Matt Jackson and his friends tend to kill time in social studies class figuring out how old he’ll be when he has his double digit birthdays. For example, today is his fourth official birthday, but the Stelly’s secondary student turns 16.
Jackson is a leap year baby.
“It’s special,” he acknowledges. “My friends are used to it … [but] new friends are still surprised.”
With the extra day this year, Jackson won’t wait for March 1, when he usually celebrates.
“The 28th is just too early. The first is more like the 29th,” he explained.
There are no huge plans for a celebration today, except soccer practice or maybe hanging with his family.
“I’m down for anything. I’ll probably hang out with some of my closer friends,” he said. “It’s not really a big deal anymore.”
Unless of course he can convince his parents to allow him to take up a WestJet leap day offer: Turns out the airline turns 16 this year, too, and is offering those born on Feb. 29 of any year a $16 one-way flight today. The Peninsula teen is eying up some warm weather.