CINCINNATI — Leap Day comes every four years, which allows the 12-month calendar to match up with Earth’s movements. Many of us just see it as an extra day added to the calendar, but for some, it’s a very unique birthday.
What You Need To Know
- Maggie McCune was born on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 2012
- Maggie is technically turning 3 this Leap Day
- Her mom remembers not wanting to have her baby on Leap Day, but Maggie had other plans
- Maggie is accepting the uniqueness of her birthday and says she feels special with her different birthday
Maggie McCune is your typical sixth-grade student — she’s played soccer from a young age and spends a lot of time shooting hoops.
But this young athlete is also celebrating a birthday, and it’s a unique one.
“Well, they wouldn’t even get it right!" McCune said. "Kids at my school would be like, 'How old are you turning one?' And I’m like, 'No, I’m actually turning 3!'”
That’s because Maggie is a Leap Year baby, born on Feb. 29, 2012. Something she’s had to explain to a lot of people.
“I’m the only one in my school with this birthday and so they don’t really know how it works or how it comes every four years," she said.
Her parents remember that day vividly.
“Actually, I was going to be scheduled to be induced, and they said what day and I said, ‘Any day but Leap Day!’” Nicole McCune, Maggie’s mom, said. “And then on Leap Day my water broke, so Maggie wanted to come that day!”
Now, this year, Maggie’s moving on from the terrible twos to a whole three.
“I would say usually two-and-three-quarters now,” Maggie said. “I never say like I’m 11.”
She said despite kids not always knowing how her birthday works, when it actually comes around, it’s the best feeling.
“It’s kind of like on Christmas when you get those butterflies in your stomach because when I go downstairs there’s usually balloons and donuts I get to eat,” she said. “Then when I get to school, they announce that it’s my birthday and all my friends are like, you have a birthday this year.”
“As she’s matured herself in general, she’s embraced the uniqueness of it,” Eric McCune, Maggie’s dad, said. “Again, I’ve always thought it fun and a cool thing to have because that’s something nobody else would have.”
While her birthdays have been memorable in the past, including their dog as a present, she’s looking forward to celebrating this year on her day.
“I get more excited and people are more happy for me since I get an actual birthday instead of like celebrating it on March 1st or the 28th," Maggie said.
And she’s embracing her uniqueness.
“I am glad," she said. "I feel like it’s more special.”