Tucked inside Wilmington, NC. you will find the home of "One Tree Hill." A Tv drama series focusing on the fight to keep friendships alive over the course of several years through life's toughest obstacles. Throughout the laughter and uncontrollable tears, the idea of leaving home becomes a theme. Whether it be from moving, careers, or the idea of escaping Tree Hill, one by one, someone leaves. As the saying goes, "Home is where the heart is" and soon The One Tree Hill locals find themselves back in Tree Hill. As much as they hate the town or the reason they left, it's the friendships that make the town of Tree Hill so special.

Sounds a little familiar, right? Living in Abilene, I have found myself wishing I were somewhere else often. Chasing my dreams seems easier in a town full of life rather than a city where the slogan is "Keep Abilene Boring."

Graduation was the key to freedom. It meant that college was just around the corner and the ability to leave the life we once became comfortable with for one that meant adventure and new beginnings. One by one, an Abilenian left, spreading all over the state to North Carolina, Oklahoma, and more.

For the ones left in Abilene, life became even more "boring" so you could say. The things that kept the city alive and fun happened to be the ones who wanted to be the first to leave.

That's when I realized something (or a wise friend did). It's the people who make the town.

Abilene isn't all that great but I will be the first to say that my friends are the best. From random adventures to movie nights, they made Abilene come to life. The city became more than Abilene, it became home.

We will always find ourselves having obstacles thrown our way but they never seem to bring defeat to us when we have friends surrounding us.

That's where Abilene comes to play. Living in this West Texas city, I have found myself having some of the most diverse yet incredible friends. Life has tugged us all to different careers and cities but the only thing keeping us sane is the friendships we are fighting for.

Just like in "One Tree Hill," friendships are important. Young or old, the people you choose to do life with say a ton about you. Lucas Scott left town with Brooke Davis to deliver a final assignment to Haley James Scott. They were willing to put their grades at risk to finish the year strong with one of their best friends.

So often, we don't realize how truly special friendships are. We are more focused on what life can offer us or how far we can run away from home to notice that "home is where the heart is."

"One Tree Hill" has taught me the lesson that friendships are home. I can be out of the country or I can be 10 miles away from a friend, but they bring me to life.

People make the town and I am glad to have friends who make Abilene, Abilene.