorite Brits. From Scary’s massive mane of hair to Sporty’s awesome athletic look, we couldn’t help falling in love with the Spice franchise. But what we didn’t realize at the time was that the music playing through boomboxes and Walkmans would actually help us when it came to relationships as we got older. We’ve put together a list of the Spice Girls’ best lyrics that can help you put a love crisis in perspective… all while doing it in a ‘little Gucci dress.’
“If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends.” – “Wannabe”
If there’s one thing the Spice Girls prided themselves on, it was girl power. Because when it comes down to it, boys come and go, but your true friends will always stick by your side. That being said, you can’t let your boyfriend completely ignore the friendships you’ve had since before he was ever in the picture (or even the new friends you make after you get together). The kind of people you’re friends with is a sign of who you are as a person, and if he can’t be bothered with your girlfriends, then is he really someone you want sticking around?
“When I got my first boyfriend. . . all my friends were VERY picky and [tried] to find anything bad about him. At first your friends may be skeptical, but if the guy is great, they will accept him,” Hailey Craig, a sophomore at Columbia University, says.
For your friends, accepting a new guy may be tough. But the only way for them to click is by hanging out and spending time together. It may take some time, but friendships don’t typically happen overnight. Give it some time, and (fingers crossed) your boyfriend and your girlfriends will approve of one another.
“And all that I want from you is a promise you will be there. Say you will be there.” – “Say You’ll Be There”
Whether he’s your partner in crime or your life partner, he should be more than willing to be there for you no matter the time of day or situation at hand. If he cares, he’ll show it by being by your side whenever you just need someone to sit with you… even if there’s nothing to say.
“My dad got really sick while I was in high school and sometimes I just didn’t know what to do with myself. . . [M]y boyfriend knew that even though I said I wanted to be alone, I needed someone by my side. He used to come over and just sit with [me]. I’d sit there with a blank stare not saying a word, and he just kept holding my hand. Without him, I don’t think I would have ever gotten through it,” Beth*, a sophomore at BC, said. “We’re still together today, even though we go to different schools.” He should want to be by your side when you need him most (and even when you don’t need him at all). If he doesn’t, it’s time to find a guy who does.
“Spice up your life!” – “Spice Up Your Life”
You’re only young once, and as collegiettes, we should be taking advantage of our exciting lives. If you’re bored in your relationship, do something crazy! If you’re bored being single, go out and find a fun, new relationship! But just because we’re growing up, doesn’t mean we need to settle down.
“I was in a relationship for most of high school and into my first year of college,” says Rebeca Teplitz, a junior at GWU. “When my boyfriend and I ended things, I was pretty upset. But my friends convinced me to keep going out with them, and before I knew it I wasn’t thinking of my ex and I was enjoying my time in college to the fullest. I met tons of guys that I probably would have never spoken to had I not stepped out of my comfort zone.”
Now is the time to experience wild (but safe!) summer flings, college hook-ups, and everything else that may be out of your comfort zone. Today’s mishaps and mistakes help shape our future relationship criteria—what we learn now will help us know what we want later on, so we might as well test the waters!
