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Smiling preemie ‘Happy to be alive’

(WFLA)- An adorable photo of a smiling preemie baby is getting hundreds of thousands of likes on Facebook.

We’re not surprised. You can’t help but smile when you look at the photo.

Mother Lauren Vinje posted the photo of her daughter on the “Love What Matters” Facebook page. The picture was taken when her daughter was just five days old and only weighed 3 lbs and 4 oz.

“She was happy to be alive,” wrote Vinje in the post. “This picture was one I looked at often to get me through the ups and downs of our NICU days. Life is so precious.”

Vinje’s photo inspired other people to post photos of their preemies and themselves. It is very heartwarming to read through the comments and look at the photos.

“I was a preemie born at 24 weeks, 1 lb 7 oz back in 1989. No complications that I experience now although I had some growing issues when I was younger. I have to say, it’s what’s inspiring me to be a Nurse. I graduate with my RN in December and one day hope to work in the NICU,” said Heather Pascall in the comments section.

Pascall also posted a photo of herself as a grownup-no doubt, inspiring the parents of preemies.

As of Thursday afternoon, 295,000 people had liked Lauren Vinje’s photo and it has gotten more than 8,600 comments.