Couple Receives a Rare Prenatal Diagnosis for Unborn Baby. 

When Stephanie and Alex learned they were expecting, they imagined the usual moments: ultrasound pictures, nursery plans, and a joyful gender reveal. But their journey to parenthood took a heartbreaking turn when a prenatal test revealed their unborn daughter had Trisomy 13 — a rare and typically life-limiting chromosomal condition.

Still, amid the grief, they chose to celebrate. And that decision deeply moved millions.

In a now-viral TikTok, the couple is seen in a quiet park, slicing into a gender reveal cake. A pink center signals they’re having a girl — Isla — and the caption reads, “We love you so much baby girl and we’re here to celebrate every moment of your life no matter how long we get with you.”

Stephanie tells PEOPLE, “Part of my grieving process has been allowing myself to still celebrate and do all the ‘normal’ pregnancy things regardless of her diagnosis. This little moment brought us so much joy.”

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Stephanie and Alex met in high school and have been married for seven years. After moving frequently due to Alex’s military service, they settled in Colorado Springs and started trying for a baby. Following a miscarriage, they were thrilled to learn they were expecting again.

@stephhvarner

Our sweet baby Isla 🤍 Part of my grieving process has been allowing myself to still celebrate and do all the “normal” pregnancy things regardless of her diagnosis. This little moment brought us so much joy and what a fun way to find out we’re having a baby GIRL #genderreveal

♬ Landslide (Instrumental Guitar) – Go Fret

But a routine prenatal test at 12 weeks flagged their pregnancy as high risk for Trisomy 13. The final diagnosis came at 18 weeks. “It comes with a lot of complications,” Alex explains. “She could pass at any point in the pregnancy or shortly after birth.”

Despite the emotional toll, they leaned into faith and each other. “We’ve just been taking it day by day,” Stephanie says. “There are new emotions every single day, but I’m thankful we have each other.”

Both their families, along with strangers online, offered overwhelming support. “So many people have messaged us,” Stephanie says. “I never imagined this video would connect us with so many.”

At first, she wasn’t sure she could bring herself to do a gender reveal. “When we found out something might be wrong, it felt like everything was taken away,” she says. But they decided to move forward — not in denial, but in love. “We weren’t sure what the outcome would be, but we knew we wanted to love her no matter what.”

Alex recalls the moment clearly. “It was emotional, but I was still happy to find out we were having a girl.”

That day in the park became a turning point. “It helped me realize I wanted to be intentional about celebrating her life,” Stephanie says. She created a small corner in the nursery, picked out storybooks, and writes daily letters in a journal. “Even little things like going to the movies and feeling her kick — I try to savor every moment.”

Stephanie says the realization that she might spend more time with Isla during pregnancy than after birth shaped her mindset. “I want the time we do have together to be filled with love.”

Online, their story struck a chord. One woman messaged to say she wished she had allowed herself to celebrate her baby, too. “That stuck with me,” Alex says. “It reminded us why it’s worth sharing our story.”

Stephanie hopes other parents facing similar diagnoses know they’re not alone. “Trisomy 13 is so rare, and at first I felt like I couldn’t find anyone who understood,” she says. “But hearing from others helped. I hope we can be that source of comfort for someone else.”

Their choice to continue the pregnancy wasn’t easy, but it was rooted in deep conviction. “From the beginning, we knew we wanted to carry her,” Stephanie says. “We had prayed for her for so long.”

They also recognize that every family’s path looks different. “To each their own,” she says. “This is just what we felt the Lord was calling us to do.”

Now, they wait and hope. “If we get to meet her, even just for a short time, it’s going to be a blessing,” Alex says.

“We’re really looking forward to meeting her,” Stephanie adds. “Even if it’s just for a moment.”

As their video continues to resonate, Stephanie wants the takeaway to be one of faith, resilience, and love. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,” she says. “And He’s walking us through this — every single step.”