Happy birthday!

Think it's hard waiting 365 days for your birthday? Try 1,461, the length it would take if you were born on February 29, a date that only comes every four years.

Today, Agnes, a 71-year-old, is celebrating her 21st "real" birthday:

Clare Mackintosh, an author and proud mother, is rejoicing at her twin girls' "second" birthday:

While there were many well-wishes sent to such birthday kids on Twitter, a decent minority agreed: A Leap Year birthday is nothing less than a curse.

Women propose to men

Another February 29 tradition is that women are supposed to propose to men - at least according to Irish tradition.

Is the role reversal such a good thing, though? Some still saw conservative ideals at work:

Men online, however, seemed to wholeheartedly support it:

(Reminder: Per tradition, every rejected woman is to receive 12 pairs of gloves…)

Jump!

Leap day. Get it?

While few seemed to be in the mood to physically go outside and jump skyward, many were ready to click a few buttons to convey the good cheer.

Here's English Premier League club Manchester United joining the fun:

And one from the English Premier League's official Twitter account:

Here's the World Wildlife Federation:

And some very happy nuns:

Make the most of it

But February 29 really is a gift, isn't it? Like an extra shot of pocket money, it should be used in a way that's, well, special.

Here's a proposal from the National Union of Students in the UK on how to use it:

But most took a more personal approach:

Why not write about it?

Something about the extra day also brings out one's inner muse.

Whether posting by posting classic Leap Year postcards here…

…or through a poem:

Finally, here's an interesting theory: February 29 actually happens every year, but only those born on the day experience it - that's according to a recent writing prompt posted to Reddit.

The highest-voted story response begins, "Welcome, all, to the 109th Quadrennial Ninther Meeting."

The haters

Not everyone loves Leap Day, though.

Let's do it better next time

But most people are fond of the once-every-fourth-year phenomenon - and would like to improve and expand upon it.