No one ever quite knew what to do with Hart of Dixie.

Premiering in 2011 it was originally framed as the Rachel Bilson post-OC vehicle, like is Summer graduated college and went to Med School. It was a romantic comedy with more quirk than Zooey Deschanel in a Wes Anderson flick, and was oddly out of place among the rising giants of The CW superhero shows and supernatural dramas.

A sort of Gilmore Girls meets Sweet Home Alabama hybrid, it struggled to find its footing the first few episodes out the gate. Once it embraced its true nature as an ensemble show about an oddball town where people care about and love one another, it bloomed into one of the best shows on television. Hard stop.

It developed, it evolved, it allowed itself to ditch the love triangle (mostly) and focus on the fun, love, and support. It was a warm and fuzzy feel-good show, a rare thing to find on TV these days.

Bluebell is packed with gems, and I could wax on about the perfection of Lemon Breeland for months, but no one embodied the show’s transformation more than Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel).

A small side character that quickly developed into the competition for the love interest, Wade went from “bad boy on the side” to “heart-stopping leading man” in the space of a few short episodes. Propelled by Bethel’s natural charisma, outrageous chemistry with Bilson and a set of abs that just won’t quit his character grew and evolved, ending the series in a completely different place than where he began.

He also dropped some serious wisdom offering up life advice that is just some straight up solid real talk. Because Wade is perfection, because I still miss Hart of Dixie, and because this is actually a useful reminder, I have collected the 7 best pieces of life advice from Wade Kinsella.

7. Change Your Picture, Change Your Life

Maybe my favorite quote right here, this is all about taking responsibility for your life and your choices.

“You’re always looking over your shoulder wondering what life should be instead of taking it for what it is. You’re not honest about what makes you happy… it was your choice to stay in Bluebell, just like it was your choice to be a G.P. instead of a supersonic space surgeon or whatever. And it was your choice to go to bed with me. Clearly and something about everyone of those choices make you happy. The problem is they don’t match up with the picture you made up in your head about what your life should be.”

6. Get Freaky

As a bartender he was almost always giving love advice, and it was almost always for everyone to go get some. He’s not wrong.

“You’re single for the first time since Clinton was President and you’re spending it alone on boat when you should be naked with strangers, boat optional.”

5. Lady Friends Are Possible

OK, there is no real quote here, but one of the best parts about season three was the development of Lemon and Wade’s friendship without adding in any sort of romantic element. Practically unheard of.

4. Take The Risk

Love is always, always worth the risk.

“Maybe I’m not 100 percent sure that you wouldn’t hurt me if we started things, but I know that I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. And I guess that I realized it’s worth the risk.”

3. Owning Up

So, yeah Wade’s not perfect, and this was a bumpy ride, but rather than play games and hide secrets, Wade owned up to his mistakes. It was honest and painful, and frankly a good example for jerk boyfriends everywhere.

“The other day when you asked me, I wanted to pretend it didn’t happen. I couldn’t even admit it to myself. But I did a stupid thing.”

2. Call It Like It Is

Again no quote, but the gif makes up for it! Calling people out for being in love, for hiding something or just being up to general shenanigans, Wade called it like he saw it. Except when he was the one up to shenanigans.

1. Nothing’s Certain

An excellent speech-maker, this nails it. Find one true thing, and don’t let go.

“Life is full of uncertainties, Zoe. But if you have one thing, just one thing, you know is true, you hold onto that.”

So, here’s to trying to bring a little more Wade Kinsella into our everyday lives. If you’ll excuse me I have to go grab some Southern food and binge-watch the whole series again.

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Have a favorite Wade Kinsella moment? Share it in the comments below!

Hart of Dixie is available for streaming on Netflix.