Well, it’s a done deal.
Sarah is an officially, genuinely graduated gal.
Nathan and Meagan got up at 2 a.m. Friday to fly in to be with her.
I snapped this picture of them as we were leaving our Airbnb for the ceremony Friday night. Aren’t they a lovely couple? Meagan truly has that pregnancy glow.
to help make the weekend special was Hope, Sarah’s friend from the sixth grade. She drove six hours round trip to be there.
Here are a few photos of them through the years: I love seeing how they have changed and grown up.
Hope helped me get some extra shots over the weekend. I loved this picture she got of Sarah.
It was a beautiful, balmy spring night at Regent University.
We had to park a little distance from the venue so Steve lined up a golf cart for us because we had a pregnant woman in our midst. I thanked Meagan for being pregnant so we could get a ride and she said, “Oh, I am always happy to do what I can for the family!”
Love my kids! (And I also want to thank Meagan for helping me get pictures over the weekend.)
And here’s a little trip down memory lane of May 2011 when Nathan graduated from Southeastern University, just 8 weeks before they were married.
As you can imagine, it was quite the emotional moment when we heard the name, Sarah Elizabeth Smith ring out over the P.A. system. Nathan got a video so you can share in the big moment with her. Even though we were sitting quite a ways back, you can clearly hear our loud rejoicings.
I wasn’t so emotional when her name was called but about five minutes after the fact, the reality of it all turned me into a blubbering mess. Our little girl, our cancer warrior, our miracle, was a grown-up grad!
I was even more emotional when Sarah told me that after each person walked across the stage, they were met on the other side by two people who asked each name and then spent a short time praying with them. How cool is that?
When the ceremony was over, the tears were replaced by hugs and smiles.
Sarah invited Mr. Charles, her tech booth comrade of ten years to attend the ceremony, and he graciously made the 4-hour round trip to be there.
A miscellaneous contemplative photo that I love.
Sarah’s roommate, Bec, was also at the ceremony and had fun celebrating with one old friend and one new one.
The ceremony on Friday night was where Sarah’s College of Arts and Sciences was presented their diplomas. The second ceremony on Saturday morning was much larger and included all the colleges with almost 2,000 graduates. Since everyone had already gotten their diplomas in earlier ceremonies, this gave them a chance to be all together and then, at the end of the ceremony, to flip their tassels while canons shot out confetti. Sarah said out of the whole weekend, that is the moment that made her tear up.
Sarah had planned a lunch at her apartment. She invited several friends she hangs out with, plus her roommate Bec and her boyfriend.
As you can probably tell from some of the photos below, they were a bunch of creative, dramatic folks with some of the funniest one-liners and quickest wits I have ever been around. It was basically an entire hour of non-stop hilarity. They even did a spontaneous improv skit game for us which required the moving of furniture, the flailing around of arms and limbs in limited space, and the emitting of high decibels of laughter.
Here they are hanging out at Will’s house the week before graduation. I am so thankful that Sarah found her tribe while at school.
After lunch, we spent another hour helping Sarah finish packing and cleaning and loading. We ran out of large trash bags and didn’t have any empty boxes, so we had to utilize every creative packing skill we had just to get things out the door.
Nathan and Steve then utilized THEIR skills to fit all her stuff into her and our vehicles, in addition to all of our luggage from the weekend. Let’s just say if there had been even more item to fit in, we would have been sunk.
At last, it was time for Sarah to say her final goodbyes to university life . . .
to her roommate, Bec, who will be back next year . . .
and to her good friend, Will. (He was trying to even out their heights.)
When we first got to her apartment before the party, I wandered into Sarah’s room and saw this card from Hope, Sarah’s earrings, her camera and most importantly, her key card ready to be turned in for the last time.
I had a teary-eyed mama moment
The key card reminded me of the day 3 years ago when Steve first put her college key on her ring . . .
and it reminded me of the teary goodbye in her first dorm room. . .
as well as the miracle of having her oncologist on the premises her first day at university. (You can read that amazing story here.)
A lot has changed from this person visiting Regent for the first time . . .
to this grown-up gal–graduating!
Seventeen years ago, we were told our daughter had less than a 15% chance of survival.
And when she relapsed four years later, those chances went down to about zero.
And then when, against all odds, she DID survive, we were told that due to the large amounts of chemo she received, she would have massive learning disabilities.
What we were not ever told was that one day, our daughter might walk tall across the stage at a highly-ranked university.
But this past weekend, we saw it.
And we saw the future we never dreamed we could hope for.
So very proud of you, sweet girl.
If you would like to send a card:
Sarah Smith
127 Raleigh Wood Dr.
Manteo, NC 27954
Oh my gosh, such a heart warming story. I remember the very beginning of Sarah’s journey and wondering why as she and Hannah played , that she would walk on her toes.
Congratulations to Sarah.
Lots of love from the Perry family.
Hi Ronna,
Great to hear from you!
It’s fun to think that the girls played together all those years ago. Such special memories.
Congratulations Sarah!! What a lovely post and a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness! Sarah is a miracle no doubt!
Heather,
Miracles and reminders of goodness. Your comment summed it all up perfectly.
YAY! For Sarah! And for all the Smith’s that helped her get there! I’m so glad that she had family and friends there to enjoy the moments with her. What a special time! God Bless you all!
Krista,
Thanks for “yaying” with us and for following along with our story. Have a great rest of the week.
Congratulations, Sarah! Now for a dish towel cause I’m just all sorts of crying good tears, grateful tears!
Guerrina,
I love the thought of needing a dish towel rather than a Kleenex. So funny and descriptive.
