Leap Year Proposal
As usual I was looking forward to my special day 10
(40), (as we all do). My girlfriend was making it extra
special
by organizing a party with all my closest friends. What
I didn't know was she was making it more special than I
could imagine. All my friends knew but, for once in my
life I was left speechless when she presented me with my
specially made cake with the words "Will You Marry Me"
across the top. I said yes and will never forget the day
I reached double figures.
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Mom's Always Win
I am a leap year baby, born 1948. My father was born
March 1. Needless to say, as a child, the family
birthdays were always celebrated together. On the leap
year, I got my own cake and my own day. I
always wanted to celebrate on Feb 28 if there was no 29.
Mom always insisted that she was still PG
on the 28 - so March 1st was the day. At age 68, my
mother became ill and passed away on Feb 28.
Therefore, bitter sweet, mom won the argument. March 1st
unless it is a leap year. I love this story. It
makes me smile, mom's always win.
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Cops and Carnivals
I am a leap year boy and I have had more than one
officer of the law try and arrest me because they
thought I had
the best fake I.D. they had ever seen. Since your
license expires on your birthday, and most of the time
they just
roll it to the next day March 1st, they tell me how I
messed up there on my I.D. ... I have had to have a
supervising
officer come out or have them call and verify what I am
saying is real... and when they ask my age I always give
them my true age, 7 3/4, and they threaten to arrest me
for lying to an officer. One of the best benefits is the
carnivals,
were they guess your age, weight, or height within 3
high or low... always win those... when I tell them my
age, and
then show my license, most never get mad cause most have
never met or been tricked that way before. Wife has all
kinds of stuffed toys.
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Check Approval
A very long time ago when
they used to have to dial a company at the store to
approve your check, I was told my check
could not be accepted because when they typed in my
birth date the computer at the other end refused to take
2/29 as
a birth date. Thank goodness for our technologically
advanced society and PIN numbers!
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Security Risk
We were on a Cruise in the Baltic Sea when September 11,
2001 happened. All flights had been cancelled to get
back
to the states. When it was time for us to return home,
of course, the airports were a mess. Security was at
high alert
and the lines were incredibly long. To make matters
worse, Gary shows up with a February 29th birth date and
for some
unknown reason, the computers in Europe would not
recognize this date. He was considered a security risk.
They could
not get a boarding pass printed for him so they had to
manually write one up. It was very stressful and we were
afraid we
were going to be stranded even longer. After a couple
hours it all worked out and he was able to board the
plane.
Such is the life of a leaper!
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Dear Leap Year Person
In about 1977 the state of Oregon changed their issuance
of drivers’ licenses. They went from a two year renewal
without
a picture to a four year renewal with a picture, and
that expired on your birthday. My current license
expired in 1978, but
since it wasn’t a leap year, they couldn’t make my new
four year license renewable on my birthday.
I got an official letter from the state of Oregon: “Dear
Leap Year Person…” They explained that due to
their new policy, I
would need to renew my license in the old style, and at
the old price, for two more years, then when my birthday
rolled
around in 1980, I would be able to get one of the new
licenses which would expire on my next birthday, just
like everyone
else. So from 1978 to 1980 the only drivers in the
state of Oregon without state issued photo ID were Leap
Day birthday
people.
I’m sorry I didn’t keep the letter. It was
cleverly written in “legalese” with enough
tongue-in-cheek to make it fun. Clearly
someone at the capitol enjoyed drafting that letter.
Dan Morgan #5040 02/29/60
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Learners Permit to drive
a car
When I turned 16 we lived in a small country town and it
was possible for me to sit for my Learner's Permit to
drive a car.
I arrived at the Police Station to sit my test (very
nervous) and the Police Officer proceeded to fill out
the necessary forms,
asking me my name, address, d.o.b etc. When I told him
my date of birth, he stopped and thought for a moment
then
said, "I'm sorry but you are too young, you'll have to
come back in the year 2016". Being used to all the
practical jokes
every 4 years played by my mother I looked him in the
eyes and said to him "my mother has rung you hasn't
she?".
