Leaplings dish about their birthdays

Feb. 29—Thursday is one of the most important days on the calendar.

Feb. 29, the once-every-four-years date, aligns the calendar with how long it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun, which is a little longer than 365 days. The concept of leap days and months has been around for a millennia.

Leap day only happens in years divisible by four. This was done on purpose in the year 1582, according to Britannica.

The day is even more special for those born on Feb. 29. This year allows leap day babies, sometimes called leaplings, to celebrate on their actual day.

Feb. 29 is the rarest birthday one can have.

About five million people share a leap day birthday. They include rapper Ja Rule; Mark Foster, lead singer for Foster the People; Superman (though it's a bit complicated); and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.

There are plenty of local folks among that group, too.

The Tribune caught up with a few to get their thoughts on their special day, growing up with a Feb. 29 birthday and what it was like to turn 21. Interviews were edited for brevity and clarity.

The Pacers did not respond to an interview request with Haliburton.

Chris Morris, 40, Tipton

On having a Leap Day birthday: As a child growing up with a birthday only one time every four years, your friends would always ask you what day we should tell you happy birthday. There would always be a few that would ask you if you even had a birthday this year.

How did you and how do you celebrate? Most years, mom and dad would take a few friends and I out for pizza and bowling. Sometimes, we would celebrate Feb. 28 or we would wait until March 1. The nearest weekend was usually the pick.

What was it like turning 21? I attended Vincennes University and like everyone, we wanted to go out to the bars to celebrate the big 21. Police officers carded you at the door at this establishment. Not a single one of them could figure out what day they should let me in. They made me wait in the hall outside of the hotel bar for one hour until midnight before I could go in.

My buddies just laughed. Shots were lined up on the bar when I walked in, and the place went crazy!

Cara Kellerman, 44, Tipton

On having a Leap Day birthday: I have always loved having a unique birthday! I never wished for a regular birthday.

How did you and how do you celebrate? I usually celebrate with close friends, maybe a dinner at St. Elmo's and once took a short trip to south Florida.

My parents did a fantastic job of celebrating my birthday. We kept my birthday in February (28th) during the off years and celebrated big on the 29th every fourth year. When I turned 16, my dad delivered a dozen roses to me at school (in his farming Carhartt attire).

What was it like turning 21? My 21st birthday is the reason I met my husband! I attended Purdue University and was out to celebrate with friends at the Neon Cactus. I got hung up at the door until the staff could verify my ID.

The guy who had to verify my ID is none other than my husband. Ha! I left Purdue with my BS and soon after, my Mrs. thanks to my birthday!

Matthew Arnold, 36, Kokomo

On having a Leap Day birthday: It's always fun to tell people, even when I have to explain how my birthday actually works. I've never wished to have a different birthday. My family has some interesting birthdays, such as my dad's, which is April Fool's Day.

How did you and how do you celebrate? On years I have an actual birthday, I normally celebrate it as whatever the leap year birthday number is. For instance, this year I will have a birthday party celebrating me turning 9.

As a kid, it was slightly annoying at times. Either people would forget my birthday all together on years I didn't have one, or I would have to explain how many birthdays I've actually had. You know, simple division can be hard.

I always celebrate my birthday Feb. 28 when there isn't a leap year.

What was it like turning 21? When I turned 21, Feb. 28 was a Saturday. I attempted to go out to celebrate, but bars wouldn't let me in since it was technically the day before my birthday. Ultimately, I had to wait to celebrate on Sunday, March 1, which was way less exciting.

Jessica Lane, 32, Galveston

On having a Leap Day birthday: I always have something unique to say about myself when doing class/team building introductions. I am glad I have a unique birthday that does not fall on a major holiday!

When I was younger, I wished I could have a birthday every year, but now I'm just so used to it that it doesn't really bother me. Honestly, it's kind of a fun little joke to use my leap year age.

My brother loved teasing me about being so young, even when I was 8-16 years old he would tell people I was a toddler, all fun and games, though.

I will say I'm not good at math, but I am really good at multiples of four!

