Navy wife Sarah Smiley is most known for a syndicated newspaper column she wrote for 16 years and the book DINNER WITH THE SMILEYS. Smiley’s writing topics often include: motherhood, raising boys, Little League, life in the military, and life in Maine.

Smiley self-syndicated her newspaper column when she was just 24-years-old and during one of her husband’s deployments, when she was the primary parent and needed to work-from-home. It was eventually published throughout the United States.

She received her first book deal when she was 27, and a year later, her life rights were optioned by Kelsey Grammer. The New York Times Magazine did a profile on Smiley that same year.

When Smiley’s husband was deployed overseas for a year in 2012, Smiley began inviting one stranger each week to fill her husband’s empty seat at the dinner table and to mentor their three sons. That year became the book DINNER WITH THE SMILEYS and a cover story for Parade Magazine.

Smiley is a recipient of the prestigious American Legion Public Spirit Award for her work with and for military families. Previous recipients include Hillary Clinton. In 2014, Smiley was invited to the White House to be the Obamas’ guest at a State Dinner with the French President.

Smiley and her husband, Dustin, who now flies for LifeFlight of Maine, have retired from the military and live full-time in Maine. Smiley is a frequent instructor at local universities.