Former NICU Baby Serves as Ring Bearer in His Nurse’s Wedding After Family Forms a ‘Sweet Connection’

A touching bond formed in the NICU came full circle when 3-year-old Rhett Smith served as ring bearer in the wedding of the nurse who cared for him as a newborn.

Nurse Gabby Chandler met Rhett in October 2022 when he was born five weeks early and spent 18 days in the NICU at HCA Healthcare Center in Florida. His adoptive parents, Ken and Elizabeth Smith, had rushed from Kansas City to be with him — and found comfort in Chandler’s care.

“Gabby, from the beginning, was our constant source of reassurance and calm,” Elizabeth tells PEOPLE. “She is a ray of sunshine, an angel on Earth.”

Ken adds, “She went above and beyond — helping with baths, checking on us, letting us rest. She treated us like family.”

That connection continued long after Rhett left the hospital. Chandler stayed in touch, attending Rhett’s birthday parties and welcoming visits from the Smiths.

In January, Chandler invited the family to her Florida wedding and asked Rhett to be her ring bearer — and his sister Madison to be a bridesmaid.

“I chose Rhett because our bond went beyond nurse and patient,” Chandler says. “They were like family to me, and I wanted them by my side on my special day.”

Now expecting her first child, Chandler hopes Rhett and her baby will grow up to share the same close friendship she built with his family.

“I’m praying they become best friends,” she says.