03/10/2026
As a mom of a special needs child, you spend your life watching other people’s kids hit milestones that you don’t always know if your child will experience. 💛
You never begrudge those families their joy… you celebrate with them! 🎉
But deep down, there’s sometimes a tiny piece of your heart that wonders if your child will ever have that moment too.
For me, spring has always been that time of year. 🌸
As our friends’ kids reached college age, social media filled with acceptance letters, dorm photos, and excited posts about where they were going next. 🎓
And while I was always happy for them, a part of me quietly wondered if Samantha would ever get to feel that same thrill of opening a college acceptance.
Well… today I am beyond excited to say that Samantha got to experience that moment!!! 🎉🎉🎉
For the past 10 years, Samantha has dreamed about going to UNCW, living on campus, and becoming a 💙💛
We never knew if that dream could become reality.
But a few years ago, UNCW began developing an incredible program — the Inclusive Futures Program
Samantha found the program all on her own.
She researched it. 🔎
She reached out to people to learn more. 📧
She studied everything she could about it.
And she worked on her application with the determination of a dog with a bone. 🐶
And guess what…
Her hard work paid off.
Today was the moment she opened her student portal… and saw that she had been ACCEPTED. 🎓✨
The tears.
The flood of emotions.
The disbelief.
And then… a fit of giggles. 😂
It was one of the most incredible moments I’ve ever witnessed.
She achieved something we once weren’t sure would ever happen.
She gets to call herself a college student.
She gets to attend the school she has loved for years.
She gets to be a Seahawk. 🦅💙💛
Samantha — we love you so much and we are SO incredibly proud of you. ❤️
Keep reaching for those goals.
Keep chasing those dreams.
Because clearly… they are within reach. ✨
We love you baby!!!
