There are really no words to describe the emotions of the past few days so, at this point, I am not even going to try. Besides not having any brain energy remaining, I am also taking Nathan and his family to the Norfolk airport soon so I’ve just got a few minutes to post a few photos with comments.
The sign that made me teary-eyed every time I passed it.
Here is Steve’s first glimpse of Sarah.
Brother and sister. They’ve always had each others’ backs.
Sarah with all of her brothers. (The man nearest Gage is his best friend.)
Sarah is wearing the pearls Steve’s mom wore in her wedding 67 years ago.
Entering the cake reception with the amazing Meagan overseeing everything.
This picture is special because the man in the dark suit to the right of Sarah is Dr. Driscoll, her pediatric oncologist who basically saved her life and made the day possible. I could only imagine the emotions in his mind as he watched her enter the room.
Mama and sweet, sweet daughter. (We had a wedding dress crisis 24-hours before the wedding which I’ll tell you about later. But as you can see, it all turned out magnificently.)
The happiest couple.
To close, here is a special video we’d like to share.
Steve got the idea a couple of months ago about the two of us and Gage’s dad writing and singing a song for the bride and groom for their wedding. (Some of you may recall I also wrote a song for Nathan and Meagan’s wedding.)
The main focus of the song is that the richness in Gage’s and Sarah’s relationship has been born out of the suffering they have both experienced. (Most of you know that Sarah has had stage IV cancer and currently has a desmoid tumor but I don’t think I’ve mentioned that Gage has osteogenesis imperfecta.)
We had kept the whole project a secret from Sarah and Gage which was a challenge because Steve had to go to Fayetteville to the Long’s house for a couple of days to record. And we couldn’t work on the song when either of them was in the house. But we pulled it off!
Thursday afternoon, we gathered the couple, the parents, and siblings into a room and played the video for everyone. No one had seen the finished project except Steve and me.
Talk about an electric, emotional moment! Sarah and Gage cried and cried–all the way through it and several minutes after it was done. The rest of us were crying right along with them. It was also, of course, very emotional during the wedding itself.
(The title is based on Psalm 42:7)
Writers: Steve and Becky Smith/Stacy Long
Vocals: Steve Smith/Stacy Long
Engineer/co-production: Caleb Long
Acoustic guitar/fretless bass/co-production: Steve Smith
Violin: Raegen Kringle
Video: Becky Smith
Of course, there will be many photos and stories to come. Thank you for rejoicing with us, praying for us, and for all the emails, comments, notes, cards, and gifts you have shared. So many of you have walked Sarah’s journey together with us for a lot of years and that makes this past weekend all the more special to share with you.
Beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful! Everything about it was beautiful. Congratulations!
Oh my goodness! This is just the best, most precious post and one I am so very thankful for! Happiness abounds and I can’t wait to see more. Sarah looked absolutely stunning and her Mama looked so lovely with a very handsome groom (loved the hat – so dapper) and a handsome Dad! I love the line of brothers as well!
What a beautiful, emotional song.
Everything was just wonderful all the way around.
Continued prayers for the Longs and the Smiths!
Thank you for the video Becky. Sarah and Gage are an adorable couple. Their love for each other is heartfelt. Sarah is truly a beautiful lady and gorgeous bride. It really warmed my heart to see ‘love’ written all over Gage’s face and expressions. He was ‘thrilled’ to be ‘in the moment’ with Sarah!! What a strong testimony of God’s power to bring two people together. Becky, you looked fabulous also, loved your dress!! The photo of Pastor Steve seeing Sarah in her wedding dress is priceless!! Love to my Manteo, NC Smith family
I hope you had a good trip taking Nathan and family back to Norfolk. I imagine the emotions tonight when it’s just Steve and you and Summer will be high!
I loved the video and song. The pictures of Gage with his leg and arm casts were unexpected! He was a cute little blondie. The look on Steve’s face when he saw Sarah for the first time in her wedding dress was priceless!
I wonder how many weddings of patients Dr. Driscoll has been to. What a great feeling he had to have had.
Phyllis,
I don’t think there are many weddings he has attended; sadly, so many of his patients don’t ever get old enough. That made it extra special for him and sweet wife to attend. It was an immense privilege to have them there.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give us this update! What a delight to see the gorgeous pictures and hear a bit from you. We all know you are exhausted–after our first daughter’s wedding, one of my friends said “there is no tired like mother-of-the-bride tired!” And certainly you have had way more than usual with which to contend. I pray that you will be able to get some rest in body, soul, and spirit. I suspect the precious memories of Saturday will do a lot to comfort and restore you!
