08/04/2026
"Our little miracle is home because of you."
After bringing their daughter, Oaklee, home from the Aurora BayCare Medical Center NICU, Jenn and Dan wrote a heartfelt letter to the neonatal team that cared for them during one of the most challenging times of their lives.
What they expected to be one of the happiest days of their lives quickly became filled with fear and uncertainty. Oaklee was born at 34 weeks due to preeclampsia. But throughout their journey, Jenn and Dan found comfort in their care team that celebrated every milestone, answered every question, offered reassurance during the most difficult days and cared for Oaklee with undeniable compassion and love.
"Somewhere along the way, you stopped being 'the NICU staff.' You became our family," they wrote.
As local dairy farmers, Jenn and Dan spent time getting to know their nurses, physicians and teammates while sharing their own stories about farm life, earning the nickname "the farmers" and forming lasting connections. Before they left, they thanked everyone with a written testament of the exceptional care they received — along with cheese and sausage trays. 🐄🧀
Today, Oaklee is just over 2 months old, doing well and already getting to visit the cows on the family farm.
Thank you, Jenn and Dan, for trusting us with your daughter's care and for sharing your beautiful words — and thank you to our Aurora BayCare NICU team for the hope and support you provide to families every day. 💙