There is no denying that nurses are incredible people. They go above and beyond for their patients and are often the difference in patient experience and quality of care.

This 25-year-old neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse from Houston is no exception. But this moment went above and beyond the call of any nurse.

Claire Mills was at her second week at Houston Methodist Hospital when she was recalls being called to an emergency cesarean delivery.

May of 2019, everything changed for Claire and new baby Jackson-Jude. A three-pound, 10-ounce preemie completely changed her world.

“Immediately felt an instant connection with him,” she told ABC13. “He just felt very familiar to me. I feel like I know him.”

God always has a plan.

Claire told Inside Edition that she had been working as a nurse for three years prior and had never felt that connection before. No patient ever touched her in the same way.

Mills knew she wanted to be a mom but adoption certainly wasn’t on her radar yet. She had just purchased her home in Sugarland, Texas, and was working at two hospitals to pay the bills she told Good Morning America. At 25, single, and a new homeowner, being a mother was far from in her immediate plans.

Mills spent a large portion of her time caring for the baby, born five weeks too early. The bond was something Mills could not shake.

Which is why she was devastated when she found out that baby Jackson and his mom had been discharged from the hospital.

Mills immediately contacted Child Protective Services after finding out that Jackson’s parents would be unable to care for him. She offered herself in any way possible.

Mills was shocked when she got a direct phone call from Jackson’s biological mother.

Jackson’s birth mother had asked if Claire wanted to raise Jackson-Jude.

“She heard about how connected I felt to him, how I was so upset with his discharge,” she told Inside Edition.

Clare says that Jackson’s biological mother said that this felt like a sign from God and that Jackson belonged with Claire.

“My first thought was, ‘what are the logistics and how do I do this the right way?'” she told Good Morning America.

Like most 25-year-old single women who work long shifts, she needed to consult with her family first. While the connection was intense, she needed to be sure she could give Jackson the care and attention he needed.

Would her family think she’s nuts for wanting to tackle motherhood right now?

Quite the opposite.

Claire’s parents were ecstatic to help her. They volunteered to babysit whenever she needed it. Makes those 12-hour hospital shifts a bit easier knowing you have a family so willing to help.

It’s been a surreal moment for Claire. Everything came together perfectly in a way that Claire feels had to be divine.

Jackson’s birth mother is still involved Claire says.

Jackson is doing great and loved by everyone around him. They simply couldn’t imagine their life without Jackson.

While this may not be the future Claire had in mind, “I know it’s meant to be so I know everything is going to work out,” she said to ABC13. “It has to.”

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Source: Good Morning America, ABC13, Inside Edition