Today, Sarah Elizabeth Long turns twenty-six years old. This year, especially, we have so much to be grateful for.
We had no idea what the year would hold back in April, but it wasn’t looking good. And now? Now, we have a happily healthy and happily married young woman to celebrate.
Last Monday, she and I drove to Chesapeake, VA for lunch and shopping. On Friday morning, she came over to help me decorate her cake and on Friday evening, she and Gage came over for dinner and a movie. Such a sweet simple time of sitting piled up on the sofa (with our newly healthy doggie) and just enjoying each others’ company.
Here are a few photos from the birthday week. (Take special note of the beautiful card Gage created for Sarah–with a broken finger!)
When she turned twenty-five a year ago, she had no idea she’d be three months married by her next birthday. It’s amazing what a year can hold.
In honor of her birthday and her wedding, I’ll close out today with a final lineup of wedding photos, They include a few of the tablescapes from the reception that so beautifully reflected the theme of vintage books and travel. (Some of the photos may be repeats; I’ve kind of lost track along the way. But enjoy them again.)
Let me close by saying thanks to each of you who left such comforting, encouraging words on this post. You’ll never know how much those comments meant.
What about you? What does the end of your summer look like?
Share one thing (big or small) you are looking forward to this week.
Have you ever shared how/why you chose Sarah Elizabeth’s name? And Nathan’s? Maybe you could put it in your next Thing Post and then we can share how we chose our kid’s (or pet’s!) names in the comments! I love names and their origins!
Ellen,
Great idea. I’ll make a note of it!
Happy Belated Birthday to Sarah! It looks like she had a great birthday week! The wedding pictures are beautiful!! It was a very quick summer! Did a few short trips. I went to Savannah with one of my daughters, to Ocean City with my husband, and now looking forward to an end of summer trip to Florida to see my daughter for her birthday.
Michele,
Sounds like you are getting in some fun trips this year. I love a road trip!
Dear Becky, Happy Birthday to sweet Sarah and best wishes to the Long family. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the wonderful pictures, and one that particularly caught my eye was the super-professional wrapping job that Pastor Steve did on the birthday presents! He is truly talented at so many things! Please know that we keep you close in our prayers each day. ~ Fred & Lucy
Fred and Lucy,
Yes, Steve definitely has many talents up his sleeve!
Thanks so much for your prayers.
Sarah,
I absolutely love the black & white photo of you and Gage walking through the bubbles! It’s really sweet that your parents are on either side of you enjoying the blowing of of bubbles. I also love the cake cutting photo, very nice. I hope to meet you and Gage in November when I visit my family in Manteo and Nags Head. I plan to attend Manteo First Assembly on November 7th and will hopefully run into you there. I will have your belated wedding gift. !Happy Birthday Sarah!
Becky,
Has anyone mentioned to you lately that you are a very talented writer? I am amazed at your ‘God Given Gift’ of sharing life with your friends, your nurturing nature, your honesty and the abundant love that you have for your family. You are indeed an inspiration and an excellent teacher. Thank you sweet Becky Smith for giving us your words.
Fun this week? I plan to meet cousin Harriet in Spruce Pine for lunch @ the Tropical Grille. Harriet and I grew up together in Roanoke Rapids, NC and share many childhood memories. We were tree climbers!!!
Gloria,
What sweet words of encouragement about my writing; thanks so much for taking the time to express that. It is my joy to get to share my words and stories.
How fun to have memories of tree-climbing. That’s becoming a lost art. Enjoy your time!
What wonderful photos!! That thrift shop looks like a treasure. I’m glad y’all were able to celebrate Sarah together – and what talent Gage has – that card is spectacular. I’ve considered my summer over for a couple of weeks, since school started back; But I am eagerly looking forward to college football season right around the corner. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Sue Ellen,
When one season ends, the next one always has some good stuff to look forward to. Enjoy your football games!
Happy 26th birthday Sarah! You and my nephew are almost birthday twins. He turned 26 yesterday.
One big thing I would love to have happen this week is to find a long term care facility for my mom with assisted living close by for my dad. After almost 3 weeks of 24/7 caregiving, it’s about to get me down.
Phyllis,
Wow, that’s a lot for you to be dealing with; caring for your mom and trying to find two different kinds of accommodations for both parents.
May the Lord give you wisdom for your decisions and open the right doors. Hugs!
I knew there was someone else that celebrated a birthday on this day besides my granddaughter – Sarah. What a blessing you are. Love the card Gage made for you – how creative and loving. All of the pictures are so beautiful and precious memories for all to remember. Thank you again for posting Becky – even when you are not feeling your best, you bring us love through your writing and pictures.
