savings advice

what does one use savings $$ for?

i have a savings account. and i'm happy about that. trust, it's nothing grand and is probably at the bank getting laughed at by all the six-figure savings accounts. but it's mine, nevertheless and it feels nice to have a cushion to fall back on, if need be.

problem is, what am i "saving" for?

whenever i have "emergencies" and i have to tap into my savings account (which i don't do unless it is absolutely dire), i feel relieved that i have the "extra" money at my disposal to help me in that situation. but at the same time, i grit my teeth at the thought of even touching my precious saved dollars, and i can't wait to replenish what i've stolen from it.

so i wonder, if i feel funny about using any of the funds for unexpected financial dilemmas, what am i ultimately going to use the savings for? and will i feel funny about using it then?

do i just keep letting it accumulate until i hit retirement age?
do i use it toward my wedding? expenses from the birth of my first child?
put it towards purchase of a home? furnishing said home?
a vacation trip?

or do people just save money and leave it in the account, just to be able to say they have "savings"?

to all the people who have this life stuff figured out, what is a good excuse to use your savings?