NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa. — Angela and Alexander Troutman of Northumberland are not only mother and son, but they are also marking a big milestone together this week. They are both celebrating their 13th birthdays.
"I'm not 13 years old. It's my 13th birthday. I'm actually 52, and tomorrow is my son's 13th birthday on March 1," Angela explained.
Angela is a Leap Year baby. She was born on February 29, 1972. Leap years happen once every four years. We need them because the earth does not travel around the sun for a whole number of days. It takes about 365 days and six hours. If we did not use leap years, the seasons would shift earlier in the year.
"They say, 'Oh, it's just another day.' Well, to me, it's not just another day because I only get it once every four years. People who take it for granted shouldn't take it for granted," Angela said.
The two are having a joint birthday party this weekend to celebrate.
"It's like one of those things that really doesn't happen. It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that can happen, and I like it," Alexander said.
"He became taller than me over a year ago, and now not only will be taller than me, he claims he'll be older than me. I have to remind him he's not older than me. He will just soon have more birthdays than me," Angela said.
The mother and son realize if Alexander was born one year later, he might have been a Leap Day baby himself.