A Decade of Love and Family

This month marks the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling allowing same sex couples to be legally married. It also marks Karsten Vagner and Lee Bruner’s ten-year marriage anniversary. For Karsten and Lee, the landmark decision meant they were able to dream bigger than they imagined and become parents together.

In 2016, Karsten and Lee flew from the East Coast to our hospital, where their daughter, Josie, was born. Years later in 2023, the couple made the journey across the country again to show their daughter her birthplace. Walking in the hallways and viewing the rooms where Josie spent the first days of her life was memorable for the family.

“The nurses who took care of us that night changed our life,” said Karsten. “They were confident and kind. I’ll never forget them.”

Josie was filled with curiosity and joy upon touring her birthplace but was most excited about seeing the cute newborns and receiving a stuffed dog from our Associates.

Karsten, Lee and Josie, now eight years old, recently joined Good Morning America to reflect on their journey and the joy of being a family.

“Growing up, I never imagined I was allowed to dream this big,” said Karsten. “We’re an American family. And what we’re teaching our daughter – and what her and her friends are teaching us – is that all families look different, and we’re just a part of that.”