He couldn't keep a straight face and confessed. I passed
my test too!!
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Born
on the same day, but different dates.
When I was growing up, My Mom always wanted me to
celebrate the non leap year birthdays on March 1st,
since that was the day after the 28th. I always insisted
on February 28th because I was born on the last day of
February. Well, whom would have guessed it, my daughter
was born on March 1st, not in a leap year. So now I
celebrate on March 1st with her. We have a standing
riddle for folks when we get into birthday
conversations. We were born on the same day, but
different dates. When are our birthdays? We tell them
the dates, and explain we were both born the day after
February 28th.
Dee Bonuccell 1956
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Can you guess the answer to the riddle? Hmmm
Evelyn Gilmar of British Columbia, Canada, born 1936
Some years ago I was a bus driver on a charter trip
when a couple of my passengers gave me a riddle.
They had been married for 40 years but had only had 10
anniversaries - why?
They were surprised when I gave the right answer, that
they were married on February 29, 1936.
I knew the answer because I was celebrating my 10th
birthday that year.
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Twins!
But one is NOT a Leap Day Baby! Helene and Elaine
born 1960
Helene and Elaine are twins.
One is a Leap Day Baby, and the other is not.
Helene was born February 29, 1960 at 11:56 P.M.
Elaine
was born 6 minutes later on March 1, 1960 at 12:02 A.M.
Back
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Coming of
Age
-
Gloria
in California, USA, born 1968
My
dad has always promised that he'll buy me a car on my 16th
birthday...even if he has to leave it in his will! :)
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Child's Rate for Haircut
- Vaughn
Enevoldsen of Ontario, Canada, born 1952
On my 10th birthday my barber charged me the child's rate for
cutting my hair.
Back
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Finally,
I get a key to the house!
- Elsie in
British Columbia, Canada born 1916
Finally hit 21 in the year 2000. Now legal to drive,
drink and stay out all night. As per English
tradition,
presented the key to the house.
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Meeting
an 1896 Leapy -
"Gus" in
California, USA, born 1916
While delivering newspapers on my route in Jamestown
N.Y., back in 1929, I by chance met one of my
customers who
was born on February 29, 1896. She told me that she was eight years old before
she celebrated
her first birthday.
(Raenell's note: She didn't have a
birthday in 1900 because 1900 was not a Leap Year,
that's why she had to wait
until 1904, which was 8 years after she was born! Now
that's a long wait!)
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Beat
the draft!
Arthur of Florida, USA born 1924
I could have beat the draft in 1942 because I had only
4 birthdays, and the draft said that you had to
register on your 18th birthday. But I know how the
Government works, they would be knocking at my door in
1996 saying "we want you now!"
So I
enlisted.
Back
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Hopping?
- Emily Hopper of
Florida, USA born 1988
I'm a Hopper born on Leap Day. My dad was a Hopper born
on Easter!
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Mike
Doversberger of Indiana, USA born 1984
Keep in mind, you are not 4 "years" old,
you have just only had 4 birthdays.
Back
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Rhonda
E. Rice of Virginia, USA born 1960
This is great, I've met only 2 Leap Day babies before
but now I have the chance to meet many more. LEAPERS
UNITE!!!
(Raenell's note: Leap On!)
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Craig
LaFollette of
Oregon, USA born 1960
Not only was I born on February 29th in 1960, but I
have a baby brother born on March 1, 1962 so he stole
my birthday
the other three years!
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Julee
Cloutier of
Mississippi, USA born 1984
I like my birthday. I think it's really interesting.
It just took me awhile to actually understand it all.
(Raenell's
note:
You are NOT alone!) Back
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Egon
Overgaard of Iowa,
USA
born 1944
A few years ago I had been working with a fellow who
every once in a while would say he had a Leap
Year birthday. I was
a Leaper so I assumed that he had
seen my personal file and was giving me a hard time
about it. We went back and forth about it off and on
for quite a while. Then one day we were sitting in a
restaurant about 300 miles from home and he started in
again, this time saying his friend who ran the
restaurant was born February 29th also. This was too
much for me and I pulled out my drivers license and
showed him my birthday. Then both of them showed me
theirs. So there we were three Leapers having coffee
together, I have never forgotten it!
