Frankly, throughout my childhood and teenage years, I had never heard of the show, not its name, or it's actors, except for Chad Michael Murray, because who doesn't remember A Cinderella Story with Austin Ames? Sophomore year of high school, I took it upon myself to begin watching of what I only saw tweets and videos about:

Nathan and Haley are relationship goals.

Lucas and Peyton were always supposed to be together.

Brooke Davis embodies courage, and is independently sufficient.

Basketball brings an entire community together.

Although it is categorized as a teen drama, to me, it is so much more than that. One Tree Hill is now a foundation for so much of my life. It has opened my eyes to things I never imagined. Things I did not know are possible. Things I aspire to be. Things I cannot wait to have. The show conveys sentiments of strength and love. The entire show illustrates the lives of young teenagers who blossom into successful, amazing adults.

I can confidentially say, with no shame, that it is not just a television show. It has given me hope for a future I will have. The show illuminates successes and failures, and proves that both are okay, and that failures don't define you. I believe that was a significant aspect of the show. Lucas grew up with a father who was perfectly fine with abandoning him, Haley experienced a lot of doubt with balancing a new marriage and a music career, Brooke dealt with a life that she no longer wanted, Nathan who presented himself as a heartless jock, was actually in search of true love and acceptance. So many experiences, and none defined them. They acknowledged their situations and bettered themselves. They all realized that they were living lives they didn't want futures as, and decided to make changes. Their marriages and friendships are NOT perfect, but it is still okay to wish for some as beautiful as theirs. One Tree Hill and its nine seasons, has given me and the fans of OTH, a light. It just makes me really sad that I am not able to watch Season 8, Episode 22 on a night when I need a familiar comfort. It is more than a show, it is now a piece of me.

I cannot wait for the boy who "chose mint chocolate chip because [he] knew it was my favorite flavor”.