Sharyn,
What a sweet thing to say about my posting–that it brings you love. That was so encouraging.
Some special people born on this day!
Happy Birthday, lovely Sarah! You were about eight years old when we started following your story, maybe even smaller – whoever would have guessed it would lead here – to a beautiful, happy, married woman with a handsome loving husband. We are so happy for you.
Extra love to Becky too this week – just because.
xxxxx Teresa and Juliet xxxxxx
Teresa,
Eight years old! Hard to believe you’ve been part of Smithellaneous that long. (Of course, way back then, it wasn’t Smithellaneous!)
And I’ll certainly take that extra love–just because. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, Sarah! Beautiful woman, beautiful bride! Gage, love your art!
On one hand, I’m not looking forward to this week as I’ve a nuclear stress test on Wednesday to see what’s going on in some arteries and I find that a bit annoying (New England-ese for “definitely anxiety provoking”).
On the other hand, the boss is on vacation and work is a breeze! My grandson comes in and spends each afternoon with me – so enjoy my time with him! Hoping for an afternoon off to go enjoy the beach with him.
Guerrina,
Never heard of a nuclear stress test but I don’t like it already because it’s causing anxiety for a wonderful lady. Hope all goes well.
Work being a breeze is a definite plus and hoping you’ll catch some literal breezes on the beach. Blessings!
It has been so hot this summer, I am looking forward to fall and dreading winter. Today I went to my favorite thrift store because everything is half off this week. I got some books and cute Christmas decorations. I stayed away from the clothes since I already have to many of those. I might go back again later this week. Gage is a talented artist! Happy belated birthday to Sarah.
Cindy,
Half off at a thrift store is a really good deal, isn’t it?
I’m with you on looking forward to fall. My favorite season!
Hi Becky,
These are beautiful photos! What a gorgeous bride your gal made– and what a very precious gift from God to have her so well and celebrating her 26th birthday.
I also want to apologize for not commenting on your post last week. You were deeply in my thoughts and I am praying for you as you go through this challenging time in multiple facets of your health. Know that you have so many people from all around the world who love you and are cheering for you and believe in you (and believe GOOD for you).
You are walking through rocky waters right now with all these health challenges, and that can be so scary. Plus, you went through some extraordinarily stressful moments this spring. Not just the extremely hard days and fear about Sarah, but also I’m sure that brought up terrifying memories and feelings from 20 years ago. Add to that Steve’s incident and your dog’s illness and even the big changes of an empty nest and adjusting to the new role of Sarah in the family (not living at home, being a wife first etc)- that is a whole LOT.
Any and all emotions you feel through all the uncertainty, appointments, unknowns, and pain or breathing difficulties, including days you feel blue or sad or worried, are normal. It took me a long time to realize that it’s okay to feel everything because this is part of the range of emotions God has created us to feel– I think as Christians sometimes there is a lot of literature out there and teaching on being happy all the time, positive, being a “good” Christian by smiling and showing the world how joyous you always feel. etc. And, while it is nice to be able to be positive and feel joy (and joy is a gift from the Spirit), it is not bad to simply feel the emotions as they come- sadness etc–on some days through the immense struggle. If the sadness or anger or exhaustion becomes the whole story of your life, that is a different story, but to feel the emotions as they come is actually a form of self care.
If there is anything at all that you have need of, please reach out to me- and let all your blog readers know too. You have many, many, many people loving you and caring from you behind your screens. You can’t see us on the days things are tough, but we are here, an army of people behind and beside you.
Jenna
Jenna,
” . . .to feel the emotions as they come is actually a form of self-care.”
So much wonderful wisdom in those words. Thank you!
Thanks, too, for your always wise, compassionate, and insightful comments. I know you’re in the middle of empty-nesting yourself so you understand all the emotions that go with that. It’s harder than it seems it might be!
And you’re right–there truly have been so many things that have gone on over the past six months and they’re made even worse by not knowing what is to come, health-wise. What a blessing to know of many blog friends out there who are kind enough to pray for me and to think of me in the hard times.
Thank you, Jenna, for having the heart and the gift of being able to express the feelings that are so difficult to put into words.
Happy birthday Sarah Elizabeth Long!! And Gage, REALLY nice work on the card…you are so talented!!
The table decorations are SO creative! Love them!! I hope you got a picture of the place all set up and decorated before anyone got there.
The bubble pictures are so neat and the black & white one is my favorite. 🙂
Our summer is winding down with less things on the calendar, thankfully. July was so incredibly busy for us. We had SO much fun but it’s hard to keep that pace going.
