A woman walked across the stage at her graduation with her 10-day-old baby girl by her side.
Grace Szymchack, from Michigan, has spent the past six years raising a family and working toward her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, as reported by Fox News.
She had been due to give birth to her second child on December 18, which was three days after her commencement ceremony on December 15, but the bundle of joy arrived earlier than expected.
On December 6, Szymchack had a C-section and welcomed her newborn, Annabelle, into the world. Despite the early birth, the mom-of-two remained adamant about attending her graduation at Ferris State University.
Like most new moms, Szymchack didn't want to be away from her baby, even for just a few hours. So her mother suggested that she keep her infant with her by tucking her underneath her gown, which is exactly what Szymchack did.
In a photo shared by the university, the mom could be seen beaming in a matching black cap and gown while her newborn, wrapped in a white blanket, slept in a black sling strapped to her chest.
Szymchack told local outlets that some people didn’t even notice the baby at the ceremony, as her daughter took the entire event in her stride and didn’t make a sound.
The graduate received her bachelor's degree, and her husband, Caleb, and additional family members were all present to cheer her on.
"It was just important for me to walk because I've been working on this degree for a long time," Szymchack said, per ABC News. "And with lots of support from my husband and family, I was just determined to actually walk and I just wasn't ready to leave [Annabelle] with anyone yet."
Szymchack, who currently works at a local hospital teaching a preschool class, hopes that she can become a teacher, telling Ferris News: "I love working with the littles the best … I feel like I can really make an impact there."
She also told Fox 59 that she would think about doing a Master’s degree, but will wait for her kids to get a bit older before deciding.
The doting parent hopes that her inspiring story can motivate other moms who want to receive their degrees.
"I teach in a state-funded program and I just hope it inspires other moms... to go back and finish the degree that they want or to start the degree that they have been hoping for," she said.
Congratulations to Grace Szymchack on her incredible achievement!