JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Almost 10 months ago, two twin boys captured hearts in Jacksonville and all over the world. Carter and Conner were born conjoined, but after a 14-hour surgery at Wolfson Children's Hospital, they were successfully separated in May.
"It's just been a roller coaster that's for sure, a lot of ups and downs. But through it all the boys have just been really strong and they give us strength," says the boys' aunt, Jasmine Mirabal.
The boys are teaching everyone they meet that sometimes strength comes in the smallest of packages.
"We are blessed to be going through it because this doesn't just happen to anybody and they are miracle babies," tells mother, Michelle Brantley.
They are miracle babies that are just beginning to experience the world. Michelle remembers the exact moment big brother, Gage, saw his baby brothers separate for the first time.
"He was able to see both of them and he goes 'there's two!' and it was so cute," laughs Michelle.
From Carter learning to blow little raspberries and bubbles, to Conner and his ticklish feet, no matter what these boys face they always have a smile.
"We have been through a lot in the last nine months, but we are doing good," says Michelle.
Prayers from the community have meant the world to this family. On their Facebook page, Prayers for Carter and Conner, Jasmine has shared the milestones in the boy's lives. Like the first time the twins saw each other again after their separation surgery.
"I put him (Conner) up there and it was just amazing seeing them together for the first time. You could tell they remembered each other. Not that I ever thought they wouldn't, you could tell they remembered," tells Jasmine with a smile.
A bond between brothers that is unbreakable. Each carries a scar, but it is proof of an incredible journey they have lived together.
"It is just surreal almost because it is crazy to think back that four months ago they were conjoined twins. They were together and now they are separate. They are two separate babies growing healthy and becoming their own individuals and growing stronger and getting ready to come home," explains Jasmine.
Twins Carter and Conner, two little boys now separate... but forever connected by love.
