Leap Year Birthdays Both Cheering And Challenging

He’s almost five years old and ready to graduate from college.

He’s eight and working full time.

She’s 22 and getting her old age pension.

Child prodigies? Not exactly. They’re all people born on February 29th, a day that occurs only once every four years. When we originally asked for submissions on Leap Year babies, we weren’t quite sure of the response we’d get. After all, it seems like the pool would be relatively limited in the GTA.

But we were stunned to discover there are a lot of you out there, celebrating your official birthday on a day that only  occasionally comes around. Breakfast Television feted those who were born on this rarest of days on Friday’s show.

The truth is unless you’re in that birthday boat, it’s hard to imagine the rough seas it can cause. But it’s taught most to approach everything with a good sense of humour. “Being 11 again is pretty cool,” one BT celebrant relates. “I’m just worried that I may never get to 19, and be able to have my first drink.”

“I’m trying to get away every year with not getting my sticker at the MTO,” another jokes. “I try to tell them I don’t have a birthday for, you know, four years. But that doesn’t work with them.”  

It turns out, they’re not alone. The Honour Society of Leap Year Babies – yes, they actually have their own organization – estimates some 4 million people worldwide celebrate a birthday on the extra February day, 21,000 of them right here in Canada.

On Friday, the country welcomed at least one more. Little Jude Miller was delivered two weeks early at 5:21am at Toronto East General Hospital . He won’t officially celebrate his first birthday until the year 2012.

Still, from the response, it appears you consider yourselves not only special but blessed.

Although as some of you indicated, it’s often as much a challenge as a day to cheer.

So Happy Birthday to the “Leapers.” Here’s a random sampling of the ‘youngsters’ who wrote in. Some are only 4 or 5 in Leap Year-time. But all have some amazing and articulate stories to tell.

“I was born on February 29th, 1980. I am the first born of two (both daughters); my mother went into labour on her third wedding anniversary, February 27th.  Apparently I was a stubborn child, as I am as an adult, and decided I wanted to be special and therefore held off being born until February 29th.

“I do not think of it as a big deal until others make it one. It’s my date of birth, and whenever I fill in any form that requires a birth date the same comment must be made:  ‘You were born on a leap year?  How old are you REALLY?’  The answer to that is that I will be 28 years old on February 29, 2008.  I will have lived for 28 years and therefore that is my age.  However, technically it will be my 7th birthday. 

“That’s how I choose to answer the question now, and I can say that is how I will always answer it. I know for certain I will be hearing that question for the rest of my life …

“It also tends to get missed sometimes – the date does not exist and therefore that trigger does not go off in one’s mind.  For example, I don’t receive free phone calls every year on my birthday from my cell phone company. 

“Regardless of the complications of my birthday, your story is correct; in a small way it does make me stand out from the crowd.  I don’t think it’s a big deal and sometimes I do get annoyed  – however I also like the extra little bit of attention I receive due to it.” 
Anu Pooni

“My name is Erin Sproule, I am a 4-year-old student at Ryerson University studying Radio and Television Arts.  This Friday, I am going to be hitting the big 5 and I’m quite nervous for it indeed. It is just one of those milestone ages. 

“When you are born on February 29th, everything in life is a little different for you, right from the beginning.  First of all, you are technically 0 years old for the first 4 years of your life, which is basically like you don’t even exist at all. Then you hit the big 1. Oh, when I turned 1, what sweet memories I have of those four years. 

“When people talk about “the years passing so quickly,” I feel happy to know that mine will always pass a little bit more slowly then theirs.  Not to mention that when I turn 20, all the men and women around me will be complaining about their age and their mid-life crisis, when I will have the privilege of only going through a quarter-life crisis.

“To answer the question “what day do I celebrate on when it is not a leap year,” I must answer this with another question; “what day do I NOT celebrate on when it is not the leap year.”  In fact, I try to push my luck for at least a week every year.

“When it is not the leap year, my parents have always felt sorry for me because I don’t have an actual birthday and compensate with gifts and a prolonged “birth week” instead of an actual day.  Then when it actually is the leap year it is such a special event that they shower me with even more gifts and a grand celebration.  It’s just like they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”
Erin Sproule

“This year I am celebrating my 13th birthday and for the next 28 years I get to be a teenager all over again. I rub it in to my kids that I will now and forever be the youngest person in the house. It has been an adventure being born on February 29th and I have had some interesting celebrations, conversations and grilling around this day.

