Goodnight, One Tree Hill

I have to admit something. I have stopped watching One Tree Hill after season 6 (even though I intend on catching up this summer.) So I don’t know any of the new characters that joined the show after Lucas and Peyton’s farewell, but still the fact that it has ended broke my heart. Just yesterday one of the most influential teen/young adult TV shows came to an end – the only one of its time that actually dealt with real teen problems.

One Tree Hill was a part of my life for so long. I basically grew up watching it. I grew up teaming with Brooke even when she wasn’t the incredible character that she grew up to become. Brooke Davis was and always will one of TV’s most inspiring characters. We all have favorite female characters that come and go. They’re what’s called a trend. But there are a few characters that become your idols. And for me, and I think for everyone who watched One Tree Hill, Brooke Davis was an idol.

Julian: “Brooke Davis writes her own story like you did with your career and your company and with Sam. You choose your own path”

Brooke started out a slutty drunk cheerleader and she evolved to become an amazing friend, an incredible business woman, and a great mother. She didn’t let what the world thought of her define her. She didn’t let anyone tell her what she can and can’t do. And that’s why we love her.

Brooke: “I am who I am. No excuses.”

We watched her mend a broken-heart by triumphing everywhere else. After all she went through with Lucas, she stayed strong. She stayed the kind, passionate girl even after all the damage that her relationship with Lucas caused. We loved them together, but we knew she deserved better. And she knew that as well. She didn’t settle for just fine, she settled for the best. She settled for a great family and an awesome husband.

Lucas: “Brooke Davis is going to change the world someday, and she doesn’t even know it.”

And just like everyone else, I grew up rooting for Naley because they weren’t like any other couple on TV. They were so young but their feelings towards each other were so mature. And that’s why we weren’t surprised when they got married; we knew they could make it. Because if they can’t, no one can. They found each other every time because they’re meant-to-be…always and forever.

Nathan’s vows: “Last year we were sitting on the beach and I told you how much I love you, and how I would always, always protect you. And that day you made me believe that this would work. But I don’t think anybody understood the love that I have for you, because if they did then they would have never doubted us. So I wanted to marry you all over again in front of most of our world, because today when I look into your eyes, my love for you only grows. It’s even stronger now. And our love will never waver. This I vow to you, today and always and forever.”

They argued and they fought just like any other couple in the world. They were normal. They were real. They weren’t some fantasy created by the minds of the creators to create shipping fandoms. When some people were shipping Brucas and others Leyton, EVERYONE was shipping Haley and Nathan. If you didn’t, it’s probably because you have no heart. (Sorry.)

The friendships between the characters as genuine as could be and they were beautiful to watch. For years, we were invested in the relationship between the two estranged brothers, Lucas and Nathan. We watched as they became teammates and friends. We watched as Lucas became Jamie’s Keith. And remember when Brooke used to call Hayley “tutor girl” and they basically hated each other? Seasons later, Brooke became Haley’s son’s godmother. Because that’s how friendships are written, they’re tailored so graciously that you can’t help but cheer on to them.

Talking about Keith, the show refused to compromise to what networks thought was good teen TV. The show involved school shootings, stalkers, robberies, hearts eaten by dogs, and even school elections. It didn’t feed on scandalous drama to make it self successful. It became successful because it talked about stories the audience understand and related to. We saw ourselves through the high school characters in the earlier seasons and saw what we could become in the more recent ones.

We realized that dreams do come true, but life isn’t fair. They all became successful at one point in their lives: Nathan was a famous basketball player, Lucas published a book, and Brooke was a famous fashion designer. But they all went back home because home is where the heart lies. I know it’s cliched, but we fell for it. And we loved it. That’s the thing about One Tree Hill, it can make you hope again.

One Tree Hill was more than just a TV show. It was a phenomenon, a phenomenon that grouped fans from all around the world and directed them towards love, forgiving, and understanding. So to all the characters of the show, we thank you. Brooke, Peyton, Lucas, Nathan, Haley, Mouth, Jamie, Dan, Keith, Rachel, Sam and all the other characters that I didn’t get to meet yet, thank you. To all the people who created, wrote, and played those incredible roles, we thank you, too. You changed our lives. You truly did.