They say not all heroes wear capes. 

The expression aptly characterises the courageous deeds of a 17-year-old ex-student from Vaiola College in Savai'i. 

He endangered his own life to rescue a 55-year-old grandmother from Faleasi'u, who was in danger of drowning at Vavau Beach on the South Coast of Upolu on Mother's Day this year.

Lorenzo Kalena Toleafoa from Sapapali'i in Savai'i bravely saved Galumalemana Hemara Tumua in May of this year and saved the Laulu family from Faleasi'u from what could have been a tragedy.

Galumalemana was unconscious after the incident and was rushed to the hospital by a pastor and his wife who were also at Vavau on the same day.

When she regained consciousness, she immediately begged her husband and granddaughter to search for whoever rescued her so she could thank him personally.

Her granddaughter made a Facebook post appealing the public to help locate the rescuer as Galumalemana wanted to meet him desperately. 

The reunion was quite emotional at the hospital when Lorenzo and his father traveled over from Savai'i to meet with Galumalemana and her family. 

And while there were tears shed inside the national hospital in Moto'otua, the Laulu family were happy and grateful that they were tears of joy and thanksgiving and not sorrow.

Galumalemana fought hard to hold back her tears when she finally hugged her rescuer, Lorenzo.

"If it weren't for you, I would not have been able to see my husband, children, and grandchildren again," Galumalemana said to the brave young man from Savai'i. 

"Thank you so much, you are a lifesaver, an angel sent from above."

Galumalemana went to Vavau for a church youth group retreat to accompany her granddaughter.

She said there were so many at the beach on that day.

But out of all the people who were at Vavau, it was the teenager from Sapapali'i that came to the rescue. 

"Because of your bravery, I am here; alive and able to see and spend time with my precious family and children. I can never thank you enough for that. 

"I will always remember what you did and starting from now on, you will be my angel. You have a special place in my heart and will call you my son. You are the son I never had and I believe God placed you right there so you can save me and so we can cross paths.
"When I opened my eyes and saw my husband and granddaughter, the only person I wanted to see was this boy who rescued me."

Lorenzo's father, Lia Toleafoa was proud of his son.

"As a dad, I was shocked at first, but with a grateful heart, I thanked our Heavenly Father for placing one of these very rare qualities in my son, that is the heart to help those in need," Lia said. 

"According to my son, Galumalemana wasn't the only person he saved on Monday. He also helped a mother and her two children who almost drowned at sea on the same day.

"He said he was reluctant at first when he saw that Galumalemana was drowning because he was scared. However, he gathered the courage and swam to her.  

Galumalemana's daughters residing in Australia and New Zealand were also on video call the entire time at the hospital and they each thanked Lorenzo for saving their mother. 

The family also gifted him with an iPhone so they could keep in contact with their "brother" Lorenzo and provided $300 tala for their fare back to Savai'i. 

"I only have daughters and had always wanted to have a son," Galumalemana said while fighting to hold back her tears. 

"But Lorenzo is the son I never had and I owe my life to him. From now on, you will be my son and I will spend the rest of my days thanking God for you."