'Makes me feel special': Leap Day means true birthday festivities for people born on Feb. 29

Celebrating Heather Willey’s birthday is a rarity. She was born on Feb. 29 — Leap Day.

The last Leap Year fell in 2020. Willey celebrated her birthday at a Penguins game. Then the covid-19 pandemic struck.

“I’m a little worried to see what will happen this year,” Willey said.

Being a Leap Day baby can have its drawbacks. When Willey was set to turn 21, she had to wait for March 1 instead of Feb. 28.

“I thought I was getting ripped off,” Willey said. “We still found a way to get around it.”

Willey technically turned 44 on Thursday. But it’s only her 11th Leap Year birthday.

“Truth be told, I really don’t celebrate my birthday the rest of the time,” the Murrysville resident said.

Willey said she’s used to not having a true annual birthday. When it rolls around, “it’s not really a big deal.”

Besides work, this year, she said she’s planning to have “a beer or three” and just enjoy the day.

This weekend, Willey said she hopes to go for a run. She moved back to the Pittsburgh region in the fall and is training for the Pittsburgh Marathon in May.

During other off years, she said she usually receives half of her birthday calls from family on Feb. 28 and half on March 1.

“Even this year, I got a ton of calls yesterday because that’s probably how they have me in their calendar,” Willey said.

For Lucy Yurga’s 3rd Leap Day birthday, she plans on having a bowling party this coming weekend.

Lucy just turned 12. She also planned to go bowling on Thursday.

“I really like bowling,” said Lucy, who lives in New Kensington.

Lucy typically celebrates her birthday on both Feb. 28 and March 1 on off years.

Though she said she likes having her birthday on Feb. 29, it can be hard not to have one every year like the majority of other people.

“I like having a unique birthday, but sometimes it gets a little bit sad because I don’t get a birthday every year,” Lucy said. “But, that just makes Leap Years even better.”

Carri Watson turned 48 on Thursday and is celebrating her 12th Leap Year birthday. However, she’s not able to celebrate this year like she once was.

She was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, which restricts her physically.

“Because of that, I’m not doing anything today,” said Watson, who lives in Monroeville.

The disease has left Watson mostly homebound.

However, she said she feels blessed this year. People have dropped off flowers and goodies for her birthday at her home.

“The sun is shining,” she said, “so that’s nice.”

Growing up, Watson recalled being teased for having a birthday on Leap Day. People would joke on the off years that she didn’t get a birthday that year.

Despite the comments, she typically celebrates on both Feb. 28 and March 1, she said.

“You get so much emphasis when it actually is your birthday,” Watson said. “It makes me feel special.”