By Nancy Scrofano

Remember when you had to pay extra for the Disney Channel? It wasn’t always included in the regular cable line-up. I begged my parents to get the Disney Channel for me, but was unsuccessful. They weren’t hearing my pleas and my promises that I would clean my room, wash the dishes, etc. if they would just pay for Disney. When I thought all hope was lost and I would never experience that Disney magic, the day finally came when it was added to our cable package. I was overjoyed! Now I would get to see what other kids at school were talking about. It was myturn.

The first Disney Channel show I fell in love with was Flash Forward. Oh, Tucker and Rebecca, or Tuck and Becca as they were nicknamed. This might have been my first introduction to a best friendship between a guy and a girl who are clearly meant for each other, and everyone can see it but them. They finally kissed in the last episode, and then Becca says, “What are the odds?” Well, the odds were pretty good since the series was over, and obviously, Tucker and Becca belonged together.

After saying a tearful goodbye to Flash Forward, I was ready to move on. The Famous Jett Jackson, Even Stevens (a young Shia LaBeouf!) and Lizzie McGuire captured my heart next. Lizzie McGuire premiered when I was about to graduate high school, but I didn’t care that I was a bit older than the target demographic. I just couldn’t turn my back on the Disney Channel, even though I was getting older. After all, I had wanted it so badly, right? And there is always something so comforting about their programming. It’s family friendly, and yes, totally cheesy and usually unrealistic, but it always makes me laugh. I loved Lizzie McGuire so much, that it was really hard to let go of it when it finally went off the air, despite the fact that I was in college by that time. I rushed out to see the movie the day it hit theaters, and I’ve seen it way too many times since. The Lizzie and Gordo kiss?! We were all waiting for that. The after-kiss dialogue: “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” So cute and yet so awkward. And I still consider the episode “Misadventures in Babysitting” one of the funniest episodes of TV that I’ve ever seen.

No matter what it is, if it’s on the Disney Channel, there’s a very good chance I’m going to watch it. Still. Even now. I’ve watched it all: That’s So Raven, the High School Musical movies, Hannah Montana, Cory in the House, Wizards of Waverly Place, countless Disney Channel original movies, and the list goes on. My favorite show that’s currently airing is Good Luck Charlie. I don't want to grow up. I'm a Disney Channel kid. And I’m so glad I don’t have to beg for it anymore.
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Nancy Scrofano is the editor of Good Humor Girl and the author of True Love Way. She is also the editor of The Chick Lit Bee, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction, and she writes book reviews for a prestigious book review magazine Nancy is at work on her next novel. For more information, please visit http://www.nancyscrofano.com.