WhileHow I Met Your Motheris full of life lessonsfrom all of its characters, the one we learned the most from was Ted Mosby — specifically when he narrated the show, named by viewers as “Future Ted” as he spoke to his children, teaching them everything he learned in his younger years before he met their mother.
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Whether you were Ted’s age, a little older, or much younger while watchingHow I Met Your Mother,it’s guaranteed you learned a thing or two from Ted Mosby that you still carry with you to this day.
Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.
In the Season 1 episode titled after this important piece of advice, Ted becomes convinced his current girlfriend Victoria is about to end things. He then accepts Robin’s late-night invitation to her place where they ultimately almost take things too far.
In the end, both women end up hurt by Ted, who goes home and finally goes to bed while “Future Ted” reminds his kids that nothing good happens after 2 A.M. It’s a piece of advice that has stuck with viewers since 2006, reminding them that once the clock strikes two, just go to bed.
Think Twice Before Sending The Texty Text
Near the end of Season 4 when Ted blatantly ignores Barney’s “three days rule” about texting a woman whose number he just received, he not only sends her a text, but one of the — albeit sweet — cringiest texts ever.
The verdict is out on whose lesson is best received here. Whatever you do — whether you think twice or wait a whole three days — never send someone the phrase “texty text.”
You Can Pull It Off
Ted oozed confidence for an entire nine seasons; in work, in relationships, and in attire. Despite his friends countless jabs at one of his favorite accessories, Ted stuck to his guns and always assured them he could indeed pull off those red cowboy boots.
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The next time you’re questioning whether you should wear that Canadian tuxedo or dress made of meat likeLady Gaga,think like Ted Mosby and remind yourself that you may pull it off.
Build Your Own Skyscraper
Ted’s career in architecture was a bumpy road. When he disagreed with the way his boss designed the city’s latest skyscraper, instead of succumbing to something he didn’t believe in, Ted designed his own.
In the end, Ted’s design was well-received by his job and ended up being built in New York City. Going with your gut can be risky, but Ted taught everyone the importance of simply building your own skyscraper.
You Gotta Make The Mistake
Whether it was staying up past 2 A.M., sending the texty text, or countless relationship blunders, half of the series was about the mistakes Ted made while sharing those life lessons with his children. But in most of those scenarios, the interesting thing about Ted was that he knew they were all mistakes.
How I Met Your Motherwas always teaching its audience the importance of making mistakes and learning from them. Because in the words of Ted himself: “Here’s the thing about mistakes. Sometimes, even when you know something’s a mistake, you gotta make it anyway.”
‘Professor’ Is Spelled With One F, Not Two
Much like howFull Housetaught everyonehow to spell ‘success,‘HIMYMtaught its viewers an important spelling lesson. When Ted gives his first lecture as a professor, just as he’s about to write his name on the blackboard, he has a full-on internal crisis over the spelling of ‘professor.’
It may be a little less common than the word ‘success,’ but if you’ve ever questioned whether ‘professor’ has one F or two, it’s probably thanks to Ted Mosby (or rather, his one student who subtly nodded in agreement when he wrote one F).
Stealing Is Okay When It’s For Love
In the veryfirst episode of the series,Ted and Robin go on their first date and Robin compliments the restaurant’s decorative blue French horn hanging on the wall. Ted gets a little unethical with his romantic gesture that tops off their date.
Despite Robin’s initial shock that her date stole the instrument from the restaurant, she leaves it hanging in her apartment for seasons to come. While no one is trying to condone stealing here, you’re able to’t argue that, as Lily would say, “That’s love, bitch.”
Friends First
Whether it was a truce with a beer after a fight, roadtripping with “500 Miles” stuck on repeat, or offering up a “sandwich,” despite Ted’s countless relationships throughout the series, he always made room for his four best friends.
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The friendship between Ted, Marshall, Lily, Robin and Barney was iconic, and taught its viewers the dos and don’ts of how to make your own friendships… well… legendary.
Wait For It
While “wait for it” technically became Barney’s catchphrase, the action was something that Ted demonstrated season after season. Because no matter how many times he thought a woman was “the one” and was forced to face the truth that she wasn’t, he kept on waiting.
“Wait for it” was seemingly theHow I Met Your Motherequivalent to the saying, “Good things come to those who wait,” and reminded the viewers that even if it takes nine seasons, the wait is worth it.
Don’t Give Up Until You Find Your Yellow Umbrella
The yellow umbrella wasn’t only asymbol ofHIMYM,it told the story of Ted’s journey to finding the future mother of his children. When “The Mother” lost it, Ted found it. Ted used it to stay dry from the rain when he met Stella, the reason he became a professor, where “The Mother” sees him for the first time. When he later dates Cindy, he accidentally leaves the umbrella at her apartment, where it’s revealed to the audience that “The Mother” happens to be Cindy’s roommate.
After Barney and Robin’s wedding, Ted officially meets “The Mother” and is reunited with the yellow umbrella that she’s carrying. It was a long and bumpy road for that yellow umbrella — owned and then lost by both Ted and “The Mother” — but in the end, Ted showed everyone what can happen when you don’t give up on looking for your “yellow umbrella.”
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