Forever young: local ‘leaplings’ share perks & challenges of February 29th b-days

Celebrating a leap day birthday: why it's worth the 1461 day wait

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – On average, everyone shares their birthday with around 21 million people across the planet — unless, of course, you’re born on a Leap Day.

It’s estimated that worldwide around 5 million people dubbed leap lings get to be a part of this exclusive birthday club.

Bowling Green native Elizabeth Howard, who is celebrating both her 27th and sixth birthdays, said, “My little brother asked me today, ‘How actually old are you?’ And [when I told him I was six] he was like, ‘Okay, little sister.’ even though he’s three years younger than me, so I’m special in that way, I guess.

Howard had an extra special Leap Day birthday.

“Whenever I was born, I was the first baby born that day, so I got to be in the newspaper. So, that was pretty cool, too.”

Now, sometimes having a birthday, only 0.07% of the United States shares with you can bring forth some mixed feelings.

Cave City native Wendy Walker, who is celebrating both her 39th and ninth birthdays, pointed out the paradox, “It’s my birthday, but it’s not my birthday. So, when people are asking me, like, so do I tell you on the 28th or on [March] first, I’m like, ‘You can tell me in June or July, cause it’s still not my birthday!’”

Young Bowling Green native Aaron Richey said, “I’m 11. But here I’m two and three-quarters.”

Sharing a birthday that only comes once every 1461 days means someone like Aaron has only ever had two official February 29th birthdays.

Aaron’s mom, Elizabeth Nichole Richey said, “I always pull the card ‘Forever-young!’”

Glasgow’s Jenna Gardner, who is five years old going on 23, has heard similar sentiments over the years.

“They always tell me I’m going to stay young forever!”

Howard, Walker, Richey and Gardner seem to concur that non-leap year birthday, celebrations are open to flexibility….

“I usually celebrate the 28th and the first,” said Gardner. “If I can’t get by with it, I’ll celebrate the whole month!”

…But when February 29th rolls around, that’s a whole different story!

Walker said firmly, “That’s my birthday. And everybody’s going to know it’s my birthday because you have to wait so long. It’s not fair!”