Millie Smith and her partner, Lewis Cann, were overjoyed to learn they were expecting identical twin girls. But just weeks later, their happiness turned to heartbreak when doctors told them that one of their babies had a fatal condition and would not survive after birth.

At 30 weeks, Millie delivered both girls, Callie and Skye. To everyone’s surprise, Skye cried when she was born and spent three precious hours with her family before passing away peacefully. Callie, born premature, stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to gain strength.

While at the NICU, a fellow parent made a lighthearted comment, saying Millie was “lucky” to only have one baby to care for. The remark was innocent but deeply painful, as no one knew about Skye. That moment inspired Millie to create a way to silently honor babies who are part of a multiple birth but didn’t survive.

She designed a purple butterfly sticker to be placed on incubators, symbolizing love and remembrance. Today, the Purple Butterfly Project, through the Skye High Foundation, is recognized in hospitals worldwide. Callie is now a joyful seven-year-old, and Skye’s legacy lives on, bringing comfort to families experiencing loss and creating awareness through a simple, powerful symbol.