The NICU journey can be a long and stressful one for babies and their families, but it can also come with so many moments of joy. Staffers in one Boston NICU found a way to focus on fun for a night, and the pictures are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Caregivers in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital NICU decided to celebrate the upcoming graduation of three babies with an adorable prom-themed photoshoot. Newborns Alex, Maddie, and Della got all dressed up for the sweet event. The hospital says the families of all three babies had met and become friendly during their time in the NICU, and staffers simply wanted to do something nice for them.

Hospital holds prom for NICU babies.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Facebook

Baby Alex suited up in a miniature tux for the NICU prom, while Maddie and Della wore little dresses—complete with teeny tiny corsages, naturally. Staffers even hung homemade decorations for the festivities, but despite all the cuteness the hospital says all three little guests of honors fell asleep! Still, “the moment was a bright spot in their incredible journeys,” the hospital wrote on its Facebook page.

Hospital holds prom for NICU babies.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Facebook
Hospital holds prom for NICU babies.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Facebook

“For these parents, it was a night of laughter that followed many days of a stressful hospital admission and an experience they can carry with them throughout the days ahead,” said Mary Sawyer, one of the nurses who helped care for baby Maddie. “We in the NICU celebrate every moment and milestone, as we recognize it’s important for parents to know that their infants are making progress. ‘NICU prom’ just seemed like an ideal way to celebrate all of the infants’ and parents’ hard work before they ultimately graduate from the NICU.”

We whole-heartedly agree! A NICU stay isn’t the start in life any mama would wish for their newborn, but these tiny little warriors so often end up showing us just how amazingly strong they are. Whether their stay is a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, the journey is so worthy of celebration.