In November there was a day I was not expecting.  Earlier that week, I was having contractions and thus the team at Sanford was doing all they could to stop my pre-term labor.  Eventually, the call was made to deliver our twin girls at 29 weeks and one day.   I was terrified at what was to come.  When I woke up from surgery and was told about the state of our girls and where they were in the NICU, I was wheeled up to see them.  

Honestly, I can’t remember much from that trip, nor the next few days when we would visit.  The first clear visit was with my sister, me, and Nurse Julie. Julie had a no-nonsense attitude, but also had such a gentle way with my girls.  She answered all my questions and seemed to truly care about my concerns.  I remember walking out of the NICU that night feeling calmer and more relaxed than I had since before the contractions started.  Julie was my nurse for the girls the next few nights, and during those visits, we shared stories of our families, and my sister, husband, and I admired her gift of crochet when she would share pictures.  

Eventually, Julie was no longer our nurse, but one night a week or so after her time with us, we arrived one night to find two little pairs of pink and purple crocheted socks made just for our girls. Someone who knew our little family for a week took time out of their day to make something so beautiful and special.  I was blown away again by her compassion, care, and excellent care of our girls.  For these reasons, among many others, we nominate Nurse Julie.