As a kid lucky enough to grow up in the early 2000s, I can say that I lived in an age where I was showered with incomparable music, gadgets, trends and T.V shows. If you recognize even half of the items on this list, it is safe to say that you lived it up in those golden years that we all wish we could get back … sometimes.
1. "The Amanda Show" existed.
This was arguably one of the greatest shows of all time because it was where the best skits in the world originated. How could we ever forget The Girls Room, Amanda’s Jacuzzi, and Drake Bell being "Totally Kyle." Truthfully, this was like a kid’s version of SNL. There was a time when nothing could get better than that.
2. …so did "Lizzy McGuire."
Enough said.
3. We still used the term "play date."
The moment when we stopped describing our after-school hangout sessions as “play dates” was the moment a little something in us disappeared. A turning point, one might say. The beginning of a new era…
4. The excitement of the playground after school.
Well, this is where we planned our kick*ss play dates. This is where the out of control imaginary games took place, and later, where the drama happened. A playground to us back then was a land of boisterous opportunity.
5. Everyone wore Abercrombie. Or Hollister.
And you knew who was wearing it because, obviously, the name of the store was plastered in blocky letters, right across the chest.
6. Club Penguin was the place to be.
What motivated me to power through my small amount of nightly homework was the guaranteed hours spent partying away on Club Penguin. The coffee shop, the iceberg, the dance floor. This will always be the coolest club around.
7. Britney Spears kept the hits coming.
This one speaks for itself. She even made a much-talked-about appearance on "The Amanda Show" in the “Know Your Stars” segment…for anyone who forgot. Although things have changed since her first album, sometimes it just feels right to go back to an old classic.
8. Your mom bought you a razor phone.
People carried those things around as if they were the most valuable items in the world. Because, I mean ... they were. Looking back on it, I’m not so sure what made razors so cool, but maybe it was the euphoria of slapping the flip closed whenever you craved a moment of melodrama.
9. Blockbuster.
Hours were spent here. Countless movies were rented here. The foundations of friendships were created here. And the best part of Blockbuster may have been the act of returning the movie; the magical feeling of sliding it through the mailbox-esque slot at the front of the store … pure bliss.
10. It was cool to wear a choker.
Don’t say you didn’t own one of these because it’s a lie. I will admit that amongst my favorites of my own were a sparkly blue with a charm on the end and, of course, the classic rainbow choker.
11. There was always a new Kidz Bop or NOW! album to buy.
I once met a girl who sang on a Kidz Bop album as a child. If I met that girl 10 years ago, I would have chased her down for miles to catch an autograph … and directions on how to audition.
12. You had a diary with a key.
Whether or not you actually wrote in it, these things were pretty sick. For all your friends knew (which they never would because they didn’t have the extraordinarily special key) that diary was bursting with all of your deepest, darkest scandalous secrets. Which, as a nine year old, were obviously plentiful.
13. That Wonderball candy was a thing.
Every time that my mom and I reached the register at the grocery store I stealthily tossed one of these in the card. Mom … it’s candy with more candy inside. And who knew what candy you were going to get. A true moment of wonder with each and every Wonderball!
14. And so were Rice Krispies shaped like actual rice krispy treats.
This cereal was absolutely underrated, and if you were ever lucky enough to munch on a bowl of Rice Krispy Treat cereal, than you probably lived a childhood in paradise.
15. People made cootie catchers.
Which brings me to the long lost concept of slumber parties. Cootie catchers are just one of the thrilling games that were offered at our legendary slumber parties, and maybe one of the most important. But not only did we make them on our wild weekends; they were everywhere. Class, recess, lunch; the excitement never ended.
16. "Full House" existed instead of "Fuller House."
Well, I wish I could say that "Fuller House" did a great job of capturing the cozy and cheerful essence of "Full House." Instead, it seemed to come off as a sad yearning for the past and an awkward mocking of the present. But there is no such concept as "Full House" growing outdated. That show will always bring us immediately back to watching reruns on weekend afternoons.
17. The gratification of posting new away messages on AIM.
Many minutes were devoted to crafting the perfect away message. Some messages were a call to attention, while others were a heavily detailed account of your upcoming schedule. All were highly crucial.
18. The "Harry Potter" movies were still coming out.
Okay, this may not apply to everyone. But if it does, please read on. Remember that giddy anxious feeling you would get before a new Harry Potter movie would come out, and how after you saw it, you would immediately start waiting for the next one? There was a time when you had to stop waiting, and start moving on. I will never forgive J.K Rowling for that.
19. Digital cameras.
These were the holders of evidence that every rockin’ cool birthday party actually occurred.
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