When Millie Smith and her partner Lewis Cann first learned they were expecting twin girls, their excitement filled every corner of their lives. They imagined two cribs, two tiny outfits, and a future shaped by shared milestones. That joy, however, was soon clouded by devastating news that would change everything. Doctors explained that while Millie was carrying identical twins, only one of the babies was expected to survive, a reality no parent is ever prepared to face.

Millie’s pregnancy quickly became classified as high risk, demanding constant monitoring and emotional resilience. At just thirty weeks, she gave birth to her daughters, Callie and Skye, on April 30. Callie fought bravely in the neonatal intensive care unit, while Skye lived for only three short hours. Those hours, though fleeting, became priceless memories etched forever into her parents’ hearts.

Inside the quiet, clinical environment of the NICU, Callie rested in her incubator under the watchful eyes of her grieving parents. The space beside her felt painfully empty without her twin sister. Even as Millie and Lewis tried to process their loss, they encountered moments that deepened the pain. One exhausted mother of healthy twins, unaware of their story, joked that Millie was “lucky” to have only one baby to care for. The comment, though innocent, struck like a blade, forcing Millie to relive her loss without warning.

That moment marked a turning point. Millie realized grieving parents should not have to repeatedly explain their heartbreak to strangers, nor should they endure careless remarks born from misunderstanding. It was during that fragile time that she noticed a small purple butterfly symbol nearby, and in that instant, Skye’s legacy began to take shape.

The journey to that moment had been filled with unimaginable decisions. Shortly after discovering she was pregnant with twins, Millie and Lewis received the diagnosis that one baby had anencephaly, a fatal neural tube condition. The silence during the ultrasound scan spoke louder than any words. Though the diagnosis was overwhelming, they chose to continue the pregnancy, determined to honor both of their daughters’ lives.

They named their babies Skye and Callie with intention and love. Skye’s name symbolized a place they could always look to when remembering her, a reminder that her presence would never truly disappear. Callie’s name represented strength and continuity, carrying forward the bond they shared.

When the emergency cesarean section took place, the couple was supported by compassionate staff and guided into a specially designated room designed to give families space and dignity during moments of loss. To everyone’s surprise, both babies cried at birth, a sound doctors had not expected from Skye. Millie and Lewis were able to hold their daughter, speak to her, and surround her with love until she passed peacefully in their arms.

In the days that followed, Callie remained in the NICU alongside other twins. While nurses were aware of Skye’s story, time gradually softened the conversations surrounding her. The absence of visible acknowledgment made moments like the careless comment from another parent even more painful, reminding Millie how invisible loss can feel.

Motivated by grief and a desire to protect others from similar pain, Millie took action. She created a simple poster and designed a purple butterfly sticker to place on incubators. The message was subtle yet powerful, signaling that a baby from a multiple birth had lost a sibling. Purple was chosen for its neutrality, and the butterfly symbolized fragility, transformation, and the idea of a soul that had gently flown away.

From that idea, the Purple Butterfly Initiative was born. What started as a personal act of healing grew into a movement embraced by hospitals worldwide. Through the Skye High Foundation, the initiative helps staff and visitors approach families with greater sensitivity, offering understanding without requiring painful explanations.

Today, Callie is seven years old, thriving with curiosity and joy. Though she grows up without her twin by her side, Skye’s presence lives on through every purple butterfly placed near a newborn’s crib. The foundation now provides cards, keepsakes, and educational materials that raise awareness about infant loss and support grieving families.

Millie often says that while nothing can erase the pain of losing a child, compassion can soften the edges of grief. Small gestures, like a simple sticker, can prevent wounds from reopening and remind parents they are not alone. Through Skye’s brief life, countless families around the world have found comfort, understanding, and the reassurance that their loss matters, and that their babies will always be remembered.