The daughter of Daniel and Marija Sparano, Nina Sparano, was born with Pierre Robin syndrome and has since endured numerous operations and extensive therapy.

Nearly a year after their birth, two sets of identical twin sisters had their first encounter.

Good Morning America reported that Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City performed a cesarean section 11 months ago to deliver Nina and Emma Sparano.

According to Dr. Dennis Davidson, a neonatologist and the head of the Baby and Toddler Unit at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Nina, the younger sister, was born with Pierre Robin syndrome, a condition that affects only a small percentage of people.

The disease, in the words of Davidson, “is often characterized by an underdeveloped jaw, a cleft palate, and a tongue positioned further back in the mouth.”

Nina was taken to Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla in September, where she received ongoing care, according to GMA and Westchester News 12.

Despite the fact that Emma is still in the hospital, Nina was able to meet her for the first time on Monday.

According to GMA, father Daniel Sparano, 36, said it was “simply so lovely” to be with both of his children at once. Marija Sparano, his 37-year-old wife, held Nina during the wonderful reunion.

“I started crying as soon as we walked out of the hospital,” she reportedly said to the news organization. It was very emotionally draining.

Nina and Emma are monochorionic diamniotic twins, according to the findings.

Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins share one placenta while in separate amniotic sacs, according to the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University.

Daniel claimed that Nina’s “basically stuck in her sac,” which prevented her from growing normally inside the womb.

The twins’ father told the website, “She was growing with [the sac] covering her lips and pulling her jaw down, resulting in a… cleft palate.”

Nina was admitted to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital not long after she was born, according to GMA.

Davidson claims that Nina has undergone numerous surgeries to correct her jaw and has also undergone considerable rehabilitation both before and after the procedures.

Nina has “quadrupled her birth weight” of 4.5 pounds after being committed to Blythedale, according to Davidson. “Nina has reached so many crucial developmental milestones since she was admitted to Blythedale,” Davidson says.

Ultimately, according to GMA, Nina and Emma’s first encounter took occurred on Monday near Blythedale.

“For our medical staff, it was a very special moment to watch Nina reunite with her twin sister Emma, and the family all together for the first time since the girls were born,” says Davidson to PEOPLE.

Nina is a “little warrior,” Marija said, according to ABC affiliate WABC-TV, adding, “She’s like a caterpillar developing into a butterfly.”

“Slowly. “Their mother added, slowly. She’ll arrive on schedule.