When Molly Halbert moved from York to Raleigh, North Carolina after getting married, Hallmark movies helped her stay connected to her mother.
“I would be in North Carolina, and she would be here, and we would call each other and watch movies together – that was our way to stay in touch while I was away,” she said.
The movies were a way for the two to bond while they were apart and would eventually become a beacon of hope and healing during Halbert’s divorce.
For many, Hallmark movies are synonymous with family-oriented tales of love and hope, as well as tons of new and original feel-good holiday movies produced each year.
And for Halbert, they are all that and more – giving her hope for happiness every day.
"Hallmark movies are all about love, they give you hope and faith. I started living my life that way after my divorce, and it (the movies) gave me hope that I had a future," said the mother of two.
Halbert teaches at the Nature School of York, which sits on seven acres of land surrounded by trees, gardens, plenty of chirping birds and what looks like a Hallmark movie set. “I know there is always something better coming in the next chapter, and I try to live in the present,” she said.
Her infectious enthusiasm for happiness, love and all-things Hallmark earned her the title as one of the movie channel’s fan leaders in the country, and first from York County.
Get ready for the holidays:Here's Hallmark channel's 'Countdown to Christmas' lineup
Official Hallmark movie fan leader
While watching the Hallmark Movie Channel wrapped in her blanket one Sunday morning, a commercial advertising a #1 fan contest caught Halbert's attention.
"It said, 'Are you Hallmark's number one fan?'" Yes, she thought. “Do you love Hallmark?" Yes again, she thought.
So, she did what any number one fan would do. The bubbly 40-year-old entered her information on the site and submitted a video of herself for the contest.
Although she did not win the title of "number one fan," three weeks later she received a phone call from Hallmark congratulating her on winning the role of "fan leader.”
She was later flown to Hollywood, where she met other fan leaders from around the country, received Hallmark merchandise, visited movie sets and more.
“The best part was every woman I met through this process is amazing. The fan leaders are genuinely kind, loving and compassionate people,” Halbert said.
Friends make fun of her love for Hallmark movies, but Halbert owns it, and her current approach to life is a reflection of the films.
"I have these amazing friends, I'm a nature schoolteacher, and I'm a single mom – it's amazing. I feel like my next is coming and I'm excited about it."
Lena Tzivekis is a Central Pennsylvania reporter. Email her at etzivekis@gannett.com, or message her on Twitter at @tzivekis
Most Popular
Comments / 0