Well, I got duck bumps watching that video and then very teary eyed (will leave the blubbering mess to you). My heart is so filled with thankfulness and the Lord bringing her from the first time I saw her at our church (at that time) when she was 2 years old, until now. Bless you Sarah – watch out world – here she comes!!!!!
Sharyn,
I keep forgetting you have known the Smith family longer than just about anyone who reads the blog–except, of course, for her family. Over two decades!
Thanks for being a faithful Smithellaneous friend.
Hi again Becky, you know I am in the Raleigh area and on my linkedin account am officially listed as a PR consultant though I haven’t worked in 27 years, however from time to time I get e-mails about PR jobs in the area, when I get them I can pass them on to Sarah to see if she would be interested!!
Dale,
Thanks so much; that would be GREAT!
Glorious day for all of you–what hope and victory in our wonderful Jesus!! Ruth
What a joyous day! Wish we could have been there. So proud of Sarah!
Love, Deb
Deb,
Wish you could have, too!
Congratulations Sarah! You’re amazing!
Michele,
Thank you for encouraging words!
WOW – What a true testament to miracles! I loved everything about this post, but it should have come with a kleenex warning! I especially teared up at the picture of you after she walked across the stage. I’m so very happy for all of you that you got to experience such a momentous occasion. (And how thoughtful of Megan to conceive a child so y’all could secure a tram ride – I always thought she was a special lady 🙂 ) In all seriousness, Megan looks wonderful; I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since Nathan graduated; and I truly enjoyed getting a little peek of the festivities through all your wonderful pictures!
Sue Ellen,
I know. I tear up all over again when I see that picture!
And yes, I am very grateful for Meagan’s thoughtfulness in getting us that tram ride. 🙂
What an amazing weekend for all of you. Did Sarah know that Hope was going to be there or was that a surprise? So happy for all of you!
Nicole,
Sarah knew Hope was coming; she was so excited to have her there.
Congratulations Sarah! I can certainly see why Mom would get more than a little teary eyed. Looking at her graduation pictures, one would never dream what she had gone through years ago. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Phyllis,
It was definitely a weekend full of thanksgivings!
Amazing!!! Hip Hip Hooray! Great pictures, a wonderful celebration.
Lesley,
Hip hip hooray, indeed!
What a GREAT GOD we serve! So very proud of you and thankful with you, Sweet Sarah. You are indeed a warrior. Your story is one reminding us all to never loose Hope and stay Grateful for every day. Yes, I cried reading this post. What a joy to have watched from the sidelines all these years. We sense the victory of this milestone. Looking forward to all God has in store! Much Love!!
Sheri,
“Never lose hope. Stay grateful for every day.” Those are some of the best life lessons.
We so appreciate you and Frank and your family for all the prayers, support, and friendship through Sarah’s journey. Love you guys!
Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations and Becky, you certainly know how to made someone cry on this sunny morn! Loved all pictures, especially the one of you tearing up after her name was called, my daughter is not a cancer survivor but went through a lot and when they finally called her name at her college graduation ceremony, I did the same as you…..and watching Sarah say good bye to the college and the friends she loved made me cry as well…..when my daughter graduated college in Kansas where we had lived for almost 20 years, we packed her up and moved her to NC because she had chosen to come live with us…..I too came across your CB page in 2006 and this has been an amazing journey for all of us if you don’t mind me saying that……Is she planning to stay in Manteo for the summer?
Dale,
I agree. There is nothing that can quite prepare a mama’s heart for seeing a child walk across that stage.
I am always extra grateful for my blog readers who have been around for a long time and thirteen years is an INCREDIBLY long time. Thank you for taking the journey with us!
Sarah will be in Manteo for the time being; they held her job for her at Food Lion which we are thankful for. She is putting out applications for jobs and internships in NC and Virginia so we will wait and pray and see what transpires.
Congratulations Sarah from another teary eyed reader. What a true miracle and may your future hold everything you are dreaming of.
Kathy,
Thank you for your sweet words. I love it when we are teary-eyed for a GOOD reason!
Congratulations to Sarah! What an accomplishment! You truly are a miracle. Looking forward to reading what is on the horizon for Sarah.
Liz,
Yes, I am interested, indeed, to see what is on that horizon!
Oh Sarah. I am very willing to bet that I am not the only teary-eyed reader this morning! Congratulations!!!!!!! You are amazing and I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished. Big hugs!
LeeAnne,
Tears and hugs shared among the Smithellaneous family is a beautiful thing. Thanks, LeeAnne, for your words.
Hey all the Smiths 🙂
I have been checking and checking your website, Becky, hoping you would update 😀 ANd horray . That was just such an emotional post . Emotional pictures .Argh I feel so emotional and I almost teared up . I remember back in 2006 when I found Sarah’s CB site and she just had relapsed and look and her now? I am so proud of her and happy for you all 🙂 It was also fun to see the old pictues of Sarah and her friend I rememember those 🙂
Speaking of friends is Sarah’s childhood friend doing well too? And when is the next Smith baby due ? I cannot remember 🙂
And I jjust want to say a big congrats to Sarah . Well done 🙂
Katrina,
Thank you so much for celebrating with us.
Sarah’s other childhood friend, Victoria, is doing well. She and Sarah have stayed in touch. Victoria is about to enter veterinarian school.
And the next baby is due the first week of September.
So very proud and happy. God is awesome and Sarah has achieved her goal. I don’t think she ever doubted she would make it. Pictures are great. Truly a dream come true. Enjoy and may she find that perfect position for her. To God be the glory.
Ann,
Yes, we are definitely praying for just the right job for her. Thanks for celebrating with us. She enjoyed getting TWO cards from you and Jim! 🙂