We were Ally, Molly, Judd, Ethan and Anthony

Where were you the first time you saw Cameron's dad's convertible fly through the back window of his parents' garage?

How old were you when you realized how cool it would be to have a trash-talking, cigar smoking, big-as-a-sofa-bed uncle stay with you while mom and dad were on vacation?

What was it like realizing that - no matter what you did - remnants of a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal existed in you all along?

Yesterday John Hughes - the writer/director/producer whose films are responsible for such questions of a generation - passed away. He was 59 years old.

Hughes only directed eight movies - six which were iconic - and was able to perfectly nail the frustrating psyche of normal teenagers. Most of his characters were stereotypes - the rich kid, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, the lovable-but-obnoxious sidekick - but he had the ability to make them the most well-rounded stereotypes audiences had seen to date.

And he made you laugh yourself silly while realizing that being a flawed teenager was both normal and expected.

You probably have your own favorite John Hughes movie moments, so feel free to share them in the Comments. Also, tell us which one of his films was your favorite in the Quick Poll below.

And next time you catch "The Breakfast Club" or "Sixteen Candles" or "Planes, Trains, & Automobiles" on TV remember what was happening in your life the first time you met these people. Then think about how much they remind you of you.

poll by twiigs.com