One Tree Hill is an iconic teen drama. There are many ups and downs throughout the show, but it always comes full circle. There are so many lessons the viewer can take from the show. It may take place years ago, but the struggles are just the same.
1. Never give up on someone.
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Lucas and Peyton
Lucas had been pining for Peyton for years before they finally met. He tried to get her for a while before they finally dated. It didn't go smoothly, but eventually, they ended up together and exchanged vows. They didn't make it easy, with Lucas's commitment issues, Peyton's trust issues, and both of their familial issues.
Nathan and Haley
Their relationship seemed sudden and odd. They came from very different crowds. She was a tutor girl and he was a varsity athlete. Their relationship was strong and resulted in a very young marriage. Through thick and thin, their love for each other never wavered, even during their break. Nathan didn't give up on Haley during her tour and Haley never gave up on him during his depression.
Keith and Karen
Keith was in love with Karen for years. He watched her struggle as a single mom and helped her raise Lucas, despite him not being his own son. He waited patiently for her to be ready for him.
2. Be strong.
Lucas and Keith
Just as Lucas felt like his life was getting on track, he lost his uncle and father figure. He lost his way for a bit and fell into a depression. Instead of remaining angry at the situation, he overcame it and used Keith's memory as a motivator.
Peyton
Peyton went through innumerable situations. She was shot, her mother died when she was young, only to discover she was actually adopted. She found out she had a brother, but the man introduced as her brother was actually a stalker. And that was just high school.
Haley and Nathan
Together, they went through hell. There was the limo accident after their wedding, she got pregnant in her senior year, and they battled marital problems. Later on, Nathan's injury put a wedge in their relationship and their son got kidnapped by a nanny. Not to mention, Nathan's parents were not the easiest to handle.
Brooke
She essentially raised herself. Her parents were very absent during her teenage years. She was always being misunderstood and underestimated. No one ever believed in her. Once she got attacked in her store, she really had to focus on herself and stop being so hard on herself.
3. Don't judge people based on appearances.
Brooke
Pretty, popular, easy, rich, and mean.
She was beautiful and popular; however, life was not so easy for her. She wound up broke for a period of time and she was actually very nice, once you got through her rough exterior. She slept around because she didn't think highly of herself, but once she realized she was worth more she was kinder to herself.
Mouth
Odd, quiet, smart, lame, and nice.
He was one of the nicest characters on the show. He was always trying to help others. He was smart, but no genius. He loved technology and sports and so he thrived in his podcasts. He was not so quiet once you got to know him.
4. Love has no age.
Nathan and Haley: 17
They married young, and while they had some marital problems, they overcame them and remained together, for as far as the viewers know, forever.
Whitey and Camilla
They fell in love young, and they remained in love until she died. Whitey never got over her and continued to love his wife until the day he died.
Karen and Keith: 16
Keith fell in love with Karen in high school when she dated his brother. He helped raise his nephew and eventually she fell in love with him, too, at 33. He died shortly after, but Karen never stopped loving him.
5. Make the best out of a bad situation.
Haley and Nathan
No one really wants to become a parent at such a young age. Luckily, Nathan and Haley were in love and they stayed together. He was a great father and she was a great mother. They tried their best to give their child a great life while trying to continue theirs.
Lucas and Keith
Lucas wasn't raised by a father. Dan was never involved in his life, but his Uncle Keith was. Keith treated Lucas like a son. Lucas always had a male figure to look up to and a shoulder to lean on. Keith even represented Lucas in the father-son basketball game.
6. True friendship will remain.
Brooke and Peyton
They had been friends for years. Throughout their friendship, boys would sometimes get in the way, like when Peyton confessed her love for Lucas, Brooke's boyfriend. When it truly mattered, however, they always had each other's backs.
Lucas and Haley
They are always underrated as friends. They are an example of a truly platonic boy and girl friendship. Never once did they strike up feelings for one another. They may have disagreed with some of the choices made by the other, but when push came to shove, they were best friends.
7. Take a chance.
Peyton
Peyton took a chance in opening up Trik. She found a market for an under 21 club in Tree Hill that played good music. From there she opened her own recording company. North Carolina is not the biggest musical market, yet she was able to make a brand and create a career.
Brooke
Brooke had always been a fashionista. She took a chance and designed her own clothing line that led to a store. Clothes Over Bros became a famous company and it all started with her sketches.
Haley
She had always been private about her singing aspirations. She took a chance in performing at Karen's Cafe and then a bigger risk to perform at Trik, which led to a tour across America.
Lucas and Nathan
Both of the Scott boys took a chance on Quentin. They saw a boy who had incredible basketball skills who just needed more attention. They took him in and gave him more than sports guidance: they became his mentors.
8. Follow your dreams.
Haley
Haley was always afraid to sing in front of people. It wasn't until Nathan convinced her to perform at Karen's Cafe that Haley found the confidence. Eventually, she performed in front of a larger audience and Trik. She then got asked to join Chris Keller on tour. She didn't let anything get in the way of her and her dreams, but she did have to put her life on hold and take a risk.
Nathan
Nathan always dreamed of playing basketball in the NBA. He played basketball his whole life and practiced intensely to improve. He went through scouting and eventually made a college team. The show skips over his college career' however, he does make the North Carolina Bobcats team.
Lucas
Lucas was always an avid reader. He constantly looked to books and authors to learn about life. It was this passion that fueled his desire to write a book, later called An Unkindness of Ravens. It is never easy to write a book and even harder to get it published. He worked hard to tell his story and make his book known.
9. Love yourself.
Brooke
Brooke was always known as the pretty, popular girl in high school. People rarely took the time to get to know her for her. They jumped to conclusions about her based solely on her appearance. Brooke wasn't kind to herself. She let the assumptions be true and she relied heavily on boys for self-esteem. Once Lucas came around, she finally started to see herself in a better light. She took better care of her reputation and changed her image. People stopped seeing her solely as the pretty, popular girl and recognized her intelligence and generosity.
Millie
Millie feels like an unlovable nerd. She doesn't have much confidence or self-worth. She feels like her life is all about settling and that she will never have the life she always dreamed of. She works for Brooke, who seemingly has it all. She then falls for Mouth. After the kindness she receives from both Brooke and Mouth, she starts to realize that she is beautiful and deserving of love.
10. People don't ALWAYS leave.
Peyton/ Lucas/ Nathan/ Hailey/ Brooke
The one constant throughout the show is the connection between the five main characters. Despite fights and Lucas and Peyton moving away, the five friends always have each other's back. Peyton says in season one that "people always leave," but despite everything -- a shooting, a stalker, marriage, babies, boyfriends, and fame -- the five of them stuck together and made it through.
