Happy 8th Birthday, Andre

While I was living in London, shortly after completing college, I met the only individual I have ever known who celebrates a birthday on Leap Day! His name was Andre' and he was celebrating his 3rd birthday the year I met him. He was turning 12.

So, this leap year, he will be celebrating on his actual birthday for the 8th time - even though he is turning 32. At 12, Andre' was a spunky, clever, funny individual and I enjoyed spending time with him and his older sister, Catherine (they lived down the street from Sarah, whose family hosted me for Christmas that year). They kindly invited me, along with Sarah's family, for breakfast on Easter morning, my last morning in England for that wonderful extended visit.

Thinking of Andre' recently, also got me thinking about golden birthdays. I didn't know about golden birthdays in time to celebrate my golden birthday. When I headed over to Wikipedia to read their definition, I learned that the golden birthday is not known or celebrated everywhere.
It read:

"One's champagne birthday, also called a golden birthday, is the day when the age someone turns is the same as the day in the month he or she was born. It is also common for the birthday individual to have champagne, thus champagne birthday. For example, someone born on January 31st would celebrate his or her golden birthday when he or she turns 31. According to the Dictionary of American Regional English, this meaning is most prevalent in Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, although it is used elsewhere. "


Poor Andre'! He will never officially celebrate his "champagne birthday/golden birthday." He would have to turn 29 on the 29th. Impossible! On his 29th birthday, there was no 29th of February. By the time he celebrates his birthday for the 29th time on the actual date, he would be 116. He's a lawyer; he'll never make it to 116. And if he did, well then, he'll really be 116, won't he, and not 29!


Hope your day was special, Andre'!