 PLOT: SPOILER: Kate writes to Alex in one letter that because a man  died on Valentines Day, his death is what brought her back to the  lake house, and therefore, when she found Alexs first letter.  However, when Kate realizes in 2008 that Alex was that same man who  died on Valentines Day, she warns him not to find her in order to  save his life, and for him to find her at the lake house in another  2 years. Alex doesnt die, and he does meet Kate. However, if Alex  never died, then Kate never would have been compelled to return to  the lake house, and therefore, never would have begun correspondence  with Alex in the first place.