The Methodist Women's Hospital NICU in Omaha, Nebraska, has a very special place in the hearts of Drew and Taylor Deras.

Both nurses, the couple met while working in the NICU, and were married in 2020. The following year, Drew and Taylor had a very challenging case that became very close to their hearts.

In May 2021, baby Ella was born at only 23 weeks, and as a result, was extremely fragile.

Taylor told Good Morning America that at the time,

I knew I kind of wanted that challenge as a nurse to be able to take care of her and kind of see where things would go and what she would do.

Drew added:

She was at the very edge of being able to survive, essentially.

But Ella did survive.

However, after 7 months in the NICU, she was placed in the custody of the state.

It broke Taylor's heart.

As she became a ward of the state, I actually turned to Drew and I was like, 'I really do care for her, and I want to bring her home and care for her as our child.' So it was, I loved her as my patient, and then once we became foster parents, I loved her as my own child.

Beginning in December 2021, the Deras family became Ella's foster family. Ella continued to spend much of her life in the hospital, eventually transferring to another hospital for further care, but this time with a mom and dad at her side.

On November 18, 2023 (which also happens to be National Adoption Day!) the couple officially adopted Ella.

Taylor said of their adoption day,

When the judge said, 'She is now your child,' it was … this is what we've been praying for and what we've been wanting. And it was really like a dream come true.

Their miracle baby is now almost 3, and despite what doctors predicted during her early days fighting for her life in the NICU, she is walking and talking and her health is continually improving!

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