How did you and how do you celebrate? This is the first year ever that I get to spend it with my two babies. We will be able to make if fun with them! When there isn't a Feb. 29, we usually celebrate Feb. 28.

My family was always so wonderful in making sure I felt special every year as a kid regardless of the day existing on the calendar. My second grade teacher made me feel extra special in class and had the whole school day leap-day themed. It was my first year after moving to Indiana from Nevada and just made me feel welcomed instead of just being the new kid.

What was it like turning 21? Oh goodness, my 21st birthday. I was so bummed! I actually could not officially go out until March 2.

Bars would not honor the license stating I would turn 21 on March 1, keep in mind this was over 10 years ago. Many people didn't know that leap year existed. I have had people tell me my license was fake. I had to wait until the BMV opened on Saturday to get the license change.

Kate Harrison, 20, Kokomo

On having a Leap Day birthday: Having a leap day birthday is an easy ice breaker when introducing yourself. Sometimes, in the years when the 29th doesn't occur, I wish I had a typical birthday. When Feb. 29 rolls around, it just makes the day more special.

I will joke with friends or strangers, and when they find out I am born on Feb. 29, they are like, "oh, so you're technically 4," and I always correct them to 4 and 3/4 .

When I was younger, I did not understand the concept of leap day, so I would always ask my mom when my birthday was and she would try to explain to me "in a couple years," but I didn't fully understand until late elementary school.

How did you and how do you celebrate? Usually when the 29th does roll around, I like to have a big celebration, but I've only had four of those. This year for my fifth, my college friends and I plan on celebrating for the entire weekend.

As a kid, I remember my parents trying to make my "real" birthdays as memorable as possible. But my parents still celebrated my birthdays on non-leap years just the same.

Christy Reynolds, 48, Kokomo

On having a Leap Day birthday: I love having a Leap Day birthday! It seems like other people find my day so special that there is extra attention given to me!

People always have lots of questions about my birthday, so it's a good get-to-know-you conversation piece.

I've never wished for a different birthday because of the actual date, but as a kid, I would have preferred a summer birthday.

I remember my friends teasing me just a little about being so much younger than them when we were kids. Now, I use my "youth" to tease them. They're almost 50, while I'm just turning 12!

How did you and how do you celebrate? My mom learned to decorate cakes and made my first real birthday cake when I turned 4.

I do not celebrate very differently whether or not it is a leap year. We've just always celebrated birthdays rather simply in my family — a meal of my choice and cake.

If it's a leap year, I love to celebrate on the actual day. If there's no 29th, we usually just do something on the nearest weekend.

What was it like turning 21? I'm not a drinker and have never been in a bar or liquor store. When my driver's license expires on a year that has no 29th, it actually expires on the 28th. I've renewed it late a time or two.

Grace Craig, 16, Kokomo

On having a Leap Day birthday: Fun fact about me: I was the only leap year baby of Howard County in 2008. In fact, I was in the newspaper when I was born for being the first baby.

My aunt and uncle are always getting me cards of my leap year age instead of how old I really am. So yes, I do wish I had a regular birthday.

It was always hard when I was a kid to explain to people when my birthday was. I actually had a teacher tell me one time that was not my birthday because there's no 29th in February, that year I was in her class

How did you and how do you celebrate? We get the whole family together and go out to eat. We have always celebrated my birthday on Feb. 28 on non-leap years.

Beth Horoho, 40, Amboy

On having a Leap Day birthday: (Mixed feelings) it wasn't like the others who got a birthday every year, but over time I accepted it.

How did you and how do you celebrate? We celebrate it like a normal birthday, but this year my family is throwing a big birthday party for me and my uncle (Horoho's uncle and grandma also have leap day birthdays).

(Celebrate on non-leap-day years) Feb. 28 and/or March 1 or when the clock is at midnight.

What was it like turning 21? When I turned 21, people would be very surprised, and the same at the liquor store, some would do a double take looking at my license.

Spencer Durham can be reached at 765-454-8598, by email at spencer.durham@kokomotribune.com or on Twitter at @Durham_KT.