Lu Ann Brobst Staheli

When Hearts Conjoin Lu Ann Brobst Staheli

At 5:45 a.m. we started getting ready for the big day. We awoke Kendra and Maliyah, wanting to hold them for the last time as conjoined twins. "Is it Cut-Apart Day?" Kendra asked almost immediately. "Today is the day,: I said, hoping she wasn't worried, like I was.

I'm not sure worried is a strong enough word to describe how I felt. Terrified might be better. My nerves were raw, my emotions ready to erupt every second. I tried to stay positive so the girls wouldn't see how upset I was and become frightened themselves. If anything went wrong today - if I lost one or both of my precious daughters, I'd never be able to live with myself.