Today, we celebrated Amanda's 39th birthday. We also celebrated her new diagnosis that she has "NO evidence of cancer.”

I'm not sure if my high school calculus teacher would endorse this math, but somehow 900 hours of chemo + three weeks in the hospital + one heroic lady + five brilliant doctors + 20 hours of surgeries + thousands of prayers + endless laughs + one priceless community = ZERO cancer.

When we took this photo two years ago, it was during a wonderful but sobering "farewell" session intended to capture Amanda when she was still her bold and fabulous self. Despite all the horrors of cancer - plus a pandemic, unexpectedly homeschooling our 183 kids, and Tom Brady leaving the Patriots  - she never lost those endearing traits.

Amanda was told there was less than a 1% chance she would beat her Stage IV cancer. During one of the lowest points, we were encouraged to look into moving to Mexico or France where she could get experimental treatments as well as some nice scenery while living out her last chapter. I love tacos and crepes, but not enough to pack up all my pastel clothes and our kids' Legos and move overseas. Just like life in general, there were many celebrations along the way, but also countless disappointments. Thankfully, even when the embers of hope were at their faintest, they still burned thanks to the constant encouragement of our community.

There are still many medical tests ahead and each will likely spawn some worry and fear. However, for now, we will only celebrate Amanda, her inspiring fierceness, God’s relentless grace, and this broken but beautiful journey.

And eat cake. 

Go, shawty. It’s your birthday.