LUCKY TO HAVE YOU

Author's Note: Some of you might know that my fanfiction beginnings reside with another Hallmark series— Signed Sealed Delivered. I fell in love with that series for multiple reasons. Ultimately, I was just in awe of how series creator Martha Williamson weaved the themes of faith, providence, and timing.

After watching WCTH's S12E2 and hearing Nathan close the episode by saying, "I'm lucky to have you," I remembered how Oliver O'Toole (the main character of Signed Sealed Delivered) didn't believe in luck. He took it a step further and said, "Luck is the religion of the lazy." I don't think for a second that Nathan believes that, but I could see him pondering the theme of luck and how it plays into his relationship with Elizabeth and even life in general.

I firmly believe Nathan is a man of faith, even though we haven't seen much of that side of him on the show. There's a Bible in his book collection and a dictionary as well! (I got to peruse the bookshelf in his rowhouse while at the Hope Valley tour of the Hearties Family Reunion last September.) Therefore, I do think it's not a big stretch for him to think the way I describe in this mini fanfic!

I hope you enjoy what I write with love and a lot of heart. ️

September 18, 1921

Who would've thought I'd develop the habit of a journal? It has become second nature to jot down my thoughts every few evenings. There's been so much in my mind and heart since Elizabeth and I got together. Writing certainly helps make sense of things. My best girl has certainly shared as much, plus she says it's an excellent way to exercise gratitude. I couldn't agree more.

And that's precisely how I feel: grateful.

Of course, there's love-so much love words are not enough! But also, a profound sense of gratitude overflows, inspiring a desire to give back. That's precisely what I'm attempting with Oliver. Yes, he was an assigned recruit, but that shouldn't prevent me from supporting the kid like Elizabeth has done for her students for over ten years. She's an inspiration, that's for sure.

She said Oliver was lucky to have me. I don't know about that yet. I do know, however, that I'm the one who's fortunate to have her.

That got me thinking. People tend to throw the word "luck" and "lucky" around so much. It did feel natural to respond that way to my dear Elizabeth at that precise moment. But what does "luck" even mean?

Curiosity got the best of me one night, and I pulled Allie's dictionary from the bookshelf. It was interesting to note she has many dog-eared pages and multiple words underlined in pencil. It made me grin. If that wasn't Elizabeth's influence on her, I don't know what is. But I digress.

According to Webster's, "luck" refers to a force that brings good fortune or adversity. It also relates to events or circumstances that favor or disadvantage an individual.

Indeed, I'm lucky to have her. But it's so much more than that. It's deeper than that. There's something bigger at play, more than just the prosaic implications of the word "luck".

It can't be luck. Luck is a winning streak at cards. Luck is finding a shiny quarter in your path. It's getting the prize you want in the Cracker Jack box!

But Elizabeth's love isn't luck. Finding our way back to each other after so many ups and downs is not luck; our children getting along and loving each other like siblings is not luck.

Has God held me in His grasp all this time? Was it part of His perfect plan to place Elizabeth's love in my hands after so many years? Are we finally together because we've only just become worthy?

I sit here, and I can feel my heart thudding gently but insistently. And I know. It's not luck. It's God. And it's not fortune. It's His blessing. Because nothing else is a fit descriptor of what's going on between Elizabeth and me. It's a heaven-sent love meant to bless us both, as we're meant to bless our community—our perfect home that is Hope Valley.