Call The Midwife: 10 Favorite Trixie Franklin Moments

#10: First Appearance

Like any great show, “Call The Midwife” has grown and changed over 12 incredible seasons — but one thing we can always count on is Trixie Franklin.

In her first appearance in the opening minutes of Season 1, Episode 1, Trixie is the bright, eager and intelligent woman we know today. She greets newcomer Jenny at Nonnatus House warming, and with her particularly Trixie-esq way of speaking, lets Jenny know that she's extremely excited for reinforcements. She’s every bit as fun-loving as she is hardworking. Even her signature sense of style, complete with characteristic blonde locks done up just right, is recognizable the minute she pops on screen.

#9: Meeting Matthew

It’s not quite love at first sight for Trixie and her future husband Matthew Aylward. After all, Matthew is already married to someone else.

But this moment nonetheless proves to be pivotal in Trixie’s life. She helps Matthew’s wife Fiona deliver a baby boy — and if that were the end of it, things might look much different now. Unfortunately, Fiona passes away from leukemia not long after having her son, and Trixie becomes a family friend and much-needed shoulder to cry on.

Little does she know, she’ll be a lot more than that by the end of Season 12!

#8: Giving Tom and Barbara Her Blessing

Trixie’s rollercoaster love life has kept us all on the edge of our seats, but this moment is a real heartbreaker.

For the uninitiated, it’s important to know that Trixie falls in love with dashing Reverend Tom Hereward. (Don’t worry, Trixie/Matthew shippers — you still get your happy ending!) They’re engaged to be married and everything is going perfectly … until it’s not. A reassignment from the church leaves Trixie wondering if she’s really cut out to be a reverend’s wife, and our star-crossed lovers eventually call off their engagement.

But the drama doesn’t end there. Tom later begins dating Trixie’s close friend, Barbara Gilbert — and if that doesn’t sound like the plot of your favorite reality TV show, nothing does. Although it takes a while for poor Trixie to come to terms with this relationship, she decides to do something truly touching. She doesn’t just give Barbara and Tom her blessing; she also gives her ex-fiance a little well-placed advice on the proposal.

Look at our girl — selfless even when her own heart is breaking.

#7: Temporarily Leaving Nonnatus House

There’s an endless list of reasons to love Trixie. Her inimitable fashion, bright sense of humor and dedication to her work make her one of the most memorable characters in the “Call The Midwife” world. But for many, what makes Trixie so incredibly important is her strength in the face of alcoholism.

Despite her cheerful disposition and apparent confidence in even the most stressful contexts, Trixie struggles to control her drinking. It’s part of what makes her so beautiful and complicated: She’s doing her best, but the world isn’t always kind to her — and just about everyone can relate.

We’ve seen Trixie face the difficult reality that she’s an alcoholic. We’ve also seen her join support groups and work hard to protect her sobriety. That’s why it’s so hard to watch her relapse after breaking off another romantic relationship, this time with one Christopher Dockerill.

Fortunately, Trixie isn’t alone. She’s brave enough to admit her struggles to Sister Julienne, who helps find her the time off she needs to get treatment. Although this means temporarily leaving Nonnatus House, it’s the right move — and an inspiring one for anyone needing encouragement to ask for help.

#6: Trying Something New

When Trixie receives a holiday letter from her godmother, she can’t wait to spend her annual gift on a new addition to her wardrobe. Unfortunately, she’s in for a surprise — and not a particularly festive one. Her godmother has paid for Trixie to see a matchmaker, a not-so-subtle hint that it’s time to get back on the romance horse.

It’s the thought that counts … but in this case, even the thought might not be overly considerate.

Not one to be discouraged, Trixie meets the matchmaker. She valiantly defends her decision to stay sober despite “compatibility concerns” and requests a match who loves her style almost as much as we do.

There’s a kind, loving husband in her future — but he’s certainly not on this matchmaker’s list. Instead, Trixie suffers through too many dates with men who just aren’t a good fit (*cough cough* because they aren’t Matthew *cough cough*). Hey, at least she tried something new!

#5: Receiving Barbara’s Cardigan

Get ready, everybody. This one’s a tearjerker.

Allow us to set the scene: Trixie, fresh off a heartbreak and a brief respite from the fast-moving world of Nonnatus House, finally returns. As she tries to settle into her old life, she finds her friend Barbara dead and her wardrobe destroyed. Poor Trixie. Things are certainly looking bleak.

Fortunately, Nurse Crane is here to remind us all that good friends — and a good sense of style — never really leave you. She gives Trixie a red cardigan that previously belonged to Barbara. It’s not just a reminder of the experiences these friends shared; it’s a gift that will literally and metaphorically keep Trixie warm in the chilly Poplar winter.

Anyone else need a second box of tissues?

#4: Helping Effie

While enjoying some fresh sea air in the Outer Hebrides, Trixie meets Effie — a young woman who also struggles with alcoholism. When Trixie finds Effie alone in the dark, passed out in the street, she takes the girl home and tries to sort out some complicated feelings. Effie is now dressed in Trixie’s own pajamas — a “Ghost of Christmas Past”-level reminder of the challenges our beloved midwife went through not so long ago.

Trixie takes action. She speaks on Effie’s behalf and even helps the girl’s aunt (and only remaining guardian) understand this troubled behavior. It’s a win for Trixie — a moment when she’s able to turn her own struggles into mentorship for someone else.

#3: Her Defense of Nonnatus House

All Trixie fans can tell she’s well-spoken, passionate and incredibly convincing. It comes as no surprise when her friends and colleagues nominate her to give a speech on their behalf.

And it’s no quick high school presentation, either. The Board of Health intends to cut the Nonnatus House budget by 50% and has offered this one chance — five minutes, to be exact — for Trixie to plead their case. No pressure.

The women band together, using decades of thank-you notes and signatures from over 600 patients to build a case. On the big day, Trixie bravely stands up and speaks with all the strength, conviction and grace we’ve come to love. She’s met with a chorus of applause from her colleagues and supporters.

In the end, Trixie manages to help protect Nonnatus House’s budget and secure its future. For now, anyway. In 12 months, financial discussions will begin anew and there will be more to do, more to learn, more to protect.

But for now, here’s to Trixie!

#2: “It’s My Job”

“Call The Midwife” fans could have endless — and no doubt very polite, civil, totally reasonable — debates over the best Trixie lines. No matter where you stand, you have to admit that this one’s a real contender.

We know just how determined and hardworking Trixie is. But one patient, Cherry Watson, doesn’t quite understand. Cherry has four children and another on the way, and her abusive husband won’t be happy about a new mouth to feed — and the woman wonders why Trixie spends so much time on a case that goes far beyond traditional midwifery. Of course, Trixie has an answer that’s as simple and elegant as it is meaningful and bittersweet.

“It’s my job.”

If you had any doubts left, fold them up and tuck them away. When Trixie says this, we can guess just how important all mothers and babies are to her.

#1: Getting Married (Finally!)

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Through lost friends, difficult times and even a broken engagement, Trixie has always remained good-hearted — and now that heart is being put to excellent use. At last, she’s marrying Matthew.

The wedding is every bit as beautiful as we want it to be. There are some hiccups along the way, sure — but nothing stops true love. Trixie’s friends, co-workers and patients come together to host a reception outside Nonnatus House, and it may just be sweeter than the romantic hotel the couple had originally picked out. Which is good, because that hotel is currently on fire.

It’s the love story we all wanted for Trixie. Our only regret: We didn’t get an invite.