It’s kind of crazy that Christmas is my least favorite holiday, but I will never miss an episode or a movie of anything Hallmark Christmas. There is something about the magic of Christmas coming from Hallmark that makes the holiday make sense. Yes, I know what Christmas means, but I have never had a good time with the holiday.
And here I am – watching the final episode of Christmas at Sea – and I am smiling from ear to ear. Seeing the joy that radiates from everyone in this series, and all of the people on the boat, really reminds you that we’re watching something special.
There is something special about Hallmark actors, but seeing this show, there is something even more special about the fans. Each one brings their own sense of joy, and you can tell that Christmas isn’t just a word for them. It’s an experience and a joy in their life.
And that – when I look at it that way – changes everything.
THE FAMILY
The Vermeers are adorable. The way that this family embraces all the craziness and well still stands beside each other – I love it. They are the way that families should be. Kerry – she’s the way that moms should be – always fighting for their kids to have the best time.
She and the girls are embracing every moment they have together. They know how the moments matter, and these will be the moments that they never forget. 50 years from now, they will look back on this as one of those core memories. These moments are the ones that they’ll be able to reminisce on forever
I couldn’t help but love that these women were going to be able to look at the cruise the following year and be like Remember when and omg I am glad they didn’t show that.
What made me cry was that Kerry was a ride or die for her daughter. When she saw Tyler Hynes walking past the basketball court with Benjamin Ayres, she ran over to get them to come in.
All Paige had wanted from this cruise was to meet Tyler. She tried to hold herself together, but was instantly smitten. I, for one, was glad she couldn’t. Paige was allowed to let her fandom flag fly. She’s supposed to be having fun, and she was. She got to have fun on her own terms and meet him on her turf – the court.
One thing that I have learned about Paige through this whole thing is that her love for her family is unconditional, but I hope that she finds the time and space to praise herself. She’s worked hard and has so much in front of her. Sometimes it has felt like she doesn’t see her worth, and that really is hard to see.
Because when I look at the Vermeer girls, I see strength and beauty and unconditional love. I see excitement and growth. I see these women who are reminding us all that there is no dream too big or too small – you can achieve what you want to and what you work hard at.
It was fun to watch them play basketball and really just enjoy themselves. I may not be able to shoot a basketball, but I appreciated the reminder to enjoy the moments.
Oh, and Paige… way to beat them all at basketball. 😊
THE WEDDING
Yes, I cry at weddings – even weddings on the television screen. Donna and Rob have been through so much, and his making sure that she has the wedding of her dreams was priceless.
Every time you watch the actors of Hallmark movies on the screen or even on social media, you know that they are a community. They are a community that cares about each other and their fans.
Paul Campbell is planning this wedding (we’re guessing with some help from production), their bridal party, Tyler walking Donna down the aisle, and more – it was just a beautiful moment. Everyone there was supportive of these two.
And that made me cry. Weddings are beautiful (at least the ones that I have been to), and having this be pulled off was straight-up Christmas magic.
The thing is, Hallmark knows a thing or 10 about a love story. They know how to process the moments, the reactions, and they are genuine with them at this wedding. Each one of them looks that they are honored to be there for these two.
Donna and Rob – couldn’t be happier for you. Understood Rob’s fear of messing everything up, but I also think that these two move so in sync that these two could just be “you know what I am gonna say,” and they would know.
I am not a person who always finds the positive in life, but moments like their wedding remind me of all of the reasons that there is always something to be positive about.
Tomorrow is not promised. You only have what is now.
THE SISTERS
Victoria and Laura – you may remember – had given their script to Sarah and Ben, who passed it to Paul Campbell and Kimberly Sustad. I am being dead serious when I ask this – did Paul even sleep on this cruise? Cause I am going with no. The man is up to everything for everyone.
He and Kimberly read part of her script and gave advice. For Laura, this was the opportunity of a lifetime and one she was eating up (as she should).
There wasn’t a moment on this cruise for all of the people that they were following their dreams and living in all the Christmas magic. These two – Victoria and Laura – are so passionate, and seeing them get this moment, as well as later on, Andrew and Taylor acting out a scene! I die for them.
Sisters are built in besties, and these two are definitely besties. They lift each other up, and if one is going to succeed, they both are. They experience joy together, and this cruise has brought them a lot of that.
You can’t help but love their devotion to each other. They are going to always be there for each other.
I love them.
Laura made them great gowns for the Hallmark ball that night, and they closed out the cruise with all the love they started with and even more.
THE BESTIES
We all need to be Gail and Alicia. The way that they put their friendship first and have actively worked to nurture that every single day is inspiring.
It’s the last night of the cruise, and these two are making sure that they leave this cruise knowing that 46 years of friendship have never gone to waste. If anything, it’s helped them become better people – people that will watch out for each other and that will never change.
I think that from the moment that these two walked onto the screen, the one thing I knew was that they were soulmates. Their friendship was ingrained in them and was a part of their joy.
And everyone deserves joy.
Gail and Alicia – these two have shown all of us what friendship is about. They’ve journeyed through the storms and made it. This cruise was a celebration of their friendship and their birthdays. And they’ve definitely done that.
For Carole-Oke and writing a song to celebrate friendship as a surprise for the ball that night – what great moments that they’ve shared with us. I really hope that they know just how special they are.
OTHER THOUGHTS
I normally make a list for other thoughts, but I just loved the way that it ended. Jonathan Bennett is a great host, and he reminded everyone on the cruise just how appreciated they were. Sometimes, as Hallmark fans, we just think Oh, we’re fans and enjoy the movies.
But Bennett reminded everyone that we’re all a part of the Hallmark family. And that got me to thinking – maybe that’s part of why we all love the channel so much.
The community of it all.
I don’t know about you all, but I will take that, love that, and I hope that will always be a part of my life.
