Nine people. Three dogs. Seven children. One house. There is no shortage of activity in the Seward household.

Two paths crossed in October 2017 through Scarlet’s brother-in-law, who suggested a double date in Mississippi. Scarlet was not interested in driving more than six hours for a date. She told him that if his friend was interested, he could call her.

Darrington called and asked if he could take her on a date in Nashville. “I was impressed with his confidence and charming personality,” Scarlet said. They dated long distance before Scarlet moved to Mississippi in July 2018. In December 2018, they got engaged in Prague while visiting family and friends in Europe. They married in August 2019, becoming the Seward family with children, Pinky, Jack, Sam and Knox.  Adele arrived in May 2021, followed by twins Paul and Charles in July 2024.

The family’s story also has a connection to Scarlet’s late paternal grandmother. In 2005, she had met and hosted Darrington when he was a groomsman in Scarlet’s sister’s wedding. “I find it heartwarming that my grandmother did in fact get to meet my husband,” Scarlet said. “It’s unique to see how God wove our lives together before we even knew each other.”

With a family of nine most of the Seward’s daily activities center around their seven children. 

Pinky, whose full name is Mary Elizabeth, is a senior at Ole Miss majoring in marketing and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Pinky enjoys pooltime and traveling to fun destinations with friends.

Jack is a freshman at Ole Miss majoring in finance and a Sigma Nu pledge. At Jackson Academy, he was recognized as a MAIS 4A All Star and was a starter his senior year when they won the state football championship. 

A senior at Jackson Academy, Sam, is a JA Rowdy and avid fisherman. He has taken fishing trips with his dad and grandparents to the Florida Keys for tarpon and South Louisiana for redfish and speckled trout. 

Knox, a sophomore at Jackson Academy, is part of the Raider Network team, where he oversees replay footage for the football season. “Knox is the entrepreneur of the family. Darrington and I joke that he will be the one to take care of us in our old age,” Scarlet said.

Together, Scarlet and Darrington have their “little socialite” Adele, and twins Paul and Charles. “Adele has brought much joy into our life with her infectious smile and big hugs.” Adele makes friends wherever she goes whether it be at school, ballet or church. Paul and Charles like to cuddle and chase the Sewards’ three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Liza, Chloe and Benji. They enjoy cleaning the house with their toy vacuums and making a big splash whether it be in the pool, bathtub and unfortunately sometimes a toilet.

Scarlet and Darrington purchased their Bridgewater home in February 2019, shortly after their engagement. They were looking for more space and a location closer to where the children attended school.

They found it almost by accident.

“We were driving around Bridgewater one day after church and stumbled upon an open house,” Scarlet said. That was it. After renovating the house, the family moved in during April 2021, just one month before Adele was born. “It’s been nothing short of a WILD ride and immeasurable blessings having such a full house!” Scarlet said.

For the Sewards, Bridgewater has become a place where their children can grow up surrounded by friends and where the family has developed relationships with neighbors. “We have the sweetest neighbors who have always made Bridgewater feel like home,” Scarlet stated.

With such a large family, finding something everyone can do together is not always easy.  One thing that works is dinner. “We usually eat dinner together 3 to 5 nights a week,” Scarlet said. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents gather for food and gifts. “It’s one of my favorite times of the year having so many loved ones in our home,” Scarlet said.

The Seward family is a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson, has Ole Miss football season tickets, and takes beach vacations during the summer. 

After moving to the Jackson area, Scarlet worked on the C Spire Tech Movement, which focused on increasing computer science education across Mississippi.

In 2020, she decided she wanted to be home with the children. She became involved in their academics and sports and developed wonderful friendships through their years at Jackson Academy. She currently serves the community through her church and the Junior League of Jackson.

Darrington is the owner and operator of Seward and Son Planting Co. He also serves as a Bank of Yazoo Board Member, Silver Creek Gin Board President and Chairman of the Yazoo County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners.

The Sewards know life in a blended family of nine has its ups and downs.

“What I have learned is that there always needs to be space and grace for everyone's feelings,” Scarlet noted. “Our family has grown closer over the last several years. I thank the Lord for His blessing.” 

There is always another school year, fishing trip, family gathering or preschool adventure ahead. There are meals around the table, children coming and going, dogs looking for a place to nap and neighbors who have become friends. That may be the best description of life in the Seward home.

It is a full house. And for Scarlet and Darrington, that is the point.

“We look back on our early years with gratitude, our current season with contentment (and if we’re honest sometimes exhaustion), and our upcoming years with excitement.”