For the past 10 months, Teon Kennedy has been spending every waking moment with his girlfriend, Martine Drouillard, as their infant daughter fights for her life.
Baby Morgan was born on April 12, 2020, at just 25 weeks gestation.
The infant was moved to the NICU at NewYork-Presbyterian Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns back in August. Since then, Teon and Martine have gotten to know the compassionate staff members, who gave their baby girl the nickname “Queen of the NICU.”
After spending so much time at the hospital, Teon felt that it was time to do something he’d wanted to do for ages: Ask Martine to marry him! Not only that, but he also wanted the hospital staff’s help to make the proposal as memorable as possible!
“It’s something that had been on my mind for so long,” Teon said. “I just never had the right moment to make it happen, but our daughter has made tremendous progress at NewYork-Presbyterian. And the team here, they treat us like family, so this was the best place to make this happen.â€
Teon had originally planned to propose to Martine before she gave birth, but the mom’s severe preeclampsia required a premature C-section.
“We originally had a baby shower planned,” Teon explained. “I was going to propose. And because she gave birth at 25 weeks, we weren’t able to hold a baby shower.”
So instead, on February 11, 2021, hospital workers lined up along the NICU hallway to welcome Martine. They each read sections from a poem Teon had written her, and they’d decorated Morgan’s room and ward with hearts, a rose petal-strewn red carpet, and electric tea lights.
As for Morgan, she was decked out in a “Mommy, Will You Marry Daddy?” onesie and a “Maid of Honor” banner. The moment Martine realized how far Teon had gone to create the perfect proposal for her, she burst into happy tears.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Teon got down on one knee and asked Martine to be his wife. He offered her not one, but two beautiful rings so that she could choose her favorite. Of course, she said yes!
Morgan’s care team was honored to be included in such a special moment.
“As soon as we all found out that he wanted to do it here and have the staff play a very significant role in the proposal, it brought tears to everyone’s eyes,” said Samantha Lentin, a child life specialist. “It really meant that we’re a part of their family. We’ve been through it all with them, and he trusted us. We wanted to be able to build these memories with them and make it as amazing as we could for them.”
This caring team of medical providers became like family to Teon, Martine, and Morgan, so it makes perfect sense that they’d be included in this special day. Congratulations to the happy couple and their whole extended family!
Watch the sweet proposal play out in the video below, and be sure to share this story.
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