Hours After Twin Towers Fall, Lemont Family Welcomes Twin Daughters

On Sept. 11, 2001, many Americans spent the morning glued to their televisions, transfixed by the devastation and sadness of the attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Lemont couple Dave and Linda Molitor, however, were at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. At 10:20 a.m., just two and a half hours after the first plane hit the World Trade Center, the Molitors welcomed their first daughter, Aubrey.

Four minutes later, Aubrey's twin sister, Amber, was born.

Dave Molitor, the current vice president of the Board of Education, shared his memories of that fateful morning in an email to Patch.

"I remember the nurse coming in to tell us the news of the first tower being hit and we turned on the television to witness the events that unfolded that day," he wrote. "I remember the shocked looks on the faces of the hospital staff who were staring in stunned silence as tragedy unfolded. As we watched the second plane fly into the tower, we knew it was no longer an accident."

Despite the tragedies occurring nearly 1,000 miles away, the Molitors found joy in the birth of their twin daughters.

"At a time when the world was shocked by what was unfolding, few rays of light were seen that day amidst the clouds of smoke left behind by the twin towers falling," Dave wrote. "If there ever was something to celebrate that fateful day, for our family, it was the birth of our daughters."

Dave's mother, Marilyn Molitor, said her granddaughter's arrival "brought joy to the whole family on an otherwise sad and scary day."

This year, as the twins celebrate their 10th birthday and the nation commemorates the anniversary of the attacks, Dave said his family continues to be grateful for timing of Aubrey and Amber's birth.

"As we reflect back on the events of that day, I continue to tell my daughters, 'Of all the things that happened on that day, your birth was the most significant to us. For our friends and family, instead of thinking about the tragedy of that day, were able to focus on something wonderful,'" Dave said. "If we are to ever move forward from the tragedy of that day, we must hold to those small rays of light. I do, every day since."

Aubrey and Amber's grandfather, Wayne Molitor, shared with Patch a poem he wrote in honor of the girls' 10th birthday and the anniversary of 9/11.

Two Beautiful Girls: Sept. 11, 2001

Two iconic towers fall

The horrors of a cruel world emptied our souls

God's two blessings, born on a tragic day

Happiness and joy fill our hearts

New born babes, strength of family, hope for the future

Our nation struggles to heal

Our girls grow, year after year

Two beautiful girls