Ben & Lillian Luckett's NICU Story

Lillian and Ben Luckett went through four years of fertility treatments, surgeries, and many losses before finally expecting their miracle babies. At Lillian’s 20-week anatomy scan, she was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix and received a cerclage-a stitch to keep the cervix closed-the following week. Unfortunately, it didn’t hold as long as doctors hoped, and her water began to break at 25 and a half weeks. 

Lorelai and Shepherd were born at 26 weeks and 6 days’ gestation. Lorelai arrived first at 2 lbs. 3 oz, followed by Shepherd at 2 lbs. 6 oz. The family would spend the next three months in the GBMC NICU. 

Learning to Be Parents in the NICU 

“At first, we were devastated and felt so unprepared to step into parenthood,” Lillian recalls. “Knowing that we had a long NICU stay ahead of us, we were able to really lean on our nursing team and trust their knowledge. The NICU team educated us, and we grew into the confident parents we are today before we even left.” Lillian and Ben were able to meet with Dr. Susan Aucott a week prior to delivery, to discuss what a NICU stay would look like. 

Different Babies, Different Timelines 

Having twins in the NICU brought unique challenges. Lorelai and Shepherd moved at very different paces—Shepherd needed more respiratory support, while Lorelai progressed faster. Accepting that the twins wouldn’t accomplish milestones at the same time was difficult. Ben and Lillian both continued working from the NICU to save their parental leave, and the daily drives back and forth took a toll. 

But through it all, the NICU team carried them. 

A Team That Became Family 

The Lucketts connected with every nurse during their stay, but two stand out above all: Kelley Wright and Amanda Hindle. Having both nurses care for the twins repeatedly allowed a deep bond and trust to form. They held the Lucketts on the overwhelming days. 

Amanda, a passionate advocate for kangaroo care, helped Lillian experience her first tandem kangaroo hold—both babies resting against her chest at once. “That is a moment I will never forget,” Lillian says. 

The entire team made an impact: the respiratory therapists, the lactation specialists Erika and Isla, and the physicians. 

“It’s crazy to say, but the NICU team made it so hard to say goodbye,” Lillian shares. “We went from seeing them every day for three months to suddenly being on our own. They weren’t just our babies’ caregivers—they were our family.” While Lillian and Ben wish they could have experienced a typical birth story, the journey gave them a different outlook on parenthood and the miracles their babies are. “They are the strongest infants,” Lillian says. 

Milestones & Life Today 

During their NICU stay, the family celebrated countless milestones: first baths, coming off oxygen, breastfeeding, first bottles, first books, and reaching full-term gestation. 

Today, Lorelai and Shepherd are doing incredibly well—surpassing milestones for their adjusted age, getting chunky, and bringing joy to everyone around them. You’d never know they were micro-preemies. 

Your Gifts at Work 

During their stay, the twins were cared for in one of the new isolettes purchased with funds raised through a previous Father’s Day 5K. Isolettes are specialized incubators that serve as a premature baby’s first home outside the womb. They regulate temperature, humidity, and oxygen to recreate the environment these tiny babies still need in order to grow and survive. For babies born as early as Lorelai and Shepherd, isolettes aren’t a convenience—they’re a lifeline. The generosity of the GBMC community directly touched this family’s journey. 

“I can’t imagine not being under the care of the GBMC NICU,” Lillian says. “It was the most life-changing experience, not only because of our amazing team, but because of people who give.” 

Paying It Forward 

Lillian now serves on the GBMC fundraising committee because she knows firsthand what community support means for NICU families. The Lucketts are excited to return for this year’s Father’s Day 5K—not only to see their NICU family again, but to support the families who are still to come. 

“We encourage families with long NICU stays to really get to know your NICU team,” Lillian says. “They care for your babies so much—and they care for you.”

Support the Father's Day 5K & 1 Mile Walk Here. 

(Pictured above: Amanda, NICU Nurse, Kangaroo holding Shepherd & Lorelai)