Sara Raak

Sara Raak Mom of crazy boys / Home decor, DIY and Lifestyle / Product Stylist / Washington DC / Message to Collaborate- Coming soon! Fall appointment openings!

Happy 14th birthday, sweet Bennett.In a perfect world, this would have been a year of milestones for our three boys—Oliv...
06/01/2026

Happy 14th birthday, sweet Bennett.

In a perfect world, this would have been a year of milestones for our three boys—Oliver’s last year of high school, Henry’s first year of high school, and Bennett’s last year of middle school.

The past couple of weeks have been filled with some really high highs and some really low lows with more to come and Bennett’s birthday falls right in the middle of it all. I miss him and all the moments he should have had. It’s unfair. But today was beautiful, just as it has been every year on his birthday. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and somehow that always feels like a gift from him. Happy birthday, B. We love you and miss you every day. Every single day.

Today is Oliver’s 18th birthday. 18. He’s been through so much these past 18 years and it has truly shaped him into who ...
05/07/2026

Today is Oliver’s 18th birthday. 18. He’s been through so much these past 18 years and it has truly shaped him into who he is today and we are so very thankful he’s all ours. Oliver wrote his college essay around what leadership means to him. It was definitely a hard read, knowing how much he took on so early but man, he learned from those experiences and has used that in the best way. He continues to amaze us with his compassion and willingness to try new things, meet new people and take on more responsibilities. Happy Birthday Buddy! we love you to the moon and back. ❤️

Today is Bennett’s 13th birthday. A teenager. My last teenager. Even though it’s been 13 years, those raw emotions we ha...
05/31/2025

Today is Bennett’s 13th birthday. A teenager. My last teenager. Even though it’s been 13 years, those raw emotions we had when he left us, are still there. They linger in quiet moments and come crashing in on anniversary dates like today. I think about him every day just like I do his two older brothers. Fore sure at 13 he’d definitely be fine tuning that famous Raak joking sarcasm that runs deep in our family but maybe he’d put his own spin on it. I know he’d be kind and just as social as Oliver and Henry and make us so proud like they do. It’s crazy how our love for him still grows even when his life doesn’t. He is and always will be with us even though that looks a little different than we all planned and hoped for. It’s something. So, Happy Birthday Bennett. You’ve made me a better person and a better mom. Thanks for teaching and reminding me how sacred each and every day is. Pretty impressive for a 13 year old.

Oliver’s first day of junior year AND his first day driving to school. We only have one more first day photo after this ...
08/19/2024

Oliver’s first day of junior year AND his first day driving to school. We only have one more first day photo after this one. My friend sent me this screenshot of this day 16 years ago. Just can’t believe how this is happening so fast. Then and now

Sisters: Someone who sees you in the worst of times and the best of times and still shows up for you every day. Someone ...
07/01/2024

Sisters: Someone who sees you in the worst of times and the best of times and still shows up for you every day. Someone who lifts you up when you’re feeling down and finds your strength when you can’t do it for yourself. Someone who is a human diary, keeping my deepest secrets and wishes. Someone who, no matter what path you travel, good or bad, and come out different than when you began, reminds you that each journey is a piece of the puzzle that makes you who you are. Someone who performs her duties as a sister so well, everyone wishes they had one just like her. Someone who becomes your hero as you watch her take on life’s hardest battles and overcome them with immeasurable faith and grace. Someone who is an inspiration to those who know her, and so many more who have never met her yet watch from afar the graceful way she navigates life’s hardest moments.

Collyn, happy 40th to the one I’m proud to call my sister and best friend. Thank you for always standing beside me and stepping up, without hesitation, to stand shoulder to shoulder with me fighting through battles most can’t even fathom. They say sisters are worth a thousand words, but you are worth so many more.

It’s Paul Raak day! Not only is it Father’s Day but it’s also his birthday! No truer words have ever been spoken when I ...
06/16/2024

It’s Paul Raak day! Not only is it Father’s Day but it’s also his birthday!

No truer words have ever been spoken when I say, “to know Paul is to love him.” He’s the funcle to our nieces, nephews and close friend’s kiddos, the very best friend not only to me but to so many others, thoughtful,sentimental and purposeful. He loves to make people smile and better yet laugh- like the stomach hurts kind of laugh. He’s the one behind the lifetime of experiences our boys will never forget, the Christmas card sender, trip planner and cool gadget collector. He plays the role of parent and husband so well, it will certainly set the boys up for success in their own marriages and parenting journeys. He’s my support system, my biggest cheerleader and the best shoulder to cry on. He is my everything. Happy birthday/Father’s day Pauly-D! We love you so much and are so grateful your ours. ❤️

It’s Paul Raak day! Not only is it Father’s Day but it’s also his birthday! No truer words have ever been spoken when I ...
06/15/2024

It’s Paul Raak day! Not only is it Father’s Day but it’s also his birthday!

