The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
HAVING delivered her first child on January 1, Mrs Michelle Kapenzi’s second child’s birth was coupled with excitement that it coincided with a special and unique date.
She welcomed her second born, Davina on February 29, 2016.
Births on February 29, occurring once every four years, bring a unique significance to families as they welcome new members on this extraordinary date.
The joy and gratitude of having a precious addition to the family on this special date have been expressed by parents nationwide, deeming it a meaningful blessing.
Mrs Kapenzi said what was meant to be a routine check-up visit to her doctor saw her undergoing an emergency Caesarean section.
Her anticipated date of delivery was March 3, but fate dictated otherwise, and Davina was destined to have a leap year birthday.
“My due date was March 3, 2016, and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of my second child, however, fate had other plans. It was during a routine check-up that a doctor advised me that I should undergo an emergency caesarean section.
It was a swift decision, and the anticipation of what was to come, the unborn baby’s birthday overcame me,” she narrated.
As the surgical team worked diligently, her heart raced.
It was not her desire to have her baby born on a leap day — and as she reflects, pregnancy hormones did all the thinking for her.
Little Davina’s birthday will be etched in history forever.
“As my daughter emerged into the world, I held my breath, and only had one request — not February 29 for her birthday.
“Even when the doctor told me about the Caesarean section, I tried to negotiate to be operated the following day, which was March 1. They refused, arguing that it was an emergency,” she said.
Mrs Kapenzi wanted her daughter’s birthday to be distinct from the rare leap day and even envisioned celebrating milestones on a different date, away from the quirkiness of February 29.
Davina, now eight-years-old, or only two-years-old, if counting her real birthday years, embodies resilience and hope.
She defied the odds of arriving on a day that occurs only once every four years.
As her mother reflects on the twist of fate that brought them together, she laughed: “Life surprised us, and sometimes the most unexpected moments become our greatest blessings. I eventually welcomed the fact that my leap baby was special after my family convinced me that leap years are special years.
“Leap babies are even more special, and you cannot joke about someone whose real birthday only comes once in every four years.”
She is, however, used to celebrate Davina’s birthday on March 1.
“Now that I am used to it, the excitement which comes with giving birth on February 29 is real. It is like holding a secret treasure chest that opens only once in a blue moon,” she said.
Leap day mothers harbour delightful superstitions about their leapling children.
Leaplings are people born on leap day.
They believe leap births carry a sprinkle of luck that makes special human beings.
“Davina is very bright, surprisingly intelligent and I believe it comes with her being a leapling.
“Perhaps it is also the reason why she is also her teacher’s pet at school. She has fewer friends at home, but at school, she is the teacher’s pet, loved by every teacher and learner,” she said.
Davina’s infectious laughter fills their home.
She is glad that this year she celebrated her real birthday.
Yes, 2024 is a leap year!
And as Davina grows, she has a story to tell.
Hers is a tale of courage, love and magic of an extraordinary birthday.
“My classmates used to laugh at me thinking that I do not have a birthday. Luckily, this year, I celebrated it just like everyone else. It is unique in that comes once every four years. I was so happy that finally this year it came to pass,” she said.
For her special day, she received a beautiful scooter and some cupcakes as a birthday presents.
However, she wanted a big party to celebrate her birthday since the next turn will be 2028.
“We have made it a custom to celebrate Davina’s birthday on March 1, but certainly not February 28 because then she was still in my womb making decisive moves to escape on February 29.
“In our family, Davina’s birthday is not an ordinary affair. Since it graces the calendar once every four years, we make sure that March 1 celebrations are a big deal,” she said.
Davina belongs to an exclusive club of only five million worldwide leaplings, who in various cultures are considered special and extraordinary.
Their birthdates surpass the ordinary.
Mrs Kapenzi advised mothers expecting leap day babies and those who already have such babies to embrace it.
As the years unfold, her family will cherish each February 29, celebrating Davina’s birthday, reminding everyone that life’s greatest surprises arrive when least expected!
