The day of miracles hasn’t stopped, but they might come in ways we don’t expect. Christie Sundberg Hailes shares how the Lord touched her family’s hearts and made them stronger by teaching them that families can be together forever.
“In 2014, my husband Brian and I had the chance to bring two conjoined twins, Ian and Aiden, into the world. Although they were only with us for a short time, they brought a deep love and left a lasting impact on many people. We didn’t know it at the time, but the pregnancy changed our family in many ways and became one of the most spiritual experiences we’ve ever had.
“We found out our boys were conjoined when I was just 10 weeks pregnant. There were so many worries and unknowns about what the future would hold, and we didn’t know how we were going to handle it. One night, when I couldn’t sleep, I stayed up and prayed for a miracle. I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, but I knew I needed one… and I fell asleep crying.
“The next morning, the miracle came—but it wasn’t what I expected. Our boys’ situation didn’t change, but our hearts did. All the prayers and fasting from family, friends, and neighbors gave us peace. We suddenly knew that whatever happened, the Lord would help us, and we felt that our Savior was close by.
“We went in for ultrasounds every two weeks and watched our boys face many challenges. They had a serious condition that made their lungs not develop properly. It became clear that they wouldn’t survive long. The doctors decided to deliver them via C-section at 26 weeks, expecting them to live only for a short time.
“We were blessed to spend 80 precious minutes with Ian and Aiden before they went back to heaven. That day, it felt like angels were around us, and the veil between this life and the next was thin. We were able to give them names and blessings before they left us.
“In the beginning, some people, including three doctors, asked if we wanted to end the pregnancy. For Brian and I, that was never something we considered. They were our babies, and we would do everything we could for them. We feel so lucky to be their parents. Knowing that we have two angels waiting for us in heaven gives us strength and comfort. Their gravestone says: ‘In life they were not divided, and in death, they were not separated.’ We look forward to the day when we can see them again and be reunited as a family forever.”