By Chris Jones

My Aunt Verna was a leapling and a twin—talk about rarities. Leaplings are the name given to children born on February 29. If you’re staring down a February 28 or March 1 due date this year, you have a 1 in 1,461 chance of birthing one of these unicorns. The coolest thing was since her birthday occurred once every four years, she chose when to celebrate it during the off years—March 1 was her day. And I always wondered what it felt like to have no concrete birthday for three years at a time. (If born on leap day, I’d be in the neighborhood of 10- or 11-years old right now—and my wife might argue that I am regardless!).

Legend has it that children born on leap day have unusual talents and personalities that are topped off with optimism, childhood innocence and youthful zest.

But if you’re a Pisces, you’re probably already a little “special” in everyone’s book (don’t @ me, as we say in Facebook world!)

But if you are expecting this month, and have a due date close to leap day, let me know if you find yourself delivering a baby on February 29. I’d love your baby photos for the next issue. It will be another four years before we can show off leaplings within our pages again.

And since February is also Black History Month, I’ll close with a little bit of trivia connecting the two observances: Did you know that Hattie McDaniel, who became the first African American to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Mammy in Gone With the Wind, received her honor on February 29,1940? (I only know this because GWTW is my wife’s favorite film, and we watch it on the regular! Well, fiddle dee dee!)

Send photos of your 2020 leapling to [email protected].