Woman, 31, has only had seven birthdays in her lifetime - and she loves it
23.02.2024 - 12:14
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A woman born on February 29 said she feel "unique and special" due to only having seven birthdays in her lifetime so far.
Emily Smith, 31, is a 'leap baby' (a child born on February 29 during a leap year) and has therefore only seen her actual birthday come once every four years. The mum-of-two said that growing up was difficult because other kids would tease her due to not getting a birthday every year.
People are often left confused when she reveals she's just 'seven years old' but says it's a brilliant icebreaker. On the years she doesn't have an official birthday, she makes up for it by celebrating for two days on February 28 and March 1.
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She added that she "wouldn't change" her unique birhtday as it makes her feel "special". The sales assistant from Boardman, Ohio, US, said: "I was raised with birthdays being a pretty big deal in my family.
"In my teenage years, kids my age didn't really understand it and I would get teased because I didn't get a birthday every year. Now I'm an adult it's the most unique thing about me and has turned out to be really cool.
"On non leap years, I celebrate on the 28th and the 1st - I figured if I don't get my birthday I can pick both."
Emily - who has two daughters and two step-daughters - hasn't celebrated on her official birth date since 2020. On a leap year, she makes an extra special plan such as a trip away, and on every other year, she celebrates on the 28th and the 1st.
She said: "I tell people for two days that it's my birthday, so I can get two dinners in, and two days of celebrations."
She said there are some tricky parts to being a leap baby - such as not getting a 'free birthday drink' on coffee shop