"Grey's Anatomy" has been a staple of primetime television for over 10 years, thus it holds a special place in the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide. As the characters have come and gone over the years, we have accompanied our favorite characters on their journeys in love, career, and life. Some lessons they have taught us have a great impact on our lives and can never be forgotten.

1. You do not need anyone to complete you.

Love stories have always been a central part of "Grey's Anatomy," but they are not the only aspects of these characters that make them so compelling. None of them need relationships to make them whole because they can all stand independently aside from their romances. Derek and Meredith may have had a wonderful love story, but Meredith shines bright enough without a man by her side.

2. Your soulmate does not have to be a significant other.

One of the best relationships on "Grey's" has undoubtedly been Cristina and Meredith’s friendship. They’re each other’s person, after all, and it doesn't get any deeper than that. Boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives — you might be in love with them, but your best friend can be your real soulmate.

3. Sometimes life isn't very fair to you, but that doesn't mean you have to give up.

When everyone else but April passed their board exams, it seemed like the end of her career. But this was not the end for her — she came back stronger and better than ever because she did not give up. This was just one of the many times that "Grey's" showed us that when life throws curve balls at us, we cannot just give up on our dreams.

4. Losing someone important to you does not mean the end of your happiness too.

When Derek Shepherd died, millions of hearts were broken across the world along with Meredith’s. It was the end of an era — after 11 seasons of this beautiful and intense love story, half of the best couple on television was dead. But Meredith’s future did not die with him, it survived just with every other death she faced in her life. If dark and twisty Meredith Grey can find happiness again after all the loved ones she lost, there is hope for the rest of us.

5. It’s never too late to change yourself for the better.

At the start of “Grey’s Anatomy," Alex Karev was so unlikable that they literally called him Dr. Evilspawn. Who would have thought that he would become the sweet and sensible pediatric surgeon he is now? Just like Alex, we always have a chance to grow and become better people, even as adults.

6. We all make mistakes — and if surgeons who are responsible for literally saving lives can recover, then we can too.

Almost every single doctor on "Grey's" has made mistakes or broken rules so severely that we thought they would never recover. Izzie cutting the LVAD wire, Meredith tampering with Derek’s medical trial, Bailey infecting three patients during her genome mapping. The list goes on and on, but never did these surgeons let their mistakes be the death of them. Sure, they faced repercussions for their actions, but they all learned from their mistakes and moved on, a valuable lesson for all of us eagerly watching them mess up from home.

7. Your past doesn't define you.

Every character on this show had very different pasts. Jo Wilson, for instance, was raised by bouncing through foster homes and, eventually, was living out of her car. Izzie Stevens grew up in a trailer park. Meredith Grey was raised by a woman who showed no love or affection. Despite their backgrounds, none of them let their upbringing dictate what their future would be. They rose above their circumstances and chose their own paths.

8. Your friends can sometimes be more of your family than your relatives.

Family does not always mean blood. To these doctors, their bonds with one another were sometimes greater than their bonds with literal family. Sometimes your friends will be there for you when no one else is.

9. Love lives are often very messy.

"Grey's" sometimes feels like it has more heartbreak than surgeries. Love triangles, forbidden love, unfair circumstances — it’s had it all. While we have to sit back and watch our favorite characters be put through the wringer in terms of love, we also get a lesson in love ourselves. Perhaps it’s not always easy, but usually it winds up being worth it.

10. Sometimes you just need to dance it out.

And the most valuable thing that "Grey's"has taught any of us — dancing it out is always the best cure for any problem. Even medicine can’t fix what dancing does.