NFL player Ryan Kelly and his wife Emma have celebrated the arrival of their twin boys, Duke Thomas and Ford Patrick, on June 27. This momentous occasion, which came more than two months ahead of schedule, saw the twins born weighing only two pounds each. Their story is one of resilience, faith, and the unwavering support of family and friends.
The journey to parenthood for Ryan and Emma was anything but straightforward. They embarked on an in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey, opting for a “fresh transfer” of embryos rather than waiting for genetic testing. This decision meant allowing the embryo to mature and returning it to Emma’s body instead of freezing it for testing. The couple held their breath, hoping that at least one of the embryos would successfully implant.
The news they had been eagerly waiting for arrived after what Emma described as “the longest ten days of our lives.” The joy of pregnancy soon followed, and Emma sailed through her second trimester, celebrating with beautiful baby showers and even engaging in advocacy work to change laws related to stillbirths in Washington, D.C.
However, their story took an unexpected twist while attending a destination wedding in Nashville. Emma began experiencing symptoms of pre-term labor, and returning home to Indianapolis was deemed unsafe. “I found out that I would be giving birth in Nashville within days, if not hours,” Emma shared. The initial prognosis was that their twins might spend six months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) if all went according to plan. With unshakeable faith and trust in their medical team, Emma and Ryan embraced the unexpected journey.
The twins arrived and spent a challenging 85 days in the NICU. Emma and Ryan rented a home nearby to be close to their newborns. After the first month in the NICU, Ryan had to return to Indianapolis to start his football season, leaving Emma to navigate the demanding responsibilities of advocating for her sons, exclusively pumping breast milk, and providing essential skin-to-skin contact.
“It was a difficult journey. I cried frequently, and I still don’t fully understand why this is our story, but our boys are safe, healthy, and thriving,” Emma shared. She emphasized the vital role played by the dedicated medical team at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown and the unwavering support of their families and friends.
Emma also expressed deep appreciation for the Irsay family and the Indianapolis Colts, who ensured their safe journey back home with their precious newborns. This remarkable journey comes after nearly two years of fertility struggles, IVF treatments, and the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Mary Kate, at 19 weeks into Emma’s pregnancy.
The Kellys’ story serves as a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the love of family and friends. It is a reminder that even in the face of unexpected challenges, miracles can happen, and dreams can come true. Duke Thomas and Ford Patrick are not just twins; they are symbols of hope and the enduring strength of the human spirit. The Kellys’ journey to parenthood is an inspiring tale that will resonate with many, offering hope and encouragement to those facing their own trials and tribulations on the path to becoming parents.
