Happy birthday to Leap Year babies |29 February 2024
Guillianne
‘Leap Year Babies’ will this year get a chance to commemorate their rare birthday on February 29 as it comes every four years.
Leap year is when there is an additional day added to the month of February which is usually 28 days long, in order to align the calender with Earth’s orbit. This means that this year, instead of 365 days, the calendar year is 366 days.
According to statistics, the odds of being born on February 29 are about one in 1,461, which equals to around five million people worldwide, making them part of an exclusive group referred to as leaplings.
Seychelles NATION spoke to two ladies who form part of this small, exclusive team namely Betina Mousbe and Guillianne Didon, who are both excited to be celebrating their birthday after a three-year pause.
Betina described the experience of being a leap year baby as “funny and bizarre”. “I always say I am under age,” she chuckled, adding “Funny the universe would do this to me”.
The mother of a nine-year-old son is also turning nine today, if we were to count the number of birthdays she has had. “Can you believe I am literally the same age as my son,” further laughed Betina, who said she is so looking forward to her birthday this year.
“I don’t usually plan anything as I don’t like to party but I’m waiting in anticipation this time around and has even ordered my cake. I am so looking forward for the big day,” shared Betina.
The young lady in her thirties said usually friends and acquaintances wish her happy birthday either on February 28 or March 1. “Some would say we cannot wish you on the 28 since you were not born yet so we’ll wait on March 1. It is very bizarre and I am so looking forward to this big day,” added Betina.
These sentiments are echoed by Guilliane who described herself as “The soon-to-be 10-year-old girl trapped in a 40-year-old body.”
“For three years I just go with the flow. Some people will wish me on February 28 while others will do it on March 1. But there is this little sadness because you know you were not born on those two days. So for this year, I am so excited for my birthday because you know it is rare,” she shared.
Guilliane said she is aware there is a small population of them and wish to one day meet up with the leap year babies in Seychelles. “It would have been fun for a bus to pick us all up and take us some place where we get to spend the day enjoying our birthday and getting to know each other,” she said.
“I don’t know any other leap year babies but I know there is a small population of us. I remember there was an old lady a while back but she passed away,” added Guilliane.
“I am so looking forward to my birthday and I am expecting a surprise from my husband, daughter, family and friends.”
Seychelles NATION wishes Betina and Guillianne and all the leap year babies in Seychelles a wonderful birthday and hope they have a worthy celebration with their loved ones.
The next leap year will be in 2028.
Patsy Canaya
