Let’s Set the Record Straight About Steve Urkel’s Love Life
If you grew up watching Family Matters, you probably remember Steve Urkel’s unrelenting love for Laura Winslow. It was sweet, goofy, and sometimes borderline obsessive. But here’s the twist: Laura Winslow wasn’t the true love of Steve Urkel’s life.
Nope. That honor goes to Myra Monkhouse—the one character who actually loved Steve for who he truly was, not who she wanted him to be.
The Laura Obsession Wasn’t Real Love
Let’s be honest. Steve’s love for Laura started as a schoolboy crush and evolved into years of chasing, begging, and dramatic gestures. But what did Laura offer back? For most of the show, she barely tolerated Steve. Her affection only sparked when he transformed into the cool, smooth-talking Stefan Urquelle.
If someone only loves you when you change, is that real love? Didn’t think so.
Enter Myra Monkhouse: The Unexpected Soulmate
Myra was everything Steve needed and more. She was quirky, brainy, loyal, and—most importantly—she loved the Urkel Steve, not the Stefan version. From the very beginning, Myra accepted Steve’s weirdness, his genius, and even his awkward charm.
While Laura saw Steve as annoying, Myra saw him as adorable.
Myra and Steve Had Real Chemistry
Watch any scene with Steve and Myra, and you’ll notice something different—mutual affection. Their conversations weren’t one-sided. Their dates weren’t disasters. Their chemistry? Undeniable.
They shared an interest in science, classical music, nerd culture—you name it. And unlike with Laura, Steve didn’t have to bend over backwards to get her attention.
She Never Asked Him to Be Someone Else
That’s one of the most powerful things about Myra. She never asked Steve to become smoother, cooler, or more normal. She didn’t want Stefan. She wanted Steve, with his suspenders, nasal voice, and all.
That kind of unconditional love is rare—even in real life. And for a character like Steve, who constantly struggled with rejection, Myra was a safe place. A soft landing.
She Stood By Him (Even When He Didn’t Deserve It)
Steve wasn’t always the perfect boyfriend. Sometimes he was oblivious or too focused on Laura. But Myra kept showing up. She defended him, supported him, and even stepped aside when she realized he still had feelings for Laura.
That’s not just love. That’s maturity.
Let’s Talk About Laura’s Late-Stage Feelings
In later seasons, Laura started to warm up to Steve. But let’s be real: her love didn’t grow from knowing Steve deeply. It grew from seeing Stefan and realizing maybe she’d overlooked something.
But that’s the problem. She only saw Steve after everyone else did.
Where was she when he was spilling punch on himself at school dances? Or building genius-level inventions just to impress her?
Too little, too late.
The Tragic Loss of Myra Made Her Even More Iconic
Off-screen, Myra’s story became even more emotional. The actress who played her, Michelle Thomas, tragically passed away in 1998 from cancer. Her absence in the final season was deeply felt—and it underscored how significant her character really was.
Steve losing Myra wasn’t just a plot point. It was a gut-punch to fans who saw the genuine connection they shared.
Jaleel White Himself Hinted That Myra Was Steve’s True Match
In later interviews and reflections, Jaleel White (who played Urkel) has acknowledged how important Myra was—not just as a love interest, but as someone who truly got Steve.
He even imagined reboot scenarios where Myra and Steve ended up together, not Laura.
If the actor who created Urkel says it—we believe it.
Fans Still Root for Myra Years Later
You can find Reddit threads, YouTube comments, and fan articles all saying the same thing:
“Steve and Myra were the real love story.”
It’s not a fringe opinion. It’s the majority now. People recognize that while Steve and Laura was the show’s “official” couple, Steve and Myra were the heart.
She Was More Than Just “The Other Girl”
Myra wasn’t written to be a throwaway love interest. She had personality, depth, ambition, and humor. She wasn’t competing with Laura—she was showing us what real partnership looked like.
And honestly? She won.
Steve Deserved Someone Who Loved Him Fully
Let’s wrap this up with a truth bomb:
Steve Urkel spent most of the show chasing someone who barely saw him. Myra? She saw him clearly from the beginning. She laughed with him, cried with him, and celebrated his brilliance.
That’s love. Full stop.
Conclusion: Team Myra Forever
Yes, Steve ended up with Laura on Family Matters. But fans know better. The real love story wasn’t about persistence or transformation. It was about unconditional acceptance, shared nerdiness, and quirky connection.
And that’s what Steve and Myra had.
If the writers had followed the heart instead of the cliché, the finale would’ve ended with Myra Monkhouse walking down the aisle, not Laura Winslow.
Because sometimes, the best love stories are the ones that don’t need fixing.
FAQs
Q1: Why wasn’t Steve and Myra’s relationship endgame on the show?
The show followed the more traditional “popular girl finally sees the good guy” arc. But many believe it ignored the deeper emotional connection Steve had with Myra.
Q2: Did Steve actually love Myra?
Yes. He may have started off obsessed with Laura, but his relationship with Myra matured and showed real emotional depth.
Q3: What happened to the actress who played Myra?
Michelle Thomas tragically passed away in 1998 from stomach cancer. Her passing left a huge void in the show and among fans.
Q4: Did Laura only fall for Steve after he became Stefan?
Pretty much. Laura’s attraction came after Steve revealed his “cooler” side—suggesting her love was based more on appearances than personality.
Q5: Will there ever be a reboot where Steve ends up with Myra?
Fans and even Jaleel White have imagined this possibility. While there’s no confirmed reboot yet, the idea still lives strong in the hearts of fans.
