Throwing a lavish birthday party for quadruplets can be a daunting task, but for the British parents of Reuben, Samuel, Zachary and Joshua Robbins, the task is made easier by the fact that they only have to celebrate their children’s birthdays once every four years.
This week marks the ‘third’ birthday of the first leap-year quadruplets in British history, born on February 29, 2012, six minutes apart. While they celebrate their birthdays on March 1 each year, every leap year allows for a much bigger celebration on the ‘real day.’
Emma Robbins, 43 and her husband Martin were stunned when they discovered they were expecting naturally conceived quadruplets while attempting to conceive what they believed would be their second child. Despite doctors advising her to abort two of the babies to save the others, Mrs Robbins chose to proceed with the pregnancy, stating in a 2013 interview with the Daily Mail, “I knew that every time I looked at my surviving babies, I would also be thinking about the ones I’d lost.”
Born prematurely via cesarean section two months ahead of schedule, Reuben was the first to arrive, followed by Zachary, Joshua and Samuel.
The boys currently reside in Chepstow, South Wales, with their 50-year-old father Martin, while Mrs. Robbins has returned to her native South Africa with their elder brother Luke. While Samuel bears a resemblance to Luke, the other three brothers share the same genetic makeup.
Martin shared that the boys were ‘super excited’ about starting Chepstow Secondary School this week, eager to integrate, make new friends and participate in groups and sports teams. He mentioned, “My boys are all starting scouts and are excited about the challenges, friends and social life ahead of them.”
With their unique leap year birthdays and their shared journey as quadruplets, Reuben, Samuel, Zachary and Joshua Robbins continue to capture the hearts and imaginations of people worldwide, their story a testament to resilience, love and the joy of family.
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