“Some people do not even realize that it comes only every 4 years. I can’t believe that anyone would think of removing it as they did a few years back. That is like saying we do not exist, I am sure that whoever came up with the idea did not think before they opened their mouth. Would they be so willing to give up their day?

“I was one of five babies born on February 29th in Brockville General Hospital in 1956 and when we celebrated our 4th birthday/sweet sixteen the local radio station in Brockville got us all together for the first time since our birth to celebrate that special day together. They took us up flying, gave us gifts from some of the local retailers and there was an article and picture in the local newspaper …

“Years when there is no 29th I usually get to celebrate for a week with friends each taking a different day. At home I like to keep my birthday in February so I celebrate it on the 28th when there is no 29th. This year my family is arriving from out of town celebrate on the 29th and on Saturday my husband has invited friends over.

“I truly am spoiled when it comes to my birthday, it is not often that you receive gifts from total strangers just for being born and it is has definitely provided fuel for conversation on many occasions. People have been coming by my desk all month now making comments about having a real birthday this year, how old are your going to be this year, etc.”
Alana Naida

“My name is Amanda Abbott and I am born on a leap year. I will be 7 years old this Friday. Of course when it is a leap year you have an excuse to celebrate any way you want. On every other non-leap year it is just a regular birthday. People often ask me which day I celebrate my birthday on when it is a non-leap year.  The answer is simple: whichever day between Feb 28 and March 1 is more convenient.  If guess in reality you could choose whichever day, Aug 15? since your birthday doesn’t exist.
 
“Basically being born on Feb 29th is pretty special. There are a few downsides though. One being when you enter your birthdate online you usually get an error. As well, cell phone service ‘free on your birthday’ – well, I miss out on 3 free days out of 4.”
Amanda Abbott

“My daughter, Carly, was born Feb. 29, 1988, so this week she will be celebrating her 5th birthday … Not only was she born 2/29, but she was born at 2:29 p.m.!  It didn’t even dawn on me until the next day she was a Leap Day baby!  She was born at Etobicoke General Hospital, where there were 10 babies born that day.

“When she turned 8, I explained why she was only 2 – it amused her very much, but her sister, Amy, 3 at the time, became very upset we kept saying Carly was celebrating her second birthday – after all, Carly was her BIG sister, and she couldn’t understand that!

“I wondered, though, about the legalities – would Carly have to wait until 64 years (16 x 4) after she was born before she could get her driver’s licence? (No, she didn’t.)

“Also, I found in registering her for different things, the computer programs did not recognize her birthdate – saying it was “invalid”.

“So, as you can see, there are some challenges with being born on the Leap Day!

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y,   C A R L Y !!!

Lots of love and best wishes,
Mom
(Wendy Dukelaw)

“My son Cole Upham (Port Carling Ont.) was born on a leap year (16) years ago. This Friday he will be celebrating his 4th actual birthday and will be able to go in for his G1 Driving Test.  Cole shares his birthday with a very good friend “Chris Davidson”, from Bala Ont.- they shared a hospital room in Bracebridge, Ont. when they were born, went to the same public school (Glen Orchard Public School) and now attend different high schools, but remain good friends. 

As Cole’s father was born on March 2, and I was born on Feb. 17, we generally celebrate his birthday on Feb. 28 to keep it in the same month.  I think my son is special, but I am probably biased.”
The Upham Family

“My mother and her twin sister were born Feb. 29, 1916 and both are here to celebrate in 2008.  Unfortunately they are unable to be together as my mother lives in a nursing home in Whitby, Ontario and her twin in Hartland, New Brunswick. 

“They both celebrate on Feb. 28th each year. As to how this day has affected them over the years, my mother doesn’t remember it ever being an issue. I do remember celebrating sweet 16 with my mom and my aunt (64th actual birthday) together with my niece who was actually 16, three days prior.  It would be interesting to know if they are the oldest surviving born on Feb. 29th in Canada. 92 in actual years … 23 in leap years.”

My mother is: Florence Buchanan. My Aunt: Gwendolyn Kennedy.”
Jean Lucchi

“My name is Leslie Bird and I am turning 11 years old on Feb. 29th! I celebrate my birthday every year on Feb. 28th. After all, I was born in Feb. I am the 5th of 6 kids and I am pretty far down on the Totem Pole and therefore got lost in the shuffle of a busy household growing up! …

“Every 4 years I go a little crazy and act like a BIG KID. I plan my birthday months in advance and tell everyone about my big day coming. After all there won’t be another one for another 4 years!  I turned 10 the same year my son did. How many people do you know who are the same age as their child?”
Leslie Bird

“Not many people can say they turn 6 twice. Well I can. This year, while I turn 24, I will also be turning 6 … again. I was born on February 29, 1984, and I am a proud Leap Year Baby!
 
