A couple celebrated the 'best present ever' following the birth of their first baby who arrived - on mum and dad's joint birthdays. Simone Milner turned 29 on November 18 - partner Matthew Leigh's 40th - after little Alma Leigh held on a couple of weeks past her due date to share their special day.
The couple have celebrated their joint birthday for six years now and were over the moon to welcome Alma to the party - describing her as the 'most special birthday gift'. Alma was due on November 3, but held off until her parents' birthday, arriving a full 15 days later than expected.
Simone, from Stockport Cheshire said: "It would have been a really special day whenever she arrived, but this was amazing. She's the best birthday gift ever. You can’t do better than that, and it really is a special day now.
"I have to say giving birth didn’t make it feel like a birthday at all. I only remember being really high on gas and air and shortly after midnight Mat said 'Happy Birthday'. I was like ‘oh is it our birthday?' It was such a far cry her being 15 days overdue. It's almost like she made a choice to come on our birthday."
Mat said: "It's magical. It's very special to share the date as a family. For someone with a terrible memory it makes it easy to remember two very important days of the year."
Simone, who works in property finance, met Mat when she signed up at the gym he owns in November 2016. Days after he contacted her on Messenger pointing out that they share their birthday, and after a few messages back and forth, were off on their first date.
The couple clicked instantly and were an official item within a couple of months. They've celebrated their joint special day with a trip away or a blow-out restaurant meal each year until this one, which they spent in hospital.
The couple didn't imagine their first baby would arrive on their birthday when they got the lovely surprise news that Simone was pregnant in spring, because Alma was due on November 3. They went into hospital for a routine monitoring check up at 4pm on the 17th, and accepted the midwife's offer to break the waters of their 14-day overdue babe.
After a 12-hour overnight labour Alma was in an awkward position, so doctors advised a c-section on the 18th. Alma was born weighing seven pounds four ounces as her dad turned 40 and her mum 29, and the couple were still opening cards a week later.
"Our house was flooded with good wishes", Simone said, "There wasn't a window sill or table top free of cards. It's odd all sharing a birthday because you're celebrating yourself, but also everyone else. But at least we'll never forget each others' birthdays.
"I wonder how we would manage if we had another one, and it came on a different day."
Mat's dad Frank had been rooting for the birth on the 18th and texted Simone to cross her legs when she went into hospital on November 17.
Her team of 14 colleagues ran a sweep-stake on the birth date and Keiran won £15 from his £1 bid. Simone explained she is especially looking forward to sharing her 50th with Alma's 21st.
