x
Breaking News
More () »

Connecticut couple marries in New London NICU

They originally planned to be married on April 30, but they had a baby on April 21 and decided to get married at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital on Wednesday.

NEW LONDON, Conn. — It's not unusual for folks to get married on a weekday, but it's not often you hear about the wedding being held inside of a neonatal intensive care unit.

Grier Stanley and Jason Barnwell were due to be married on April 30 but, "Drue had other plans," said Jason Barnwell on Wednesday.

Drue Barnwell is the couple's daughter, who was born April 21 in Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London just 28 weeks into Grier's pregnancy.

RELATED: Hartford non-profit helps mothers find baby formula as national shortage continues

"She was 2.61 (pounds) at birth and she's a little over 8 pounds now," said Grier Stanley Barnwell

"She's doing now remarkably well but it's been a three-month experience for this family with plenty of ups and downs," said Dr. James Pellegrini of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

Today was one of those ups, as Jason and Grier were married in the presence of perhaps the world's youngest ever Maid of Honor, who still calls the L & M NICU home.

"We can't have family but you know the NICU crew is our family and Father Tony is too and so why not and we get to leave as the Barnwell family," said the new mom.

Not only were their families not permitted to be part of the NICU nuptials, the couple, who met over a year ago on a dating website, didn't actually tell their families they were getting married today.

"We will be sending a message right after this," Grier said with a laugh.

Their priest. Fr. Anthony DiNoto, of St. John's Episcopal Church in Niantic, said officiating today's marriage will be among the more memorable events in his career.

Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines

"I've given out ashes on Ash Wednesday at Foxwoods Casino," DiNoto said. "I was present at the John F. Kennedy Memorial service when I was in Greenwich. I baptized an emergency room doctor, who treated me and today is just an amazing moment of grace for all of us."

Baby Drue's appreciative father poured his heart out to the L & M staff.

RELATED: Finding assistance with breastfeeding as baby formula shortage continues

"Without you guys, you know, she wouldn't be here," an emotional Jason Barnwell said. "So thank you, I appreciate it."

Grier Barnwell said if all goes well, the Drue crew will be together walking out of the hospital for the first time as a family of three, perhaps as soon as Friday.

Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

---

Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com

----

HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS

Download the FOX61 News APP

iTunes: Click here to download

Google Play: Click here to download

Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.

Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTERFACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

Before You Leave, Check This Out