Chase Smith and Sadie Mills had big plans. The high school sweethearts were planning to go to college together, continue their swimming and diving careers, and hopefully someday get married.
But they decided they couldn’t wait – the 18-year-old high school seniors were married in April of 2020.
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Many would say that’s too young, but it’s all the time they had. Chase was dying.
An enemy returns
At age 12, Chase was a nationally ranked swimmer and 6-time state champ. He hoped to swim in the Olympics someday.
But his dream was cut short after cramping he experienced at a training camp in 2014 turned out to be a tumor.
“After that, it went like wildfire,” his mom Kelli told IndyStar.
In 2016, another lump appeared on Chase’s left leg – the Ewing’s sarcoma was back. It reared its head again in April 2019, that time on his lower lung.
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Then he went into remission, for a little while.
The teens made the decision to marry after doctors told Chase and his family in March that the tumors he had battled since he was 13 had returned – one on his shoulder, one on his lung, one on his back, and another on his hip.
When he experienced severe head pain a month later the news only got worse. There were tumors all over his skull and in the fluid of the lining of his brain. His 6-year battle with Ewing’s sarcoma would likely end his life in 3-5 months.
Parental blessings
Parents generally aren’t eager to see their teens get married so young. But this was different.
Chase’s dad could tell that a wedding was on his mind.
“He said, ‘I can tell in your demeanor that you’re going to marry Sadie one day,'” Chase said. “‘I want you to know if that’s going through your mind right now, your mom and I support you 110 percent.”
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As he broached the subject with Sadie, she interrupted him.
“I know exactly what you’re going to say,” she told him. “I wanted to tell you the same thing tonight.”
The Smith and Mill families got together for dinner and talked it over.
Everyone cried over the doomed love story and their parents. Sadie’s dad told Chase that he had given his daughter a new perspective on life – as well as great happiness.
The small wedding was planned over the course of just 4 days.
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A bittersweet ceremony
As tears ran down their faces, they exchanged vows on April 29th on the very spot where they had their first kiss. They made promises to spend every moment they have left together and rely on their faith and God even harder.
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“The most important thing in my world at this point is spending time loving and laughing,” Chase said. “Just living life to the fullest and loving every moment.”
Marrying Sadie allowed him to do that.
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And the new bride was clear that this was about more than death.
“A lot of people do say, ‘Oh they’re getting married because he has a potential to pass away soon,’ and that’s not at all why we decided to get married,” she told PEOPLE. It was more of just a wake-up call that, ‘Hey, God wants you two together.'”
Whatever the future holds
The two didn’t share their journey for the attention, but rather so Chase could tell his story and share what he has learned through his cancer journey.
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“The precious people in your life, the amount of time they are in your life, take every moment you have. Enjoy and give everything you can in those relationships,” he said. “And know there is so much possible with love when your love includes God.”
In August, Chase felt strong enough to attend a renaming/dedication ceremony at his old high school. The Indian Creek High pool is now the Chase M Smith Natatorium.
Unfortunately, a GoFundMe update in early September reported that the cancer continues to spread and cause Chase great pain.
But he’s also past the 5-month mark – and defying the odds is certainly something to celebrate.
Like any couple, they have good days and bad days. And while they don’t count the days, they do celebrate each new one as a family.
Be sure to scroll down below for scenes from their sweet wedding.
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