Special Beginnings Celebrates 15 Years and 1,500 Babies

in Arnold will celebrate its 15th anniversary on Friday with a host of events, friendly faces and cake.

This celebration is also made more special by Benjamin Linker, the son of Kaely and Christopher Linker, was born March 3 at the Arnold birth center and was caught by David Paad—the region's only male midwife.

Friday's festivities will include activities such as:

• An inflatable moon bounce room for kids
• T-shirts for children born at the birthing center
• Face and body painting
• And, of course, cake

Special Beginnings' owner Ann Sober said 15 years has been a long time in coming. They host a birthday celebration every year, but this is a milestone everyone is excited about, Sober said.

"We're going to have children coming to the party who were born here 15 years ago, all grown up," Sober said. "We may have to get a few larger sized T-shirts, now that I think of it."

The festivities will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday in Arnold. 

Editor D. Frank Smith's wife is a midwife at Special Beginnings Birth and Women's Center.