I’m really looking forward to playing golf on Thursday with my Tuesday night ladies team. It is a tournament and will be at the expensive, “fancy” golf course here in town. They put on a great event and the meal afterwards is always really good. It’s a treat to get to play there once a year. The forecast is for a hot, sunny day. Perfect for a fun girls night out!
Lee Anne,
A fancy golf course, a great meal, and good friends? Definitely, something to look forward to. Enjoy! 🙂
I am now in full-blown wedding planning for my own sweet girl. March 5 is her big day, so we are busy planning away. I’ve enjoyed seeing Sarah’s beautiful vision for day. I’m so happy that she and Gage are on the road to recovery.
Lisa,
Full-blown wedding planning. Such exciting words!
There’s no season of life quite like it, is there?
Happy Birthday to Mrs Long!
We are headed back from Michigan today. Steve’s sister got married on Saturday. It was lovely to see the Wright clan!
End of summer excitement for me is getting to work at the High School this year. I’ve only been there a week and I just know I’m where I’m supposed to be. Madi is excited about 8th grade. Brooke is at the early college which is exciting because she is taking college courses in the 9th grade! The classes are smaller and it seems a great fit for her! Yay!!
All in all the western nc Wright family is doing great!!
I love all of your stories and your photos! ❤
Tammy,
How is it possible your girls are in the 8th and 9th grades? Wow.
So glad you feel like your new job is a good bit. That is such a blessing.
Happy Birthing Day mama! And Happy birthday to Sarah! So much to celebrate for her. It’s been a YEAR. Beautiful card by Gage and lovely pictures. I hope you are doing OK.
Lesley,
I’ve never been wished a happy birthday day, before. I guess I did have a little something to do with Sarah’s birthday. 🙂
Happy Birthday to Sarah. I loved the card Gage made for Sarah. How special. And of course, I always enjoy all your pictures.
I hope you are doing well Becky.
Have a wonderful week.
Joy,
I am amazed by anyone who has a gift for art and Gage definitely falls into that category–broken finger, or not!
Happy, happy birthday, Mrs. Sarah Long! Wishing you a LONG lifetime of love and laughter!
The summer won’t end here for another couple of months but the activities will change a little as we are avid college football fans so we will start attending games soon while still enjoying some hot days on the lake.
This week…hmmm, just work for the most part but we will be going to a dinner and concert on Saturday so that’s something to look forward to.
I hope y’all have a great week!
Suzanne,
It always seems funny to attend football games while it’s still warm; football games were made for nippy air! But I know you’ll enjoy them despite the temp–as well as the dinner and concert. Always nice to have something to look forward to.
Happy birthday to the extraordinary Mrs. Sarah Long! What a journey, what a story in progress. ♥️
So fun to see the birthday and wedding pictures and the joy therein! Gage’s card was just lovely.
Love, Deb
Deb,
I love the line “story in progress.” That’s just what our lives are, aren’t they?
what a fantastic b-day celebration. Gage’s card is delightful. I loved all the creative table decorations. HAPPY 26TH, SARAH!
Mrs. Pam,
Gage’s card was delightful, indeed. Thanks for the wishes!
Happy birthday Sarah! I really hope it’s a great and relaxing day!
I’m donating platelets today and next weekend I am looking forward to trying a new hiking trail out with some friends!
Sarah,
THANK YOU for donating platelets. Sarah got so many bags of platelets during her treatment–thanks to amazing people like you, more kids/adults will receive that wonderful gift.
With summer ending our quiet, orderly life comes to an end as the Fall sports seasons begin. We have 3
granddaughters playing high school soccer and one granddaughter in middle school playing field hockey. We also have our one dear grandson playing football. We will be enjoying many evenings at the stadium. Beginning today all of those beautiful children return to school.
Wishing Mrs Sarah Long a very Happy Birthday. Becky, you have been on my heart and in my prayers as you deal with the very serious medical issues you find your self walking through. Hugs to you.
Cathie,
Five grandchildren in sports? Oh my. You have earned the right to call yourself a Professional Sports Grandma.
Thank you for your prayers and compassion on this next phase of my journey. I appreciate your words and your heart.
Happy birthday Sarah!
What are you going to do on your/her birthday? Did you celebrate early according to the pictures with the hat?
Katrina,
We celebrated Friday as a family and then I took her to lunch today and Gage took her out to a nice meal tonight. They’ll also do some more celebrating this weekend.
That Gage is one in a million. Perfect for our one in a million Sarah. Happy birthday Mrs Long. ❤️
Ellen,
One in a million is right, two times over.
And I still can’t get used to Mrs. Long. 🙂