It's remarkable how some people can profoundly impact our lives and vanish once their work is done. In the healthcare field, many individuals save lives daily, and after offering their thanks, we may never reencounter them.
This story, however, highlights a particularly touching exception. A family was so moved by the care provided by a NICU nurse that they invited her to become a part of their family.
According to Good Morning America, Austyn Evans and her husband, Branden, faced a challenging situation when they discovered during her pregnancy that their son, Conrad, had a rare congenital disability called lower urinary tract obstruction. This condition can be life-threatening, prompting the couple to relocate from Florida to Houston in Austyn’s third trimester to ensure Conrad received specialized care at Texas Children's Hospital.
Austyn shared with Good Morning America, “Receiving such a diagnosis is extremely distressing. Many babies with this condition don't survive beyond birth or only live for a few days.”
Immediately after Conrad’s birth, he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit, where Carly Miller, a 27-year-old NICU nurse, began caring for him.
Austyn recounted to Today, “Carly was immediately warm and engaging. She constantly talked about how adorable Conrad was. Even while performing medical tasks, she spoke to him with a soothing, affectionate tone, trying to comfort him despite his sedation.”
Due to Conrad’s critical condition, Carly often focused solely on him, particularly during her night shifts. Austyn frequently received updates from Carly, who always began her calls with positive remarks.
“She would never start with the bad news. Instead, she’d say things like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s so cute,’ or, ‘The nurses all think he’s adorable,’ before sharing the medical details,” Austyn told Good Morning America. “It was a small gesture but made a huge difference.”
Carly's support was invaluable for the Evans family, who felt isolated due to COVID-19 and their separation from family.
Austyn mentioned to Today, “Being away from our loved ones made us feel isolated, and the relationship with Carly, which began professionally, grew deeply personal.” When Conrad needed to transition to a complex dialysis machine, Carly took the time to learn its operation to remain by his side.
After six months of dedicated care, Conrad finally returned home. Although their journey with Carly was ending, the family felt compelled to honor her significant role in their lives.
“We tried to keep things professional in the NICU, but the personal connections we made, the shared victories, and the tears were significant,” Evans told Today. “The thought of leaving without seeing Carly again was heartbreaking.”
To express their gratitude, the couple presented Carly with flowers and a card from Conrad, which included a note asking, “Will you be my godmother?”
Carly happily accepted the invitation.
“I am deeply honored,” Carly told Good Morning America. “This was an unexpected and significant gesture. It truly means the world to me.”