No truer words have ever been spoken when I say, “to know Paul is to love him.” He’s the funcle to our nieces, nephews and close friends’ kiddos, the very best friend not only to me but to so many others, thoughtful,sentimental and purposeful. He loves to make people smile and better yet laugh- like the stomach hurts kind of laugh. He’s the one behind the lifetime of experiences our boys will never forget, the Christmas card sender, trip planner and cool gadget collector. He plays the role of parent and husband so well, it will certainly set the boys up for success in their own marriages and parenting journey. He’s my support system, my biggest cheerleader and the best shoulder to cry on. He is my everything. Happy birthday/Father’s day Pauly-D! We love you so much and are so grateful you’re ours. ❤️ Paul Raak

June 4- that evening, 12 years ago, we said goodbye to Bennett. Though unimaginably hard, that time also brought some g...
06/04/2024

June 4- that evening, 12 years ago, we said goodbye to Bennett. Though unimaginably hard, that time also brought some good memories that I think should be recognized to remind us all that beautiful things can come out of grief. Below are the ones that I’ll never forget and replay every year

I’m thankful for:
-best friends who flew here from all over the country to keep me company, make me laugh and take my mom out for margaritas
-friendships we had already formed with the Georgetown NICU nurses and doctors. One of those sweet nurses who volunteered to be on the transport team to bring Bennett to Georgetown. Seeing her walk through the door at Alexandria hospital brought us so much comfort and relief
-the doctor who did everything in his power to get me transferred to Georgetown even though my insurance refused to cover my stay there, because it “wasn’t a necessity”, so I could be with Bennett
-another one of our favorite nurses who came in to the NICU during her day off to walk us through all the medical updates we were trying to understand and then sit with us while Bennett took his last breath
-our families who rushed here to meet and then say goodbye to Bennett
-friends who fed all our family through that week and days after and watched and loved our boys without question
-the amazing friend who contacted the funeral home, compiled and delivered all the information they needed, bought Bennett’s clothes to be buried in and read the sweetest poem at his memorial service
-another dear friend who was waiting for us when we got home late that night and sat with me outside as I tried to come to grips with what had just happened, let me cry and then help me pull together the update for everyone
- the stranger in the Walmart parking lot who helped me with the bag I dropped, didn’t run away when I started crying and instead stopped and prayed with me
-for all our friends and colleagues who came to celebrate Bennett’s short life at his memorial service. Walking onto the sanctuary and seeing the church pews full made me so grateful for each and every one of them
-my boys who helped distract us and make us all laugh
-last but not least, I’m thankful for Paul. I could not have gotten through and continue to get through it all without him. His patience, love and support was and always will be my saving grace

Today Bennett would have been 12. Every year on his birthday, grief shows up differently. This year is no different. I’v...
05/31/2024

Today Bennett would have been 12. Every year on his birthday, grief shows up differently. This year is no different. I’ve been battling a horrible 3-week vertigo episode and told my sweet friend last night I have so much guilt for not being able to give Bennett the attention he deserves leading up to today. She replied, “You can rest because we’ve got you, this is why we have villages. We’ve been thinking of, celebrating and missing him fiercely and he’ll be with us every step of the way.” Our village is strong and has played such a large part in our journey through this all. So thank you to our village for continuing to lift us up and always remembering him. Happy birthday Bennett

Happy 16th birthday to Oliver! There is a reason our first born are our first born, but Oliver has taken on more than th...
05/07/2024

Happy 16th birthday to Oliver! There is a reason our first born are our first born, but Oliver has taken on more than the predetermined list of attributes attached to that definition. He absolutely is kind, respectful, a good friend, patient and supportive. And his role as a big brother? He’s doing a pretty awesome job even though Henry 100 percent embodies the little brother spirit and attitude. But more than that, these last sixteen years he has also been our silent strength, has shown amazing resilience and has helped carry us through the tough times and the hard days. He didn’t sign up for the unpredictability that has been our family’s life, but he has always shouldered it like a pro, with quiet patience and without complaint.

You know that saying, “The days are long and the years are short”? Well s**t, they were right. All of the sudden it’s not that hard to imagine the days where grocery bill totals starting with a 2 or 3 will instead begin with a 1. The food will last a little longer, the toilet seats won’t always be up and the constant yelling while playing Xbox with friends will quiet down. I know I’m constantly complaining about how crazy this stage of life is but time, please slow down just for a second because 16 came in fast and furious so I’m gonna need to take a beat before we move on to the next milestone. To the boy who was our parenting trial run, thank you for doing us a solid by making it so easy. Happy happy birthday! Love ya, mean it.

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