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Nice
to meet you too! - Jeremy
Cook of
Massachusetts, USA
born 1976
I don't know what to say! I'm just so thrilled to see
a website dedicated to me and my birth brothers and
sisters. Thank you Peter and Raenell. (You're welcome!)
Back
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Joanne
of Florida, USA born 1944
I can't believe I stumbled on this site! What a
wonderful world it is. So glad to see so many of us
special babies in the world...I use to think I was the
only one, until about 15 years ago, when I finally met
someone else that shared my special birthday. Only know
two others in my real world with our special day, so
running into you makes me feel so very, very special!
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Donna
Steenport of Wisconsin, USA born 1940
This sure is a special club just for all of us
"Leapies" ---- Thank you for taking the time
to set this up for all of us. We all sure are special
(-:
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Guess
My Age - Irene Merricks of
Queensland, Australia born
1920
I've always had a birthday celebration on February 28
and March 1 (especially if people forget !!) And I am
always able say to people that they are wrong when
they try to guess my age. Good fun isn't it.
Back
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No
Clue - Peyton Malcolm of Winnipeg, Canada born 2000
I get so many people saying...oh too bad your son was
born on February 29th. What are they
talking about? He is unique and special. Even more so
because he is a millennium baby too. I get so
frustrated with those people. I love my son so much!
Some people just have no clue!
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T.
Corcoran of
New Jersey, USA born 1960
When we party the world takes notice.
Back
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Kristina
Kuervers of
Saskatchewan, Canada
born 1984
Leap Day Babies rule. I mean how many people can say
that they had a 1 out of 1461 chance of being born on
that day. When you get to be 40, you have the privilege
of telling everyone that you are actually only 10.
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Miriam
Anderson of
South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK born 1984
From what I've read so far in the site, it appears
I'm a Februarian. I wouldn't be any other way! I'm
only 4 and a quarter but I've already heard every joke
in the book - will it always be like this?? :)
(Raenell's note: I'm afraid so Miriam! I'm glad you're
smiling about it!)
Back
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Leap Day
Story - Irena
Miko-Udir 1968 #1592 of
Slovenia
When I was a
child my parents did not know how to explain to me that my
birthday came only every four years. This changed when I
turned 8 I told every one that it is my second birthday - I
will always be young (I had just read Astrid Lindgren's
"Pippi Longstockings" and it seemed to me that it
is the best thing to being young forever)!
Today (LY2000) I am 8
(again), and yesterday my daughter turned 8. When I was
pregnant with her my doctor told me she'd be born March 1st,
the day after my birthday, so I started thinking about
having my baby on my birthday. My
mother prepared a
little party for my birthday on the 28th, because, she said
"Tomorrow you will not have a time to celebrate, you
will go to the hospital, so we have to celebrate now!"
She told me that around 17.00, at 21.35 my little daughter Blazka was born. At that moment I was a little sad that she
could not wait for a few hours, but today I think
that is
better this way, because she is special anyway. Back
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Bill’s
Bar Mitzva - Bill
Callis 1928 # 4
In 1980 I was operating two businesses at the same time in
a local strip (shopping) center—one was a Radio Shack
franchise, and the other was an American Handicraft
franchise. As part of my leasing agreement for the craft
store, I leased back office space to the shopping center
manager for her convenience. As you might expect, I became
quite friendly with the person who was filling that
position. Since she had a private office, I would sometimes
take my lunch break and sit in her office where I could get
away from the business world for a few minutes.
One day, near my birthday I was eating my lunch while
sitting at her desk and I noted an entry on her desk
calendar on the 29th of February that said "pick up
cake". I thought to myself, "Isn’t that nice of
the shopping center folks to want to recognize my
birthday". On the 29th I paid particular attention to
my dress and grooming so that I would be ready for my
"surprise" birthday party at the shopping center.
