My WCTH Story: Part 2
I continue to share how I found When Calls the Heart and moved on from heartbreak on the show. This post Part 2 of 2.
Let’s dive right in as I continue sharing My When Calls the Heart Story!
Click below to read Part 1 if you missed it or need a refresher!
The Turning Point: I Became Team Nathan & Elizabeth
The moment I was firmly Team Nathan FOR Elizabeth was the Cabin Scene in Season 7 Episode 8, Into the Woods. However, before that moment I certainly felt and saw a deep connection forming between Nathan and Elizabeth as friends. They shared vulnerable moments and the push-pull aspect of any relationship, romantic or otherwise, was very apparent to me. I loved how they worked through their arguments by explaining their reasoning and apologizing for hurting the other’s feelings. A prime example is after the cabin scene when Nathan tells Elizabeth “You matter to me” and apologizes for his outburst. He acknowledged and complimented her bravery during the windstorm. In turn, she reveals it was never her intention to hurt Nathan when she accepted the “Not a Date” overnight trip to Union City with Lucas. As Seasons 7 and 8 progressed they shared many of these vulnerable moments and often helped the other see things from a different perspective. For me, this made Elizabeth and Nathan an intriguing match. Their imperfections were beautiful and fostered hard conversations that ultimately led to character growth for both of them as individuals and together.
Season 8 is among one of the most angst-driven and tumultuous seasons of When Calls the Heart. There were beautiful moments but there were also many moments of uncertainty and doubt. I held onto the hope and belief, against my better judgment, that Nathan and Elizabeth would end up together by Episode 12. When all was said and done that is not how it ended. Elizabeth picked Lucas, thus my heart broke for the second time. I was heartbroken and could not make sense of this new reality.
The Moment My Heart Shattered for the second time:
After Season 8 I was heartbroken. I felt misled, used, hurt, betrayed, confused, angry, etc. I was not able to reconcile why they would lead us on for 12 episodes and then throw it all away. I knew there was a 50-50 chance my heart would break. I didn’t realize it would be stomped on repeatedly after the finale and well into S9. I didn’t realize that my feelings would be harshly judged, invalidated, and mocked. All of that happened and left me wondering once again if When Calls the Heart deserved a place in my life. Nevertheless, I knew in my heart I would still watch the show to see Nathan & Allie’s story. However, I was not sure in what capacity or when I would watch. I had to completely shift my perspective on the show before Season 9. I wanted to minimize the chances of hurting again and guarded my heart. I could not survive a third heartbreak or disappointment with this show. But Nathan and Allie were my focus now. They couldn’t possibly break my heart, right?
I watched the Season 9 premiere with so much anxiety and nervousness filling my heart. I was guarding my heart and expecting the worst to make whatever blow they dealt next hurt less. I still had so many thoughts and feelings about past seasons and the current season. I struggled to put into words (in my mind) how I felt after the Season 9 premiere. My heart was pounding after the episode and I couldn’t sleep. That’s when I decided to create this account to share my thoughts and feelings as I ventured into uncharted territory. I was guarded yet hyper-focused on Nathan’s story which caused me to be over-analytical & focus on the negatives. Having an outlet helped me express those feelings and connect with people with similar opinions or stories. It felt like a relatively safe place on Instagram and of course, the Suspenders Unbuttoned Facebook group provided a haven for me too.
It was not until 3-4 months after Season 9 ended that I fully came to terms with the fact that Nathan was not Elizabeth’s choice. I still feel, and will always feel, that their love story would have been epic and the most compelling option. A part of me will always mourn the “what-ifs” and “what should have been” moments, but I am in a much better place now than I was two years ago. The wounds may be mostly healed but the painful scars will always be there. With that being said, I continue to make the conscious decision to still watch the show to support Nathan and Allie. They will always be my number one priority and my reason for coming back to the show.
Authors Note: These are my raw feelings and do not take into account Season 10 since at that point it had not aired or been renewed. However, they are still my feelings and have a place on this blog. It is important to my When Calls the Heart Story.
Approaching Season 10 & Waiting for Season 11:
I approached Season 10 with an open heart. I was ready for Nathan to find love again. However, In my heart, I felt Elizabeth was/is his one true and great love. I wanted it to be with Faith if they had to put him with a single lady on the show. As the season progressed I quickly realized that was not happening. I was still guarding my heart but wishfully thinking it could be Nathan and Elizabeth. This wishful thinking turned to hope in the last half of the season. Then the explosive last two episodes happened. All my wishful thinking and my hopeful heart turned into a reality. A reality I had given up on happening. This dream has lived in my heart and fanfiction for 2 years.
As we await Season 11, I am choosing to be happy and content with the Season 10 Finale. I am choosing to live in the moment and enjoy it while it lasts. My love for When Calls the Heart is no longer rooted in Elizabeth. It is now in Nathan and Allie so I will follow their journey until the very end. I am excited for Season 11 because I am confident we will see Nathan and Elizabeth continue on their journey to love. As always, Nathan and Allie will remain my focus along with whoever comes into their lives. I have a feeling that will be Elizabeth and Little Jack since they spent a good portion of the season inserting them into family situations.
Thank you for reading “My When Calls the Heart Story” and I hope you enjoyed it. Share your journey or story in the comments below.
Thanks for sharing your WCTH journey (So far) with us. I've loved the show since day one, but I had moments of doubt that the show could survive the death of Jack Thornton, but Alfonso really hit a home run with the introduction of Nathan and Allie, Lucas, and Fiona in season 6. I was disappointed when the passed on a blended family storyline in season 8, but was determined (like you) to continue to follow the other characters storylines (Especially Nathan and Allie). While I have empathy for Lucas fans, I'm glad the show seems poised to finally reward the long-suffering Nathan fans with a satisfying storyline for season 10/11.