Rhae Brienne with her moms by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer Lacey Sexson

On August 26, 2024, we heard the words no parent should ever hear — there was no heartbeat. Our daughter, Rhae Brienne, was stillborn at 32 weeks and 6 days on August 27, 2024, at 10:50 p.m. She weighed 4 lbs 5.3 oz and was 17 ½ inches long. She was perfect.

Rhae had two true knots in her umbilical cord. In a way, that gave us “physical answers,” but it didn’t ease the pain. We were still left with so many questions — the kind of questions that will never truly have answers.

When Rhae was born, she looked exactly like her mama. In the hours we had with her, we soaked in every detail of her face, her hands, her little feet. Our nurses gently mentioned that there was someone who could come and take photographs. At first, we said we only wanted pictures of Rhae — not of us with her. It felt too raw, too painful.

But then Lacey arrived.

From the moment she walked into our room, she brought a sense of calm and understanding that we didn’t even know we needed. We told her our wishes, and she gently looked at us and said, “I promise, you want them.”

She stayed with us for an hour. She sat with us, heart to heart, sharing in our grief, acknowledging every emotion we were feeling. She didn’t pressure us — she simply listened, shared her heart, and reminded us that this time, though impossibly short, was all the time we would ever have with our daughter.

Because of Lacey’s compassion and wisdom, we changed our minds. And that decision has forever changed our lives.

The photos she took are breathtaking. They captured our beautiful girl, our love for her, and the sacredness of those moments. When we saw the images for the first time, we just cried. We were — and still are — overwhelmed with gratitude. We will never have enough thank-you's for Lacey, for her presence, her words, and the gift she gave us.

Thank you, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, for being part of our story during the greatest heartbreak of our lives. Your mission made an everlasting impact on us, and on the memory of our precious daughter.

With love and gratitude,
Amorette & Vanessa

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit, offers families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss with complimentary remembrance portraits, capturing precious moments with their babies. Your generous donation can help us extend this heartfelt service to more families in need. Please consider supporting us here.