By Kayla Hallac, Editor-in-Chief
Roller skates gliding forward on the pavement. Gliding forward into a world full of progress that many feared might never come.
Whispers, cries and voices near and far have echoed the phrase “Love is Strong” over the past year and a half following the unexpected car accident and uncertainty involving First Flight senior Tatum Love. Turns out Love IS strong, and back to thriving on the Outer Banks, with an overwhelming sense of appreciation for the beach community.
Much like the roller blades of fellow senior Warner Campbell, who had the honor of leading Love’s procession home, she is gliding forward in all aspects of her life.
“The roller blades were brought up as a joke at first when we first started talking about how we were going to welcome Tatum back home,” Campbell said. “Everyone lined up on the road became the plan, and they wanted someone to lead, so the roller blades idea just kind of stuck.”
It was a fitting symbol – Love was on a roll after the accident and continues to progress today, launching forward from that inspirational moment.
“The first day I came home the first person I saw was Warner because he had roller skates,” Love said. “It was a big high being able to see everyone, being able to come back to the Outer Banks. That was phenomenal. Having multiple people know who I am without me even knowing them, it’s just super cool.”
You can’t blame the tight-knit OBX community for following the story and praying for Love and cheering her on. The fact that she’s been able to recover and push her limits to rebuild her life is nothing short of a miracle.
“I hate to say this, but it’s surprising that I’m alive. It makes me very happy around everyone around me that took care of me,” Love said, adding that this long journey even comes with an inspirational quote from Bob Marley:
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have,” he once said.
Love’s comeback story began on Jan. 26, 2021. Two vehicles collided on South Croatan Highway. Love, untethered, was thrown from the vehicle and critically injured. She received several brain injuries as well as months of care far away from the Outer Banks. Love does not remember the accident itself, but the experience is a clear memory for her friends and family.
“When you come as close to losing a child as we did with Tatum you have already gone through all of the worst-case scenarios and desperate negotiations with the universe,” said Tatum’s dad, Billy Love. “This legitimate second chance we were given makes everything that much more important and special. Love and family are not something we feel or say anymore. It’s how we live our lives.”
Senior Peyton McCleary was in the vehicle and was not injured in the accident. But she witnessed the events that unfolded that night involving Tatum, a vision that will live forever in her mind.
“I distinctly remember the silence of it all. We had no idea what to do or expect next, so we just waited,” McCleary said.
This experience, one that has shaped the trajectory of her life path, has shown her the true importance of wearing a seatbelt. Tatum said her accident will live with her forever, namely in always telling anyone to put on a seatbelt when in a vehicle.
“Honestly, when I get in my car, even before I turn on my car, I put on a seatbelt. Like, it’s not that hard. You just put it on,” Tatum said. “Then you can plug in your music, play some tunes. And then you can drive and you’re perfectly fine. If you get into an accident, you aren’t gonna flip over as I did.”
Despite the terrible accident itself, the progress Tatum has made is incredible. It’s something she recognizes in several aspects of her life.
“I remember my first moment of understanding words again. Not reading, but understanding. I was saying ‘I love you’ to my mom and dad,” Tatum said. “I’ve been a lot better at reading and remembering. Reading was the main issue for me. I obviously do take a really long time, like longer than casual reading, but I’m trying and I’m getting better.”
Whether parents, friends, teachers, or peers, everyone has noticed Tatum’s progress this school year after returning. While her parents claim every aspect of her life is different, her attitude has impressed many.
“Tatum’s ability to stay positive, truly love with all her heart, and honestly see the good in everything and everyone is absolutely life affirming,” Billy said. “I’m not sure even the people who know Tatum well really get how much truly hard work she has put in to get to where she is or where she wants to go and eventually accomplish.”
Added McCleary: “It’s been incredible to witness her growth. She had to start with learning our names and faces again, which (as her friends) was hard to see her struggle with, but she got it in no time. The amazing thing about Tatum is she hasn’t lost her spirit, she wants to keep learning and growing, she wants to see that improvement, she just doesn’t quit.”
Tatum returned to school for all of her senior year and will graduate on time. She is a competitive member of the swim team, was inducted into the National Honor Society, a member of the student government, a staff writer for the newspaper, a manager for the lacrosse team, and is once again driving on her own.
Her parents were told very early on that these things may never exist in her life again, considering a little over a year ago Tatum could not breathe or eat on her own, was unable to respond when prompted on any level, and couldn’t speak.
“It is absolutely necessary here that we once again thank all of the people, friends, professionals, teachers and coaches, etc., who gave so much of their own time to help Tatum and her recovery,” Billy said. “None of this would be possible without the community of people who came together to help each other get through this. We are truly blessed.”
Tatum plans to take classes through the College of The Albemarle this summer and fall, hoping to attend a four-year university next spring. She hopes to create a career in the music industry because of her love of concerts.
Beyond all of this, she’s gliding forward like roller skates – no matter the bumps in the road.
“My last name is Love. And strong means I’m getting into it. I’m trying as hard as I can – Love is strong,” Tatum explains.
Tatum’s mom, Lorrie, agrees: “Love is all there is. More light and goodness has come out of the single worst event of our lives than darkness and pain, and that is a legitimate miracle. I’ve often said that if we could somehow get everyone to treat each other the way people have treated us since Tatum’s accident, we could solve the world’s problems overnight. It really is that simple. Love is the answer to all of it.”
Senior Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.
