Ever wondered how someone can turn three and 12 simultaneously or gear up for a “Sweet-16” celebration while actually hitting 64?
The answer lies in one simple fact: they’re Leap Year babies — born on the elusive Feb. 29 that graces the calendar only once every four years.
Risa Murphy proudly identifies herself as a “leaper.” The leaper — Feb. 29 birthday boys and girls also refer to themselves as “leaplings” — Murphy is marking her “sweet 16th” birthday today.
She does have a youthful appearance. But, she confided, “Well, truth be told, I’m actually turning 64.”
Murphy eagerly recounted the bustling delivery room scene at a small hospital in Oshkosh, WI, on the auspicious Feb. 29 of her birth year.
“Seven newborns,” she said, “including me, entered the world that eventful night.”
When asked when she celebrates her birthday on non-leap years, she quickly smiled; “typically, I opt for the 28th. March 1st carries a different birthstone—and it’s amethyst all the way for me.”
She added, “I thought deciding when you want your birthday to be was cool. Now that my husband and I have moved to Fairfield Glade, every leap year birthday, my three sisters, who live in the upper Midwest, trek to Tennessee to celebrate with me.”
Murphy has a number of humorous anecdotes about leapling celebrations.
“We were celebrating my 12th, real birthday, and there were people we were just meeting,” she said. “My husband couldn’t resist quipping, ‘I bet I’m the only one here whose wife is going through menopause and puberty at the same time.’ Of course, that brought a laugh.”
She added, “My son also enjoys telling people he’s had more birthdays than his mother. It never fails to leave them flabbergasted.”
“One year,” Murphy adds, a group of us made a trip to Anthony, TX, hailed the leap year capital of the world. All sorts of events were held on the 29th. Leapers who’d come to enjoy the celebration were being interviewed by television broadcasters before a kickoff parade.
Murphy believes being a Leap Year baby has become part of her identity.
“I feel like an advocate and educator about leap years. People just don’t think about it. I mean, why would they? It’s made me feel special. Not only is Risa a rare name, but so is my date of birth.”
Also celebrating her once-in-four-years birthday in Fairfield Glade is Kaitlyn Hengesbach, granddaughter of Terry and Dan Guerrero. Although it’s her third birthday, Kaitlyn will be 12 when she blows out this year’s candles. She said it often leads to amusing confusion.
“It feels weird to only have a birthday every four years,” Kaitlyn said. “I always have to explain it to my friends.”
When she was in elementary school, Kaitlyn’s mom sent a book, Why My Birthday Is Not on the Calendar, with her to school. It helped explain leap year birthdays to her classmates.
As Kaitlyn’s birthday falls in February, she opts to keep her birthday in February, celebrating on Feb. 28 instead of March 1.
This year, her family, grandparents included, are embarking on a Leap Day cruise to mark the occasion.
“I’m excited about the cruise,” Kaitlyn says, “I hope I meet lots of other leaplings who share my birthday.”
Answering questions and explaining her birthday is something Kaitlyn is used to and has come to enjoy.
“I like that my birthday is rare. The chances of being born on Feb. 29 is one in 1,461, so that makes my birthday extra special,” she said.
Several websites contain information on Leap Year. There are lots of fun facts to learn.
Check out: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/leap-year.com or https://www.leapfrog.com/en-us/learning -path/articles/leap-year-fun-facts