JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Families with Leap Day babies have to answer one major question: What day do we celebrate their birthday when it’s not Leap Year?
News4JAX viewer Kamila N. said her mom always felt guilty about her not having an actual birthday every year, so they celebrated on Feb. 28 and March 1.
“I’ve continued the tradition,” Kamila wrote. And Kamila’s not the only one who opts for a two-day celebration.
Alicia Rigdon, who will turn 36 -- or 9 -- this year, depending on how you’re counting, told News4JAX that she also celebrates on Feb. 28 and March 1 in non-Leap Years.
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“I often ask my mama why she couldn’t wait a few more hours. I guess that’s what makes me unique,” Rigdon wrote, adding there’s definitely a downside to having an unusual birthday. “I have been carded so many times and told my ID was fake.”
Kamila and Alicia were among several News4JAX viewers who shared their experiences of having special occasions tied to Leap Day -- from birthdays to anniversaries.
One unique family told us their triplets -- Clayton, Bentley and Grayson Ward -- were all born on Feb. 29, 2012, in Middleburg.
Biologically they turn 12 this year, but if you go by the calendar, they are a lot younger.
“Two... three in nine days,” the boys told us. “So since our birthday goes every four years. We (celebrate) on March 1.”
Their mom, Jessica Patton said she started going into labor early and didn’t realize they would be born on the unique day.
“The doctor said something (and) I was like, ‘Nooo!’ But I’m glad they were,” Patton said.
Not far from the Ward triplets, we found another Clay County “29ther” in Oakleaf. Tori Tan was born on the exact same date as the triplets.
“We knew we were having a baby on March 10. (And) I realize it’s Leap Year. Babies come early,” said Tori’s mom, Melissa Tan. “I wasn’t 100% thrilled about having a baby on Leap Day, but I don’t have a choice.”
This year the family is taking Tori to Disney World, which they do every time her actual birthday rolls around -- every four years.
News4JAX also heard from a lot of viewers with similar stories. Here are a few:
- Anniversary on the 29th. This year makes 20 years but only 5 anniversaries.
- My husband and I started dating in 2004 on February 29th. So we only get to celebrate that special occasion every 4 years. We were married in 2005, and have 2 kiddos.
- I was born on February 29th, 1960. I’ll be celebrating my Sweet 16th Leap Year Birthday this year 😍.
- I am a Leap Year baby! I always hear from new people I meet (that) I am the only one they ever knew with that birthday.
And it’s not just humans who have milestones on Leap Day. There are also our four-legged friends.
Mitch, a Corgi on the Southside, is turning 1 on the calendar this year but is technically 4 years old. He was born on Feb. 29, 2020, to the Omicevic family.
“He was sent like an angel to us,” said owner Maja Omicevic.
And Theresa Tearney told us both of her fur babies were born on Leap Day -- four years apart!
“My Prince and Jasmine will celebrate their 4th and 8th birthdays (this year),” Tearney wrote.
To all those with Leap Day birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions, we wish you joyful celebrations this Feb. 29!