Celebrating a birthday that only comes around every four years
● Big day extra special for February 29 ‘leaplings’
‘I mean, who wouldn’t want to be part of the exclusive leap year club? It’s practically the secret society of birthdays’
They get to divide their age by four, and when their birthdays come around every cycle, the celebrations are massive.
Yesterday, Nelson Mandela Bay’s leap year babies got their party hats out and their dancing shoes on.
Reneé Botha may be in her 48th year of life, but having been born in a leap year — on February 29 — she boasts that she is only 12 years old.
And because her birth date only comes around every four years, the Cotswold woman said she had taken yesterday off in a bid to make it special.
“With the kids at school, my husband and I decided on a slow, quiet morning which started off with a nice breakfast, but this weekend we are planning a camping trip.
“I thought it would be a fantastic way to celebrate and make some awesome memories.
“I’m really looking forward to getting outdoors and having a good time,” she said.
“I feel grateful for another year of life and the opportunity to spend it doing the things I love.
“Birthdays are a reminder to appreciate the simple joys in life, and that’s exactly what I’m aiming for this year.”
Without leap years, the calendar would gradually fall out of sync with the seasons.
Leap years ensure that does not happen by adding an extra day — February 29 — every four years.
And so those born on this day must make the decision to celebrate their births on February 28 or March 1.
Eight-year-old Kelcee Goliath’s mother, Charmaine, said it was a very special day in their household.
“Kelcee doesn’t quite get the whole leap year thing yet.
“I joked with her that she’s only two, but she was quick to correct me,” Charmaine, of West End, said. She said Kelcee was obsessed with Paw Patrol, and so she had received plenty of themed teddies for her birthday.
“It warms my heart to see her so happy.
“She also did a little celebration at school and loved every moment of it.”
This was to be followed by cake, the blowing out of candles, and lots of laughter at home.
“It’s these moments that make everything worthwhile,” Charmaine said.
Jerome Bowers, 48, of Central, said being born on February 29 had its perks.
“It’s like having a VIP ticket to a party that only happens once every four years. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be part of the exclusive leap year club?
“It’s practically the secret society of birthdays,” he said, laughing.
“So, every non-leap year, I get to choose between celebrating turning a year older on February 28 or March 1, or sometimes I even do both, because why limit the festivities to just one day?”
He said yesterday’s celebration was all about enjoying the sweet things in life and not feeling guilty for it.
“I will be gathering the family and my two boys for a night of sweet indulgence,” he said.
“I’ve decided that age is just a number, and in my case, it’s really cool to be able to divide this number by four.
“I may be pushing 50, but my spirit is still young.”
Tossie Knoetze, of Algoa Park, said her children made sure her special day was not forgotten.
“They always tease me that I’m younger than them.
“I’ve been blessed with wonderful children — four boys and a daughter. They’re the light of my life. And now I’ve got three adorable grandkids adding to the joy.”
She said the only way she wanted to celebrate was with her children and grandchildren, and that she had baked tarts for the occasion.
“Call me old-fashioned, but there’s something special about homemade goodies.
“It brings back memories of when I used to bake with my grandmother.
“I wanted to share that warmth with my family.”