Our family was swept into a whirlwind-one of those moments in life where everything seems to happen all at once. It all began a week earlier, when my 84-year-old mother went in for a routine follow-up for diverticulitis, but was instead told to go directly to the ER at Danbury Hospital. On that same day, my 89-year-old father visited urgent care with symptoms of a UTI. Though initially sent home with antibiotics, his condition rapidly worsened, landing him in the ER just days later.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of crowded ERs, the long waits, etc. But from the moment we entered Danbury Hospital, we encountered something entirely different. Every nurse, doctor, resident, aide, and technician wrapped us in care that was not only expert but felt truly personal. This was particularly poignant for my mom, who spent 30 years as a nurse at Danbury Hospital, beginning her own career in the very ED where she found herself. She felt cared for, seen, and yes, even cherished- like a beloved colleague returning home.

Both of my parents were admitted. My mom would begin her stay in the beautiful Buck Pavilion on the 8th floor and would soon learn that she would need surgery. Because of her kidney and heart conditions, this news brought a quiet fear to all of us.

Meanwhile, my father was admitted to 12 Tower West, where doctors and nurses went through a thorough check of all of his symptoms and eventually determined that he had Anaplasmosis.

Through all of this, one quiet detail ached deeply in my heart: my parents hadn’t seen each other since my mother’s admission. As we waited for the day of surgery to be confirmed, I was overwhelmed by the thought that they might not see each other again.

My Mom’s surgery was originally supposed to be on the Monday after my Dad’s admission. However, and thankfully, her surgery got bumped until Tuesday-as my Dad was barely awake on Monday. Tuesday is when the magic of the 12 Tower began. One might say it continued, as they had met in Danbury Hospital 62 years ago, when my Mom was a student nurse and needed kidney surgery and was roommates with my Father’s sister, their matchmaker.

It was 10 am, and the floor was buzzing with the usual morning activity. And yet, when I gently asked my Dad’s nurse, Michelle, if there was any way my Dad might be able to visit my mom, just for a moment. She looked at me with warmth and resolve. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation, and a knowing look in her eyes. While already late for a staff meeting, Michelle immediately began orchestrating what can only be described as a love story moment. She brought in L, a kind and gentle aide, to help clean and dress my father. M came in to assist with the transport. S, another aide, overheard the plans and asked to please be part of the magic. And then Michelle, the heart behind it all, found a single yellow rose for my father to give to my mother.

And with that, they wheeled my dad, dressed, groomed, and holding a rose, up to the 8th floor, where he saw my mom for the first time in days. It was quiet, emotional, and tender. There were tears and a whole lot of smiles in what was such a scary situation for all of us. That simple reunion was staged with so much care and compassion by Michelle, L, S, and so many others.

Thankfully, my mother’s surgery was a success. She would eventually join my Dad on the 12th floor, where Michelle, S, and L continued to take incredible care of them until they left for rehab. Words will never be able to thank the team at Danbury Hospital. Not only for the incredible care and attention, but for the “moment” they gave my parents. We will be forever grateful!