Kay Shea photographer the Blog: soldier

Friday, October 11, 2013 at 8:30am

Sarah and Hubby were on KFLW!

Listen here -

Meet Sarah, a loving Army wife and mother.
She gave her husband the BIGGEST welcome home surprise.
This is her story.

Sarah at over 275lbs

A few years ago, Sarah made a BIG decision. Sarah wanted to become healthy. Healthy for herself. Healthy for her family.

Wedding day!

The day they adopted their beautiful daughter <3

She was at a point where her weight was taking a toll on her body and mind. Sarah had diabetes, high blood pressure, back problems and had undergone back surgery. She needed help.

After a great deal of trying to lose the weight on her own she began discussing options with professionals. After tons of thought and consideration, Sarah was approved for gastric bypass surgery. After about a year of classes and counseling, she went through with it.

Pre surgery at just over 259lbs

The first few months were HARD to say the least. She ended up in the ER time and time again. Surgery was not a quick or easy fix by any means but she was determined to be a healthier person to keep up with her energetic daughter and loving husband. She was not going to let the surgery define her. She wanted to become healthy, not just lose weight. She needed a lifestyle change and that's just what she did.

Sarah started running, doing 5K’s, going to the gym, eating healthier and in smaller portions. The weight started to come off.

Only a few months after her operation, her husband was due to deploy. She was heartbroken but decided she’d make a goal for his return home. She was going to surprise him with her new, healthy self.

The day her soldier left.

During the 9 month deployment, Sarah and her husband, Patrick, talked on the phone and video chatted… but Sarah would NEVER show below her shoulder/collar bones. He had no clue! No clue that is wife was becoming half the woman he had left months ago.

Sarah continued working out, doing 5K's, 10K's and eating healthy.

Sarah with daughter in her Patriot Guard vest. It never closed before.

There were hard days, days she sometimes felt she let herself down but she had come so much further than she would/could ever admit. Not only was she becoming healthier, she was inspiring people all around her, including her husband who took it upon himself to also get into better shape while deployed. Sarah was inspiring the world.

Her husband doing her Virtual 5K in support of her in Kuwait

Sarah's journey was hard and sometimes lonely, but she knew the end result would be AMAZING! She just couldn't wait to see her husband's reaction.

The day is here!!!!!

Sarah, as nervous as anyone would be in her situation, stood shaking, waiting for her husband to come marching in. Today was the day! The day she was going to see her soul mate, the day she'd show him what she had been up too.