What Happens when Your Birthday Doesn't Come This Year?

You are applying for a job, loan, college, or any number of things and it's going well for the most part. Then the fun question comes, "What is your date of birth?" You say February 29th, then wait for the reaction that you've gotten your entire life. Pause, pause, pause, then a bit of laughter follows. "Wow, really? Doesn't that come around like every four years? So you're like what, six?" It's cute, especially if the person in front of you is cute and single. I love being a leap year baby! I can't deny that fact. I have rarely met someone who also shared my birthday. I think to date, I've only met one other leap year baby.

I have no intention on boring you with facts about why there is only 29 days in February. Who cares? I don't. It's not really important in the big scheme of things. I will tell you what I consider to be important details about my birthday, because it's the questions I am asked most often.

Q. What day do I celebrate my birthday when there is no February 29th?
A. It really depends on the year. When I was young and careless, I celebrated the whole month. I was always going out to clubs telling everyone that since I didn't have a birthday this year, I was celebrating it "tonight". I didn't have to pay for anything the entire month. It was great! Everyone was so excited to meet a real leap year baby that guys and girls would buy me drinks or let me in the club for free. Of course I had to show everyone my ID because it was virtually impossible to imagine anyone having this freakish birthday. As I became older I would celebrate it the last week of the month. Now that I'm almost um 10 (do the math), I celebrate it on the 28th of February.

Q. Has anyone ever accused you of having a fake ID?
A. No! But sometimes people will look at my ID and tell me that there is no 29 days in February. I would just smile and say, "Really, ok then when was I born?" They'll think about it and then ask me if I was born on leap year.

Q. So that makes you how old?
A. If you think about it, I am only 9 years old, therefore, I am really mature for my age.

There are also times that I have filled out online applications and it will NOT allow me to enter 29 February. I laughed in disbelief. I type in 28 February and it goes through successfully. Oh, another thing. A few people have asked me why don't I celebrate my birthday on March 1st. Well, I was not born in March. I was born on the last day in February so it would only be fitting that I celebrate in February.

My birthday has not gotten me out of any traffic, speeding, or parking tickets unfortunately but I will continue to try to tie that into my, "I'm so sorry, I was late, I'll never do it again, why yes my birthday is on leap year" routine. (Smiling)

I'm a Marine and if you know anything about Marine Corps traditions, we celebrate the Marine Corps birthday with a cake cutting ceremony. During this ceremony a piece of cake is given to the youngest and oldest Marine in attendance. For some strange reason, they won't allow me to be the youngest Marine, even though if we're counting legitimate birthdays, I've been the youngest every year for the last 19 years. Fortunately for me, I have yet to be the oldest Marine.

If you all have any more questions, please feel free to ask. I have a million stories but it's currently Friday, 26 February 2010 and some girl friends and I are going to Cafe Sevilla in downtown San Diego, California to celebrate my birthday!

Happy birthday to everyone out there who doesn't have an official birthday this year, don't worry, our time is coming!