Chapter 14
An interview with Luke and Sydney…
I love your second-chance story so much!
Sydney: Thank you! We do, too. Sometimes we can’t believe the way it all happened. I give Luke most of the credit. He never gave up on me. The way he rowed his boat over to check on me after I lost Seth and the kids… He’s the sweetest.
Luke: I couldn’t stay away.
Does it seem like it’s been fourteen years already?
Sydney: We can’t believe that! It’s so strange that I’ve been married to Luke twice as long as I was to Seth. I’ve always appreciated the way Luke keeps Seth, Max and Malena close to us as we make a life together.
Luke: They’re part of our family. We celebrate their birthdays every year, and our kids know they had an older brother and sister.
That’s so sweet! I’m afraid to ask about Buddy…
Luke: We lost him about six years ago, and we miss him every day. In his honor, we got two puppies who look a lot like him. We like to think he picked them out for us.
It’s not fair that dogs don’t live forever.
Sydney: I couldn’t agree more. I like to think that Buddy is with Max and Malena in heaven, taking care of them.
I’m sure he is. Tell us about your kids! What are they up to?
Luke: Lily is twelve and in seventh grade. She’s big into dance and theater and has a beautiful singing voice. Elias is nine and in fourth grade. He’s big into video games like Minecraft and loves comic books.
Sydney: In a total surprise, we had another son, Jonah, three years after Elias.
Jonah is in first grade and is the family comedian.
We would’ve said our family was complete until he showed up to prove otherwise.
He’s been such a blessing to all of us. To say our lives are busy is putting it mildly!
Congratulations on your second son! How exciting. Syd, are you still doing interior design?
Sydney: I am! I just did a big project for Joe and Janey Cantrell, who needed a space for their kids to hang out with friends. We did a basement rec room that they love. It helps to be friends with most of the island’s residents.
Luke, how are things at the marina?
Luke: Busier than ever. Big Mac still gets one of his “big ideas” at least once a year. The latest is a bocce court that the guests are enjoying.
Do you still restore boats?
Luke: I try to do one per year, and most years I sneak in a second one where I can. Elias has taken an interest and helps me a lot. It’s even more fun to do with him as my sidekick.
Sydney, your journey from tragedy to a second chance with Luke really touched our hearts. How did you find the courage to start over?
Sydney: I think a lot of it had to do with Luke, who’s been my rock through it all. His love and encouragement gave me the courage to continue dreaming, loving and hoping. I also appreciate the way he helps to keep Seth, Max and Malena present in our lives.
Luke: (reaches for her hand) She’s the strongest person I know. It’s an honor to walk through life with her by my side. And she’s a wonderful mother. Our kids are lucky to have her—and so am I.
Syd, how are your parents doing?
Sydney: Quite well, thank you. My dad has joined Big Mac’s morning meeting at the marina, and he enjoys that very much.
He also goes fishing with the guys while my mom is big into pickleball.
She and Linda play together a lot. They also travel together.
And of course, they love being grandparents and hosting weekend sleepovers.
Glad to hear they’re doing well. The get-togethers with family and friends must be quite something these days…
Luke: It’s a madhouse, and we love every crazy minute of it.
Sydney: We’re so blessed that our children are best friends with our best friends’ kids. What could be better than that?
Nothing at all!