ROYAL OAK, Mich. – A Metro Detroit newborn had a unique and public entrance into the world when her mother unexpectedly gave birth at an Oakland County restaurant.
Couple Alyse and Sean Sparkman had a reservation at Lilly’s Seafood in Royal Oak on Saturday, April 27. Their reservation quickly turned from two to three when the mom-to-be’s water broke.
“She took one bite and goes, ‘My water’s breaking! Go get the car!’” Sean said of Alyse.
Alyse Sparkman was going into labor in the middle of the restaurant. Thankfully, the right people were there at the right time: Two nurses and a phlebotomist, who used to do bloodwork for babies, happened to be sitting at the table next to the couple.
“I had a bunch of people who worked with babies around me,” Alyse Sparkman said.
At around 8 p.m. that night, Penelope Lilly Sparkman was born, weighing four pounds and eight ounces. Little Penelope’s life and the restaurant will always be intertwined, especially since “Lilly” is now part of her namesake.
The couple said people in the restaurant were cheering and clapping for their family.
“Thank you to everybody who helped; the nurses, obviously,” Sean Sparkman said. “One of the cops, he drove my car to the hospital for me so that we wouldn’t have to go back and get it, which was great.”
“It was just an outpouring of support; it was just so many people,” Alyse Sparkman added. “It’s amazing.”
The restaurant said it will be placing a plaque of Penelope’s name right at the table she was born at to commemorate her birthplace.
Watch Victor William’s full report in the video player up above.