I cried so many times during the ceremony watching this amazing couple come together as one. The video had me crying as well, so beautiful. This wedding was the most beautiful, touching and loving one that I had ever witnessed. Thank you so very much for this incredibly beautiful day with all of us. Sending love to you all.
I just watched the video again. I can only imagine how special that was to all of you. The wedding was just perfect and Sarah looked gorgeous in her dress, and both bride and groom were just radiating happiness and love throughout. Thank you, thank you for sharing this special time with all of us in Smithellaneous land!
I have been part of Sarah’s praying fan club since 2005, I believe. What a blessing to see her precious life joined with Gage’s! I know God has tremendous plans for them. I pray they are enjoying a relaxing honeymoon and come back rested and ready to fight this tumor. I can’t wait to read all of background stories after watching the ceremony. I may have missed it, but did you explain the 1:43 start time for the wedding?
Lisa,
143 is the number of letters in I Love You. 🙂
Where do I start?? The wedding was beautiful…colors, flowers, music.Thank you all for sharing your day with all of ‘us’ out here. The song was beyond beautiful. Very nicely done, dads!! I cried too. Sarah and Gage are so fortunate to have that keepsake of their wedding day. Gage was so emotional and it was so fun to see them interact. I really loved the sword and purity ring and the foot washing as well. They really put a lot of thought into making their wedding special, personal and memorable. Sarah was just breathtaking! Her dress was perfect for the vintage theme. Becky, yours was too and you looked so nice in it!
I just keep looking at the pictures trying to make myself believe that Sarah is a married woman now. I am so happy for her and Gage and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness!!
Lee Anne,
We were so thankful to find that lovely dress for Sarah on our first trip out. As it turns out, we didn’t have a lot of time for dress shopping with Sarah’s illness, so we are grateful it happened that way.
I am not sure I can find the words to adequately express the joy, the admiration, the happiness I feel for Sarah, Gage, and their families. The video just has me all misty-eyed right now — simply lovely and beautiful on so many levels! Congratulations!!
Tears of joy at what God has done – what beautiful photos! And what a beautiful video to declare His great goodness, grace and mercy! I know no parent would want to go through what your families have endured over the years with health trials and uncertainties ever looming, but I can certainly say your testimony has always glorified Christ and brought me, personally, closer to Him….probably others, too. I am so happy for Sarah and Gage and all of you! What a joyful occasion!! Congratulations!
Such a beautiful wedding. Such a beautiful bride and adorable groom. More pictures, please!!!
Comment would be longer, but I’m currently a wet puddle after watching the video.
Sometimes I have no words…only, BEAUTIFUL!
Yay! Congratulations!
When I heard the song/saw the video, I knew that had to be written just for them! The wedding was lovely, and I’m so very glad Dr. Driscoll was there.
Sarah’s dress is beautiful, and the one you chose for yourself is lovely as well.
Can’t wait to hear all of the “rest of the stories” of the wedding preparations and the event itself.
Such a blessing to see your pics and the video. A beautiful love story of you all. ❤
Sarah and Becky, you both look stunning! And perfect weather to boot! I can’t even begin to imagine the waves of emotions for all of you and Dr. Driscoll. All I can say as I sit at my computer viewing the pictures is, “Thank You, Jesus!”
Matrimoni e vescovati sono destinati dal cielo! Evviva gli sposi! (Italian)
Marriages are made in heaven! Long live the bride and groom!
Guerrina,
Love the touch of Italian!
Beautiful beyond words! Thank you for taking the time to share when you must be exhausted.
Fantastic and beautiful photos …
fantastic and beautiful family…
fantastic and beautiful wedding.
Loved Daddy seeing Sarah.
Oh that song and that video made me cry, how incredibly beautiful and moving. And Sarah’s dress was absolutely beautiful, I started to watch the live stream on Saturday before it got cut off and I teared up when I saw Nathan escort Vernie in…..
Dale,
Make sure you go back to the live stream; the service should be all there. It was taken down temporarily due to copyright on the songs.
Dear Becky, thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos and the video this morning! (Especially considering that you should be resting!) Hoping that you will find time to rest, relax and refresh today. We look forward to more wedding photos and memories in the days to come. When you talk to the bride and groom, please pass along our best wishes and hugs. Love, Fred & Lucy
I can imagine how current neuroblastoma families feel when doctor Driscoll tells them that he was just at the wedding of one of his former patients. A light of hope shines.
