Leapling celebration
Dad gets to celebrate birthday after sharing daughter’s special day
For the first time in four years, Gavin Grey will be celebrating his correct birthday on today’s leap day.
Gavin was born on a leap day — February 29 — but he normally celebrates his birthday on the February 28, the same day as his daughter, Gabriel, who was born in 2011.
“When I was younger, I thought of it as a gift from God because I would stay young... But when I found myself getting old, I realised that was not exactly the case,” he said humorously. It’s estimated that worldwide, around five million people have a February 29 birthday. In Jamaica, the number of leap day babies being born have been falling drastically over the years. Data from the Registrar General’s Department indicate that 152 leaplings were born in 2000. By the year 2012 the number of leaplings born fell to 110.
The number of leap day babies further dropped to 92 in 2016 and 63 in 2020.
Many leaplings choose to celebrate their birthday on February 28 and March 1 on non-leap years, while others wait for a leap year to cut their cakes. Gavin said he has always had fun with his birthday.
“Technically speaking, I don’t know how old I am,” he joked.
“I’ve missed a couple of birthdays, but I’ll be 36 today,” he said.
Gavin’s perspective on birthdays is refreshingly philosophical. He believes that every day one gets to breathe is worth celebrating, diminishing the significance of annual milestones. However, his friends and family ensure his birthday is duly recognised, celebrating on both February 28 and March 1, and even on the rare occurrence of February 29.
His 12-year-old daughter finds joy in the fact that they were technically born on the same day.
Despite Gavin teasing her about not receiving a gift this year, Gabriel surprises him with a heartfelt letter expressing her appreciation and admiration for her father’s role in her life.
With pride evident in his voice, Gavin reads aloud from Gabriel’s letter, emphasising the bond they share and the impact of his presence in her life.
“Happy birthday to a well-educated, loving, and caring father. Words cannot express how much gratitude I have for you, but I know I was blessed to have you as a father,” Gabriel wrote.
“You are my best friend, my mentor, my protector and my role model. I want you to know I look up to you, and I hope I can make you and my mom, and Omar [stepfather] proud in the future, because at the end of the day, all three of you were a part of my life and helped me to achieve the many things I have now. Happy birthday, dad, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. And last but not least, don’t worry about that gift. It will be OK.”