17 Years Later, NICU Buddies End Up As Prom Dates - Cute Videos

Two teenagers, forever bonded by a stay in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, more than a decade and a half earlier, went to prom together.

Prom is a special time and a big deal for most high school students. It’s an opportunity to dress up, have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. For some students, they may choose to take their girlfriend or boyfriend as their date. Others may choose to attend alone and enjoy the evening in the company of friends.

However, for Tatum Kelly and Leighton Long, they have a connection that goes deeper than a high school sweetheart. As children, Tatum and Leighton were both born prematurely at the same Tennessee hospital, just days apart, according to the video posted on YouTube.

Due to their small size, both Tatum and Leighton spent time in the NICU. However, during their stay, Tatum’s and Leighton’s family’s bond. The video even shows the parents acting as matchmaker between the two small infants.

After they were both released from the hospital, the families, despite living hours apart, continued to remain in touch. Tatum and Leighton grew to be friends. In the clip, Tatum even referred to Leighton as her “best friend.”

So, 17 years later, when Tatum needed a date to her senior prom, she reached out to her friend from the NICU – Leighton. Of course, Leighton accepted, and the two friends spent the evening together, creating memories that both will remember forever.

“Even though we hadn’t seen each other for a few years, when we met up, it was like nothing had changed,” Tatum said. 

The clip mentions that Leighton even managed to surprise his date for the evening with a stretch limousine. 

“It was a really, really fun experience,” Leighton said. “It was so surreal.”

Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”