Inverness woman celebrates teenage birthday this leap year despite being in her fifties
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Ann-Marie Gray (56), from Inverness plans to celebrate turning both 14 and 56 years of age this leap year.
While Ann only has one official birthday once every four years, she has never felt left out from her peers, but rather 'quite lucky for having a unique birthday'.
Growing up, Ann celebrated her birthday on February 28 after her late mother made it a tradition.
She said: " I did still celebrate my birthday as a child and through my teens.
"Every leap year I always got two cards from my mum, one with my leap year age and one with 'daughter' on it.
"I don't remember any extra special celebrations, just regular birthdays at home."
She added: "I don't do anything overly special, I just love spending it with my family, and my hubby always gets a cake with my leap age on it."
Ann feels privileged to have a leap year birthday as she said: "It is special for me as people tend to enjoy it with me and I've been remembered by many people because of its uniqueness."
However, she said the disadvantages are 'ageing as normal with wrinkles and grey hairs'.
The primary school cook has always enjoyed how intrigued the children get when it comes her leap year birthday.
She said: "The kids in one class have been learning about leap years and were curious to hear that someone they knew had a February 29 birthday.
"I've had lots of lovely little comments from them, including today one little girl said to me "guess what, it's your birthday!" It was so sweet.
"My primary school teacher from P3 tagged me in a post on Facebook not long ago regarding my birthday and it's these little things that make it special. "Every four years people remember me and that's lovely."
Ann is already anticipating her next leap year birthday when she turns 60.
She said: "I have my 60th next leap year and god willing I get to 84 to have a second 21st birthday. I like the fun side of it."
This year Ann plans to relax at home with her family and 'enjoy the smaller things in life'.
She said: "It will be a quiet night at home with my husband as we are both working but, my son, daughter in law and my 3-year-old granddaughter are dropping by on Saturday so we will have a nice meal and some fizz.
"As you get older it is the simple things that feel special.
"For this birthday I'll be 14 but, I'll go back to my 50's soon enough."