What a beautiful wedding in every possible way.
Ellen,
The day after the wedding he emailed to ask for a couple of pictures to share there at the hospital.
Thank you for YOUR part in making the day shine brighter.
The song and video made me cry “happy tears” for all of you!! You can feel the love through your words and in the pictures! Everyone is glowing! Thank you for having us share in all this joy in your lives! Much love to you all!! – Tammy
I have goosebumps listening to the song and watching the video again. What a special gift. Thanks to the Smith and Long family for sharing such a special day with the world via Facebook Live. I feel so honored to have been a “virtual” part of the amazing day. Love seeing the photos and look forward to more pictures and stories from the last few days.
Love the photos. The video was so special. Thanks for making the video available to those of us who have watched and prayed for Sarah since her Caring Bridge days. What a miracle and blessing this wedding was. Prayers for the couple as they begin their wedded life, and prayers for the family as they relax and recover this week.
Just wow! I watched the wedding on line and cried happy tears. I just watched the video and cried more happy tears. The wedding ceremony was just so perfect. The whole sword thing. Amazing! What a wonderful Christian family Sarah has married into. And the same for Gage. I’ll say it again. A definite God thing!
Sarah was beautiful! She carries herself so gracefully. And Gage at the end of the ceremony. So adorable!
Your dress was beautiful. Can’t wait to hear how and where you found it. So many stories! Can’t wait !
Rest up!
Buff
I was able to watch some of the video of the wedding last night on FB…amazing is all I have to say. I was wondering what the start time of 1:43 meant? An amazing day for all of you I am sure as well as for Dr. Driscoll.
I immediately thought of I (1 letter), LOVE (4 letters), YOU (3 letters) = 143
Maria–and you were right!
Nicole,
It stands for the number of letters in I Love You. 🙂 We were so thrilled Dr. Driscoll and his wife were there. They enjoyed it so much.
I have wanted to comment for so long. I don’t know if you recall but my mom wanted to meet you and visit Manteo for her 80th birthday and we had a trip planned to Manteo but the big snowstorm in Charlotte changed that!
She followed Sarah and your family for years. She passed away last fall at the age of 84, but I know that she would be so thrilled about Sarah‘s marriage and all that has been going on with your family. Somehow it makes me feel even closer to her when I read your posts.
Thank you for sharing. The wedding and Sarah and the story is all absolutely beautiful. Oh the song and video is just amazing and such a testimony of Faith and God’s love.
Also, loved your dress! Wasn’t sure if we ever got an update of your final decision!
(Daughter of Eleanor Hayes, a faithful Smith family follower)
Beverly,
I’m sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I’m thankful reading the posts makes you feel a little closer to her. She was a grand lady!
Glad you liked the dress. It was quite the process!
How wonderful everything was, especially that song! Looking forward to more photos and more words. I am hoping you are able to take some down time and relax now.
I love how your family loves. Because he first loved us!
t is almost impossible to explain the feelings of watching Sarah’s wedding. Not only was Sarah a beautiful bride along with everyone looking wonderful it was the emotion and love for one another and their love for the Lord that stood out so much. I shed such tears of happiness and look forward to seeing what the Lord has for their future. The song Deep Calls to Deep was amazing. As I was listen to it during the ceremony I began thinking that this musical piece was played and sang by both father’s. So touching were the words. My husband and I have been married 46 years and children each had beautiful weddings and I have been to many weddings. I truly believe this is the must meaningful weeding with such true love shinning through one for another and their life that is truly being lived for the Lord. Good bless them both and blessings to the parents who raise such God fearing children.
Cathie,
Thank you for such sweet words.
I’m so glad the day went well! Sarah is so gorgeous in that gown!
Well, Sarah and Becky, you guys looked amazing!!! I LOVE Sarah’s dress!! Everything looked beautiful!! And, the video/song was perfect!! I love it! They are going to have a wonderful life together and I am so happy that I will be able to share it through pictures! I am so happy for all of you, and so glad Dr Driscoll made it to the wedding too!! He is a great doctor and I am so glad I have been able to work with him all these years too… 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more stories and see more pictures as the week goes on!! Take care, and let me know what I can do for you guys when you return to Duke for any appointment!!
Tiffany,
You are so sweet to offer so much assistance as needed. Always good to know we have a blog reader with boots on the ground who works at Duke.
At the reception, we discovered that one of my dear friends is in a Bible study with Dr. Driscoll’s sister. So I made sure to introduce them. That was fun.