I started watching One Tree Hill when I was just a junior in high school. Flash forward almost four years (yes I know that's a long time), and I finally finished it a few weeks ago. I bawled like a baby, and I honestly felt like a major chapter of my life was over when the final words were spoken and credits started rolling during the finale. Dramatic I know, but the story, the characters, and the town of Tree Hill had become almost real to me over the past few years. I journeyed with those characters as they grew up and found themselves, just as I was doing the same thing myself.

Looking back on my time spent watching the show, I am now so thankful that I didn't just binge watch it in a few weeks. Because it took me so long, I was able to watch it during a chapter of my life filled with change, growth, and learning. I went through many of the same things the characters in the show did. Sure, the show was a tad dramatic at times, but despite the drama, it is truly everything a good tv show should be; it's captivating, powerful, and it can teach us a thing or two about life if we really pay attention.

Watching One Tree Hill often reminded me that the struggles I have faced at times and felt so alone with are shared by so many others in this world. It inspired me to be kind, selfless, and true to myself. And most importantly, it taught me to always strive to be a better person and to choose happiness above all else.

The writers of OTH really know how to pen a touching quote. There are hundreds of quotes spoken by the characters throughout the nine seasons that are incredibly true and valuable, but I chose a few that resonated with me the most:

1. "Sometimes it seems like you are the only one in the world who's struggling, who's frustrated, unsatisfied, barely getting by. But that feeling's a lie. And if you just hold on, just find the courage to face it all for another day, someone or something is going to find you and make it all okay." -Lucas Scott

2. "People are gonna label you. It's how you overcome those labels, that's what matters." -Brooke Davis Baker

3. "When you find yourself lost in the darkness and despair, remember it's only in the black of night you see the stars." -Coach Whitey Durham

4. "You can choose to blame your circumstances on fate or bad luck or bad choices. Or you can fight back. Things aren’t always going to be fair in the real world. That’s just the way it is." -Haley James Scott

5. "At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world. Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day. Others are just now facing the truth. Some are evil men, at war with good. And some are good, struggling with evil. Six billion people in the world. Six billion souls. And sometimes — all you need is one" -Peyton Sawyer Scott

6. “It doesn't matter how you plan it. It doesn't matter how you envision it. Without even knowing it, sometimes life has a way of finding you...with exactly what you need." -Quinn James Evans

7. “It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re 17 and planning for someday. And then quietly and without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life.” –Nathan Scott

And finally, the quote that concludes the entire series with the most perfect words:

8. "Make a wish and place it in your heart. Anything you want, everything you want. Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle’s going to come from, the next memory, the next smile, the next wish come true. But if you believe that it’s right around the corner, you open your heart and mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it, you just might get the thing you’re wishing for. The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it. So make your wish. Do you have it? Good. Now believe in it with all your heart.” -the entire cast of OTH