“Being born on Leap Year is such a fun and interesting thing for me. I can barely keep track of all the questions that everyone asks me, especially this year since we FINALLY get a birthday. People are fascinated when they have no idea, which makes it even more fun for me to explain it to them. Little kids think it’s hilarious when I tell them I’m only 6. They love to imply that they are older then me. To this day, my younger brother makes jokes about it during any situation possible.
 
“When it comes to choosing a day to celebrate, I usually end up celebrating the closest weekend or both February 28 and March 1. I figure with such a unique birthday, I can take advantage of it! Ever since I can remember, all my birthday cakes have had my leap year age on them. When I turned 16, there were 4 candles and this year I turn 6 and my first cake (I get a few) had 6 candles!
 
“I met a fellow Leap Year baby at an art festival in Port Dover. He was a caricaturist, doing my portrait, so during small talk, I asked how old he was. At the time, he said was 27 but then later mentioned that he was 7 and 1/4. I responded with “No way, I’m 5 and 1/4.” We flipped out and everyone in line or passing by must have thought we were nuts with all the commotion we had made. To this day, he’s the only Leap Year Baby I’ve met and we’ve good been friends ever since. This year he turns 8!”
Amanda Wintemute
(Age 24…and 6!)

“I didn’t like being born on the 29th at first, it was confusing for an 8-year-old when people were wishing you Happy 2nd Birthday! Once I finally understood what was going on, I didn’t mind so much except when trying to explain to classmates why I only had a birthday every four years. They would just look at me like I had 4 eyes and then make fun of me for not having a birthday that year.

“My family has always celebrated my birthday on the 28th when the 29th wasn’t around. They said that since I was born in the month of February I should celebrate it in February … a day early is fine with me! But then my 19th birthday came around … I wasn’t officially 19 until March 1st … so my friends and I celebrated it on that night instead! So since my 19th birthday, my family continues to celebrate my birthday on the 28th and my friends celebrate it on the 1st! I LOVE having 2 birthdays when the 29th isn’t around!! I think I have the best birthday date ever!

“I’m turning 28 this year but I must say I feel more like a 7 year old. And I’m sure my family and friends would say I sure act like one!”
Laura Markovic

“My son Justin Andrew McDonald was born February 29th, 2000 at Women’s College Hospital. We were interviewed by a CityNews reporter when he was but a few hours old!
 
“Here’s his view: he loves being a leap baby … He thinks it’s funny that he’ll be able to drive when he’s 4. Most 4 year olds can’t touch the pedals.
 
“He celebrates on March 1st (of course!) because it’s the day after Feb 28th. When he was small we celebrated on Feb 28th so it was in the same month, so it was easier for him to understand.”
Sarah McDonald

“My son Julian Polidoro is celebrating his 8th birthday this year on Feb 29.  My due date was suppose to be April 4, 2000. As luck would have it he arrived on Feb 29, 2000, five weeks early weighing in at an even 7 lbs. 

“We are just thankful he is a healthy and vibrant boy.  We usually celebrate his birthday on March 1 and try to do something special on his “real” birthdays.
Marisa Polidoro

And finally another aspect to this story you don’t often think about: the Feb. 29th anniversary.

“I’m not born on the 29th, but my grandparents’ anniversary is Feb 29th, 1952.  In 1992 we had a 40th anniversary party for them, and it being a leap year too, the cake inscribed with “1952 -1992 … “10” “.  It was funny … Grampa always says that they celebrate their anniversary between the first and last stroke of twelve between Feb 28th and March 1st.  I know he’s joking, but it’s always a funny story.”
Victoria Ainsworth

“My wife and I got married on Feb 29th, 2004 – and we’re about to celebrate our first anniversary!  For the wedding, all my ‘guy’ friends heard the date and said, “Wow – that’s awesome” – while my ‘girl’ friends heard the date and said – “Wow – that’s horrible!”

Anyway, the plan backfired, because we have 5 anniversary dates: -Feb 29, Feb 28, March 1, Oscar night (because we got married on Oscar night). We also celebrate the date we got married according to the Jewish Calendar.”
Elan Weintraub