They only come around every four years, and when they do they bring challenges — problems with computer programs, discussions while in line at the department of motor vehicles, and in this country of course, Presidential elections. But there is a special group of people that really look forward to each Feb. 29. It’s a small group — only about one in five million people — but that’s what makes it special. 

There are 187K Leapers in U.S.

They are affectionately known as “Leap Day Babies, “Leapers,” or “Leaplings,” in reference to the day they were born.

Babies can be born any day and Feb. 29 occurs only once every 1,461 days. So, the likelihood of a baby being born on leap day is quite low − roughly 1 in 1,461.

Beginnings

People have known that it takes just a little longer than 365 days to make a year, as the Earth goes around the sun. Ancient Egyptians added a day to their calendar every four years and Julius Caesar placed an extra day in February in the Roman version. The Gregorian calendar followed suit in 1582.

It is coincidence only that 1776 was a leap year, and so was 1788 when the first Presidential election was held. So, Presidential elections, which were picked to occur every four years, also happen on a leap year, most of the time.

It’s my birthday

Babies can be born any day and Feb. 29 occurs only once every 1,461 days. Currently, there are about 187,000 “Leapers” among this country’s population of 332 million.

And Barton County District Court Administrator Lundy Settle is one.

Lundy Settle

“So, yeah, Thursday is my birthday,” said Settle, who was born Feb. 29, 1984. “I’m still not old enough to drive. I’ll only be 10.”

Over time, there have been more than a few myths and legends that have developed concerning having a Leap Day birthday. Frog jokes and “you’re too young for this” jibes aside, Settle looks forward to each leap year.

“I can have a ‘real’ birthday,” she said. “For the three years in between, I’m feeling a little neglected.”

“I think the coolest thing about it is that it is something that people remember,” she said. “People other than my mom and my grade school teachers remember it. Childhood friends remember, people that I’ve gone to school with. They will message me and tell me that I have a ‘real’ birthday this year.”

For Settle’s family, the last week of February is crowded with celebrations. On Feb. 29, however, that’s all her own.

“My situation is also funny because I have an older brother who is a year and a day older than me,” Settle said. “His birthday is Feb. 28. He feels like maybe he got the short end of the stick because he had to share a lot of birthdays with me, whether he wanted to or not.”

Her parents’ wedding anniversary is also Feb. 28, along with her brother-inlaw’s birthday.

“So, there’s a lot going on during that time. But Feb. 29, that’s all mine.”

There was a brief time when her daughter was younger than she was; that changed in 2020, when they both turned 9.

“That was funny, when my daughter and I turned 9 the same year. That was fun, that we shared that year together,” she said.

Perks to the day

“The best thing is that you really get to celebrate big when your birthday comes around; you do it a little differently,” Settle noted.

“When I don’t have a birthday I tell people that I want it to last a week since I don’t have a ‘real’ one. That doesn’t usually fly, especially since I’ve gotten older. I still try for it, see how long I can stretch it.

“I really haven’t come across people that have ever had this, so it’s a neat thing. I guess I’m in an elite group, and it wasn’t even by my own choosing.”

Kirk Zecha

Kirk Zecha, Great Bend, was born Feb. 29, 1964. His job working for an oilfield company that transports drilling rigs has him on the road much of the time; he’s hopeful, however, that he’ll be able to celebrate his 15th ‘real birthday’ at home.

“I was in Hill City Tuesday and am in Garden City today (Wednesday), so I never really know where I’ll be dayto- day,” he said.

Zecha remembers being teased a lot about his birthday during childhood, and the time when his classmates were turning 16 and getting driver’s licenses, his mother told him “no, you’re too young,” he said. “She told me that I was only 4.”

The benefit to being a “29er” is that “you get to pick your birthday,” he said. “You can have it on the 28th or March 1st, or both if you want.

“It used to be a thing when I was younger, but now that I’m older, I’m used to living day-to-day. It is kind of nice to have something to look forward to,” he said.