This past weekend, I had the best weekend of my 21 years. It’s been 4 days since it ended, and still that’s all I can think about. If you frequent my blog, then you must know that One Tree Hill is in my list of top 10 favorite things of all time. Nathan especially, but mostly just the show in general.
One Tree Hill found me during a really hard time in life, (hello freshman year of college) and it just made me so happy when I watched it, and I became so invested in these characters lives that I obsessed over them, and made a goal to eventually “Return to Tree Hill” where it all began.
One year ago I started saving up. These conventions aren’t cheap. Even though I knew that if I wanted to go it would have to be all my own money, and it would have to be something that I worked for, it was so worth it. I mean, I got to meet these characters who I have been in love with for years. I got to meet the person who plays Nathan FOUR TIMES. And, he’s still just as handsome as when the show was on, maybe even more so.
I think my favorite part about going to this convention was meeting people from all over the entire world who feel the exact same way that I do about the show. It was magical, it was almost like the rest of the world didn’t exist for a weekend, all that mattered was One Tree Hill. I felt so free while I was there, I felt like I could do anything. I just loved it.
A big part of this weekend was obviously meeting the stars, but also they did a really great job of recreating a lot of the fun things that happened on the show, like the Halloween Party, and the Banquet, and the party at Dan’s Beach House. I loved going to these things and honestly really feeling like I was a part of Tree Hill. And eating dinner at the same table as Stephen Colletti was definitely the highlight!!
I also loved walking around Wilmington and seeing the real places that so much of this show was filmed. I saw the bridge from the opening scenes. I saw Karen’s Cafe, the Naley bench, I saw the river walk and the river court. It was unreal, that’s the only word I can use to describe it, unreal.
I went to this convention by myself. All alone. I knew no one. A lot of people didn’t get that when I told them. They were like, why? Aren’t you scared. And yes, I was scared to fly all alone, and be in a city I don’t know. But, I have spent so much of my life being too scared to do things so just not doing them, and I really want to change that. I want to be scared, but it can’t stop me from doing things that I want to do. It’s like the show says, “most people are stronger than they know, they just forget to believe in it sometimes,”-Kieth Scott.
And when I left I wasn’t alone, I made so many friend while I was there.
I am so so so so glad, happy and thankful that I took a chance and stepped out of what I am comfortable with and went on this weekend trip, so happy I did it. I don’t do enough things for me, I don’t do enough things to make me happy, and it was worth every single penny that I spent, every single one. It was the best weekend I have had. I wish I could go back right now. Thank you to everyone along the way who made it so amazing. There is so much more I want to say, but I think I’m still processing!
I hope I can “Return To Tree Hill” again sometime, but for now, the amazing memories and pictures will have to do!
Elizabeth Joy Hadley 