I assumed that all the managers of other businesses in the
center would come by some time in the afternoon and
"surprise" me. Well, you can imagine my
disappointment when nothing happened. The day came and went
without a word about my birthday. I had gotten all spiffied
up for naught.
That evening, my wife had planned a small dinner party
with some close personal acquaintances, so I left work early
to be home and ready for that event. I was really looking
forward to a nice evening with good friends.
Unknown to me, there was a real surprise party planned. We
have a large two-story house, with a mother-in-law apartment
in the downstairs. You can get to it from the outside and
while we were eating, friends and family were gathering in
the downstairs apartment, and just as we were getting ready
to cut the cake (which was what the note on the calendar was
about) and have some champagne, they all came streaming up
the stairs yelling "Surprise". It was great. Some
of the people who were in attendance didn’t realize that
this was my 13th birthday—one of them was a Jewish man who
jokingly called it my Bar Mitzvah, and that stuck for the
evening. I have to say this was the most enjoyable birthday
party of all time.
Back
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Save the Best for Last
- Marika Holbrook
- 1972 # 719
This is the best website ever. I was born in Flint,
Michigan and I am the 2nd child, the last child, the special
child. My sister is born the 1st of February and I am the
last. But, they say the best is always saved for the last. I
celebrate my birthday the 28th and the 1st. I have always
felt so special to have this extra day as a birthday. I met
my first Leap Year Buddy in the 7th grade. We were all
talking about when each others birthday was and the girl
sitting next to me Tomika Johnson said my birth date. I know
you could only imagine the excitement after I had to make
sure she was telling the truth. Back
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Claim to Fame
- Gus Gustafson 1916 # 267
My wife celebrated her 80th birthday last November. Since
then I have been pointing her out to others saying:
"Do yo
see that little gray haired old lady over
there? She has a particular liking for young men. We both
cherish each other
even though she has had 60 more birthdays
than I have had. We were married before my 6th birthday
& have been
married for almost 59 years."
One of my claims to fame is that I weighed over 200 lbs on
my 5th birthday. I was in college playing football.
Another claim to fame is that I had preached over 5000
sermons before my 16th birthday shortly thereafter I retired
as
a United Methodist minister. Back
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Two Cakes! - Joel
Tillman 1960 # 210
In 1966 I was going to
celebrate my 6th (non Leap Year) birthday. My sisters
(both older) took me to the calendar which was hung on
the inside of a broom closet in our utility room at
home. They pointed out that there wasn't a 29 in
February and that I didn't have a birthday. Well! I was
horrified needless to say, so I ran screaming to my
mother. She and I chatted awhile and much to my sisters'
dismay, I got cakes on February 28 AND March 1!!!
Presents on both days too!! I now only celebrate on the
28th of February just to "keep it in February". My
sisters and I still laugh about this silly little story.
Back
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You Don't
Get
A Birthday! - Raenell
Dawn 1960 # 39
When my second grade teacher was telling us about
Leap Year she asked if any of us knew anyone born on
that day. I rose my little hand and said "I was
born on that day." She said - "Oh you poor
child." Can you believe it?!? That's when the
teasing started, in that sing-song that kids do
"You don't get a birthday, you don't get a
birthday". So my mission to find
others born on my birthday turned into one of spreading Leap
Year Day
awareness to get the words "Leap Day" on
every
calendar every February 29th so people will remember
it's there and not freak out over it! Back
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Sweet Sixteen
Birthday Party - Fred A.
Lenczynski 1928 # 392
Our family reunion in 1992 turned out
as a surprise to me because my children turned it
into a "Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party"
because it was being held on February 29th that
year. My 64th birthday and my 16th Leap Birthday.
With 125 family members you can
imagine what kind of presents I got and the razing I
got. Such as 'sweet sixteen and never been kissed',
and how come you are younger than your children. My
kids call me their 'teenage father'.
Believe me I will never forget what a
great birthday they gave me that year. Back
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