By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer 

When most people reflect on celebrating their third or even tenth birthdays, they don’t recall much. But come Feb. 29, Conor Lund and Jim Cray will remember theirs.

Conor, who is celebrating her third birthday, and Jim, his tenth, are turning 12 and 40, respectively, because they were born on Leap Day, Feb.  29.

To celebrate their actual birthdays, both said their families usually go all out and commemorate the special day, officially known as bissextile. Conor Lund: Conor
Lund will celebrate her
third birthday next
Friday, Feb. 29. She
and her family will
recognize the special
day by going on a
Disney-related
vacation, as they did a
few years ago. She is 12
years old.

“I like it,” Conor said. “It’s kind of unique, it doesn’t come once a year like everyone else’s birthday, but once every four years.”

The Lund family, including her mom, Teresa,  dad, Jerry, and her younger brother, Cade, often all go on a vacation during the Leap Years. The last time was a trip to Disney World and Epcot Center in Florida. This year, the family will again go on a Disney-related trip as they cruise around the Caribbean Sea on the Disney cruise ship.

“We try to do a major trip to recognize her birthday,” said Conor’s mom. “I know we’re all excited about the trip.”

Jim said his wife, Lisa, will often throw him a big party. The last Leap Year she had poster-sized photos of him when he was younger made for people to hold up as he walked in the door of a surprise party at his home.

But his favorite birthday was his sixth, when he was 24 years old and his friends took him bowling. They had bowling alley workers put up bumpers and everyone wore party hats for kids.

“When I actually have a birthday, those parties stick out in my mind, they’re so rare,” he said.

Jim said he sees some advantages to being born on Feb. 29. “It seems like people remember my birthday easier,” he said. “I also always know it’s an election year.”

Another aspect that is unique to leapers, as they are called, is they are often “younger” than their children or siblings who were born after them.

“My brother and I were in a fight and he said ‘But, I’m older than you,’” Conor said.

Jim’s son, Blake, who is 11, thinks they idea is fun. “On the night before my birthday, I told him it was just one more day until I’m older than he is,” Blake said. “It was pretty funny.”

Conor and Jim said they enjoy throwing people off when they introduce themselves and give out their leap age first, then explain themselves. “I was carded at the door recently and I joked around telling the bouncer I was only 9 years old and they shouldn’t let me in, but they did,” Jim said.

The two said during the off years it’s always interesting to see how their day will be noted.

Conor’s family always recognizes her birthday in February. Jim said he will celebrate when it’s most convenient for his family, including his 5-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, 22-year-old son, Brandon, as well as Blake and Lisa.  

While some milestones, such as turning 16 and 40 can be celebrated on their true birthday, that’s not always the case.

“I didn’t get to celebrate a golden birthday,” Jim said. He also said he will be 64 when he celebrates his 16th birthday and 84 on his 21st. “I guess its kinda fun.”

 Keighla Schmidt can be reached at kschmidt@swpub.com.