Laura Winslow Wasn’t the Love of Steve Urkel’s Life on ‘Family Matters’
Let’s be real—Family Matters gave us one of the most unforgettable nerds in television history: Steve Urkel. With his high-pitched voice, suspenders, and lovable persistence, he became the show’s breakout character. But when it comes to love? There’s a huge debate that fans can’t seem to settle: Did Laura Winslow truly deserve Steve’s affection?
Spoiler alert: She wasn’t the one.
The Unrequited Love That Became a Running Gag
From the very first season, Steve Urkel was head over orthopedic heels for Laura Winslow. He chased her, embarrassed himself for her, and basically turned into her personal doormat.
But let’s ask the uncomfortable question:
Why did Steve have to work so hard to be noticed?
Laura rejected him dozens of times. She only started showing interest once he morphed into Stefan Urquelle—a cooler, smoother version of himself. That raises eyebrows, doesn’t it?
Was Laura Winslow Really Worth the Chase?
Laura was smart, beautiful, and confident—but she didn’t appreciate Steve for who he really was. She constantly pushed him away, rolled her eyes, and made it painfully clear that she wasn’t interested—until he changed.
That’s not love. That’s conditional affection.
Stefan Urquelle: The Game-Changer
When Steve invented the transformation chamber and turned into Stefan, Laura suddenly flipped the switch.
Ask yourself:
Did she love Steve, or the image of someone cooler?
Stefan had Steve’s looks but none of his quirks. The fact that Laura instantly fell for him says a lot about what she valued—and it wasn’t authenticity.
Enter Myra Monkhouse: The Girl Who Saw Steve First
Now here’s the plot twist that fans often overlook.
Myra Monkhouse.
She adored Steve. From day one, she loved his snorts, his genius, his awkwardness—all of it. She didn’t want him to change. She was loyal, romantic, and emotionally available.
In many ways, Myra was everything Laura wasn’t.
The Tragedy of Myra’s Love
Despite being a fan-favorite, Myra was often sidelined. She stayed committed even when Steve kept pining after Laura. Her biggest flaw? She loved too much.
Sadly, the show treated her more like a plot device than the soulmate she was.
Why the Writers Chose Laura Anyway
By the final season, Steve and Laura finally get together. But was it earned?
Let’s be honest—it felt like a forced wrap-up. Fans had waited so long that the writers probably thought they had to give them what they thought they wanted. But if you look at character development and chemistry?
Steve and Myra made way more sense.
Breaking the “Nice Guy Wins” Trope
Steve Urkel was the prototype of the “nice guy” who keeps trying until he gets the girl. But that trope hasn’t aged well.
Why should someone keep chasing someone who doesn’t respect them until they become someone else?
That’s not romance—that’s manipulation in a cute sweater vest.
How Steve Grew Beyond His Obsession
In the later seasons, we see Steve mature—emotionally, intellectually, and romantically. He stops being just a pest and starts becoming a man.
It’s during these moments that he begins to realize something we all need to hear:
Love isn’t about chasing. It’s about choosing someone who chooses you back.
Laura’s Love Was Too Little, Too Late
After years of “no,” Laura finally says “yes.” But is that satisfying?
Not really. It felt like she settled after realizing Steve was the only guy left who’d still do her homework and compliment her every 5 minutes.
Audience Reactions: Fans Were Divided
Social media is still buzzing with hot takes. On Reddit and Twitter, many argue that Myra should’ve been endgame. The chemistry, the support, the mutual respect—it was all there.
Others say Laura’s change of heart was realistic—people grow. But does growth erase years of rejection?
Family Matters Could’ve Made a Bold Choice
Imagine if the series finale had Steve realizing that he didn’t need Laura’s validation. That he had someone who loved him from the start.
Imagine him walking away from Laura and choosing Myra.
That would’ve been revolutionary.
Steve Deserved Unconditional Love
The bottom line?
Steve Urkel wasn’t perfect. But he was pure-hearted, loyal, brilliant, and funny. He deserved someone who didn’t need him to change to be seen.
Laura Winslow never offered him that.
Myra Monkhouse did.
What Could’ve Been: An Alternate Ending
In a better universe, Steve realizes that love isn’t about persistence—it’s about connection. He thanks Laura for the memories but walks away, hand-in-hand with Myra, off into a life full of mutual respect and nerdy science puns.
Now that’s the kind of finale we deserved.
The Real Lesson from Steve and Laura’s Story
“Family Matters” tried to tell us that persistence pays off. But maybe the deeper lesson is this:
Don’t spend your life trying to prove your worth to someone who doesn’t see it.
Conclusion: Laura Wasn’t His Forever Girl—Myra Was
While Family Matters wrapped things up with Steve and Laura together, it’s clear to many fans that Myra was the true love of his life. She saw him before the transformation, before the success, before the Stefan phase.
She saw Steve—and she stayed.
So next time you watch the show, ask yourself:
Was Laura the prize—or just the chase?
FAQs
1. Why didn’t Steve Urkel end up with Myra Monkhouse?
The show’s writers followed the long-standing plot arc of Steve chasing Laura, ultimately giving fans a traditional “happily ever after” instead of a more emotionally truthful ending.
2. Did Laura ever really love Steve Urkel?
Eventually, yes—but only after he changed and matured. Her earlier rejections suggest she didn’t love Steve for who he originally was.
3. Was Stefan Urquelle a better fit for Laura than Steve?
Stefan matched Laura’s surface-level ideals but lacked Steve’s genuine heart. Their chemistry was more physical than emotional.
4. What happened to Myra on Family Matters?
Myra remained a recurring character until the later seasons, but was eventually written out of the love triangle, despite her popularity with fans.
5. What’s the takeaway from Steve and Laura’s relationship?
The main lesson is that real love shouldn’t require changing who you are. Relationships should be based on mutual respect and authenticity.
