To welcome 2018, the Hatleys were ardently awaiting the arrival of their little one due to arrive just days prior. However, on the 8th of March, right before the due date, Kelli went into labor and wasn’t met with the expected results.

Brent remembered having to rush to the hospital during his interview with PEOPLE, all thanks to Kelli’s water breaking at their place. “Unfortunately,” he added, “the little one had already made up their mind and wasn’t about to wait!”

Kelli desperately needed emergency surgery and the physicians soon identified that the infant was in a precarious situation. Promptly, they decided to conduct an emergency C-section; yet, regrettably, the baby was not able to be resuscitated.

Reeling from the experience, Brent articulated that it was the toughest situation he had ever endured; Kelli was beyond despair, both of them embracing as they wept.

Through this dark period of grief, Brent and Kelli were truly there for one another, offering strength when needed most. They found solace in the embracing arms of their partner, their sustaining companion amidst the mourning process. Brent reminisced, “We just did our best to always keep each other’s spirits high.”

Last May, Harper arrived in the world and illuminated their lives with newfound joy. Armed with a healthy baby girl, the couple felt blessed by the appearance of their very special “rainbow baby”. Brent express his happiness with, “She has truly been a beacon of hope and happiness to us!”

Kelli and Brent have elected to publicly share their experience so as to both encourage and comfort individuals that may be enduring a similar ordeal. “We are hoping to make people aware that they are not isolated in this situation,” Brent commented. “We ardently believe nobody should confront this without assistance.”