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DAPHNE, Ala. — After spending the last six months battling a life-threatening respiratory condition, Bayside junior Katie Hamlin has finally come home.

Led by a police escort, Hamlin and her family on Thursday drove slowly down Hillwood Circle as 250 people — many who held “welcome home Katie” signs — lined the street.

Katie stood up in her mother’s minivan, her head sticking out of the sunroof, and wore a look of surprise and gratitude at the outpouring of support.

When asked how she felt to finally be home, Hamlin said, “Oh my God; thank you Jesus! I didn’t know there was going to be so many people here. It feels great!”

Katie said one the first things she wants to do now that she’s home is to play with her dog and to drive her car around the block — simple moments she missed while hospitalized.

See the rest of this story in the Jan. 16 Daphne Bulletin.