If you had the pleasure of watching the nine-season emotional rollercoaster that was "One Tree Hill," then consider yourself blessed. What started as a TV show about two brothers who couldn't get along turned into so much more. I mean, there were love stories, shootings, marriages, divorces, illnesses, pregnancies, psychopaths, killers, car accidents, fires, crazy nannies--everything you could image. But through all that craziness, the characters managed to teach us a few important lessons. Warning: spoilers ahead!
Nathan taught us how to follow our dreams.
Nathan's obvious dream was to become a professional basketball player. In high school, he earned a scholarship to Duke University, but ended up playing at a smaller college coached by Lucas and Whitey. He then ended up playing for the University of Maryland and was set to be the 10th draft pick for the Seattle Sonics. But, tragically, in season five, Nathan picked a fight at a bar and was thrown through a glass window (in his defense, he was just trying to defend Haley). Then came the Nathan Scott I think we all hated most: selfish, jock Nathan; the paralyzed, alcoholic, angry guy, with long, Jesus-like hair, who was too similar to Dan Scott. In the end, Nathan recovered (thank god), played slam ball, and then played for the Charleston Chiefs, who were a D-League team. After getting turned away and overlooked too many times, Nathan finally got recruited by the NBA in season seven to play for the Charlotte Bobcats.
Nathan's not-so-obvious dream was to be a great dad and husband. After being raised by the spawn of Satan himself, Dan Scott, Nathan knew just what type of father he didn't want to be. Nathan clearly was able to achieve that dream by raising Jamie and loving Haley unconditionally. Through all their ups and downs, world tours, crazy nannies, accidents, and kid/dadnappings, Nathan perservered, and was there for his family as much as he could be. Thanks, Nathan, for creating impossible dreams of how all women hope to be treated by their significant others. We will forever be let down since they are not Nathan Scott.
Haley taught us how to follow our hearts.
Since Haley's debut in season one, she was by far the character with the biggest heart. From the beginning, she just wanted what was best for everyone, even people who weren't her friends. She tutored Nathan when Lucas was at war with him because she felt guilty leaving him to fail. Then, when she fell for Nathan, everyone told her that she was crazy, but she followed her heart, which worked out pretty well since "Naley" was still going strong nine seasons later. She constantly threatened to "turn Lucas in" if he didn't do the right thing. For example, stealing money from the register at Karen's Café, not being faithful to his girlfriend(s), or the whole heart medication fiasco. She begged Brooke to take in Sam after she saw her sleeping in a car at school because who would leave a foster kid out on the street? Not Haley. She brought back her music career in order to prevent TRIC from being bought and destroyed because she wanted to keep Peyton's label intact. I could go on for days. Thanks, Haley, for being the most selfless, caring, and lovable character on "One Tree Hill." Except for that one time in season two when you went on tour with Chris, and in season five when you threatened to divorce Nathan, you were perfect.
Peyton taught us how to be different.
Peyton never actually enjoyed cheerleading. She did it for her mom and for Brooke. Peyton loved music, art, and drawing. Even though Brooke was the bubbly, happy, typical high school girl, and Peyton was the dark, twisted, loner girl, they were still best friends. After graduation in season five, Peyton worked for a music label in Los Angeles, California. She was the assistant to the assistant of a really horrible boss who thought he was the messiah. He embodied the industry's negative aspects, and Peyton realized that she no longer wanted to be part of the mainstream, boring, overrated, and corrupt Los Angeles music world. She quit her job, moved back to Tree Hill, and started her own music label at TRIC. Thank you, Peyton, for never conforming to society's social norms.
Lucas taught us that keeping our feelings a secret is a terrible idea.
Being in a creepy love triangle with two girls who are best friends sounds like the worst idea anyone has ever had. But, Lucas clearly didn't see it like that. How did he think it was going to work out? Just because Brooke and Peyton were attached at the hip didn't mean that they wanted to share the same boyfriend. He almost ruined Brooke and Peyton's friendship because he couldn't control himself. I know Peyton was at fault too but, c'mon, Lucas, get it together. Then, once again in season five, he gave Lindsey the same engagement ring with which he proposed to Peyton. Which, in my book, is just as bad as having an affair because there were clearly sentimental feelings attached to that engagement ring. If his face had stayed glued to Peyton's like it is in this picture, everything would have turned out fine. Thanks, Lucas, for making it even more difficult for women to trust men.
Brooke taught us how to be strong.
Brooke Penelope Davis taught us many things, but most importantly, she taught us how to be strong. For starters, she was pretty much on her own in high school without any parents to guide her (thanks, Victoria). Her boyfriend cheated on her twice with her best friend. She barely graduated from high school. She got attacked by a serial killer...twice, who then stalked her. She also attacked that same serial killer to get Sam back. She found out she couldn't have kids. And who could forget the time she was trapped in a car filling with water and sacrificed herself to save Jamie and almost died (thankfully, she made it). She also managed to start her own major fashion label in high school; took in a foster kid who we learned to love (go Sam!); she was an amazing godmother; she temporarily adopted a suffering infant then had to give her up again (what a tear-jerker that was); and then, finally, had two boys of her own (praise that miracle). All the while she never lost her Brooke-like charm that we grew to love so much. Thanks, Brooke, for never losing sight of yourself through all the struggles that you went through!
