Four years older in a single leap

Celebrating their leap year birthdays today  are Jean Young (left) and Beth Williams, of Dunedin.
Celebrating their leap year birthdays today are Jean Young (left) and Beth Williams, of Dunedin.
Holding a photo of  their wedding on February 29, 2000, are Tania and Tony Wilson, of Dunedin....
Holding a photo of their wedding on February 29, 2000, are Tania and Tony Wilson, of Dunedin. Photos by Peter McIntosh.

Not many grandparents get to celebrate their 17th birthday the same year as their grandchildren, but Jean Young is a special lady.

After 68 years, the East Taieri resident is finally able to celebrate her 17th birthday today, a leap day.

Her granddaughter, who lives in Nelson, will turn 17 later this year and "wants a bit of a knees-up with nana", she said.

In the meantime, Ms Young has been marking her birthday with friend and fellow "leapling" Beth Williams.

Mrs Williams turned 16 today and the pair threw a party at the Taieri Bowling Club, where they both play, last night.

"We are just along the road from each other and we've never known someone, personally, with the same birthday," Ms Young said.

While Mrs Williams usually marked her birthday on February 28, Ms Young only observed her actual birthday.

"When I was 13, I had a teenage rage. I have some good parties.

"I'm going to have a wheelchair derby for my 21st, because I'll be 84," she said.

Also celebrating a special day today are Tony and Tania Wilson, of Dunedin, who married on February 29, 2000.

"I planned it. That way we only have an anniversary every four years," he said.

Mrs Wilson did not catch on to his strategy for a couple of hours after they had set the date, but said it was "not too bad" only celebrating their nuptials every four years.

"We married in 2000 and this year is only our third anniversary. It works out cheaper. Put it this way, we are never going to make silver or diamond," Mr Wilson said.

 


February 29

• Leap years occur nearly every four years. Leap years are evenly divisible by four; if the year can be evenly divided by 100, it is not a leap year, except if it is also evenly divisible by 400.
• Leap years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with Earth's revolutions around the sun.
• Leap years have traditionally been a time for women to propose marriage.


ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement