Michele Huk becomes a teenager today.

“I am celebrating my 13th birthday, also known as 52,” said Huk, of Franklin Township.

Huk is a Leap Year baby, having been born on Feb. 29, 1972. The “extra” February day comes around once every four years.

“I never felt left-out, having a ‘fake’ birthday three out of four years,” she explained.

Growing up, Huk’s family tradition included sharing a birthday cake with her mother, who was born on Feb. 26.

“It became more of a joke being a leap year baby,” she explained. “Then as I started to become an adult, the joke included child labor laws and driving under age.”

Huk said celebrating her birthday on any day other than Feb. 29 doesn’t feel right.

That’s why, she said, she makes her leap day birthday feel really special.

“I prefer to spend my REAL birthday on a vacation - somewhere happy!,” she said. “This Leap Year, I am in Walt Disney World.”

In fact, she spent the last few leap years at Disney, which she calls “the most happiest place to be a kid.”

Huk noted that she is proud to be a Leap Year gal.

“Aging is a beautiful gift,” she said.

Savannah Schleicher’s daughter, Adah, is also a Leap Year baby.

“This year will be her first birthday despite being 4 years old this year,” said Schleicher, Lehighton.

When it is not a Leap Year, Adah’s family and friends celebrate her birthday on both Feb. 28 and March 1.

“(It is) Mostly out of confusion and not sure what day seems more suitable,” Schleicher said, “and if you don’t get a birthday day that year you get two days to celebrate!”

When Adah gets older, Schleicher believes she will select the day she wants to celebrate.

“This year we are having a ‘I love you four ever’ birthday party with hearts and cute frogs to give a nod to her being a leap year baby,” Schleicher said.