Becoming 18

Proud Uncle enjoys birthday beer with niece. Nothing unusual here.

Except in this family we’re flexible with the date. Isabella is a leapling.. born on February 29th. One “real” birthday every four years. In the intervening years we bring it forward and celebrate on the 28th.

Which means, ahem, that the beer pictured for her 18th was enjoyed a day too soon to be strictly legal.

All nieces are special to their uncles. Isabella is no exception. But she is also rare. Roughly 1 in 1,461 people are born on February 29th – about five million worldwide.

For most years, shifting the celebration makes little difference. But becoming 18 isn’t like the rest. It’s a rite of passage. And in the UK the law is clear: for British leaplings, adulthood begins on March 1st in their 18th year.

So as of today Isabella can legally cast the vote, sign the contract, buy the beer, place the bet, watch the 18-rated film and, should she wish, marry.

Yesterday she needed permission.
Today she needs judgment.

Will she be buying the next round? Unlikely. I rather enjoy treating her.

But at least now, when she does, we’re within the law.