Her water broke before they could marry. So the NYC hospital nurse wed them and then delivered the baby

Maternity wards are places that deliver happiness, usually in the guise of babies. For one couple, however, it turned into an unusual sight. PEOPLE shared a story about a couple planning to get married after their blissful relationship, while also expecting their firstborn. As the wedding date inched closer, the universe turned their plans upside down, resulting in the baby arriving before schedule. However, against all odds, the couple found a way to have the best of both worlds!

Sleepy Hollow couple Michael Odland and Nora Regis, who have known each other since childhood but started dating much later in life, were looking forward to getting married before Nora’s due date for delivery in June 2024. The couple had planned a beautiful May wedding in the presence of only friends and family, but their plans seemed to clash with what the universe had in store for them as their baby arrived on April 18, 2024. “We had a shower planned for him, I had a grad school final, but he decided to come early,” Nora told the outlet. “So all those things have been put on hold.” Michael added, “You know what they say, you make plans and God laughs.”

The couple rushed to New York’s Northern Westchester Hospital when Nora’s water broke within 33 weeks of pregnancy. “Our first thoughts were just trying to assess the risk and making the choice to do a C-section,” Michael said. “That kind of allowed us to ask if this is being scheduled, do you have a chaplain, and can you marry us here?” On hearing the couple’s strange yet adorable request, Valerie Goodwin, one of the nurses, organised their wedding.

Under her guidance, some made a veil out of hospital gauze, some made a bouquet with flowers from the display, and others tried to find someone who could marry them.

Since it was late at night, there were no chaplains available — but as fate would have it, Michael “Rev” Revenson, an EMS paramedic who was a non-denominational officiant, happened to be there. “It was a last-ditch effort,” expressed Revenson. “My shift started at 11 p.m., so I said I can be right over. They already had their vows and their marriage license, so we were all set. And the hospital and staff really went above and beyond for this.”

Michael shared that after Revenson arrived, the nurses “formed an aisle” around them, making it seem like a real wedding; he said, “For me, it was just really moving.” Nora added, “It was really cool and sweet. They were all so excited, and it was really heartwarming.” Nora’s mother, who was preparing to be a grandmother that day, also became the couple’s wedding photographer. “So right after the wedding, we put on our scrubs,” Michael shared. “We’re walking to the delivery room, and it was like, that really did happen in the nick of time.”

According to an article published on Flo, a baby born between weeks 32 and 34 of pregnancy is “moderately” preterm. “Fortunately, modern science has greatly improved the survival rate of babies born at 33 weeks. Babies born at this stage have a 95 percent chance of survival.” Reflecting upon the unusual nature of this incident, Statista finds that almost 40% of births in the U.S. are actually from unmarried women.

No matter how life tries to alter our plans, it is essential to commit to what we want and look for solutions through the unexpected, just like Nora and Michael did. Truly, what a night to remember!