Posted 11:24 pm Wednesday, December 12, 2012
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East Texans celebrate birthdays on rare date
Kagan Bosley got a special early birthday surprise.
With a smile on his face, he received an iPod touch on Tuesday from his parents. It was exactly what he wanted, and it came a day before his actual birthday. Kagan, a sixth-grader at All Saints Episcopal School, turns 12 today. He was born at 1:35 a.m. at East Texas Medical Center during an ice storm. Five children were born that day at ETMC, according to hospital records.
"It was really neat to have him on (Dec. 12). I always thought that was cool alone, so 12 years later to have it all culminate on (Dec. 12, 2012) is really unique," said Kathy Bosley, Kagan's mother.
That unique date is apparent throughout Kagan's birthday plans. He invited 12 friends to his party and listed 12 activities they will do, including an air soft gun war, games such as football and soccer, hot chocolate and a bonfire.
Kagan joins others who are celebrating today. W. Max Threet and Sheila Strait Taylor will get married at noon at a Tyler home; Tyler resident Larry Pruet turns 60; Annalee Cook, a sixth-grader at Mineola Middle School, turns 12; and "Mamay" Lita Fajutag, a Filipino housekeeper at Tyler Junior College, turns 59.
Threet said he and his bride knew they wanted to get married and thought they would make it special. His daughter was married on Nov. 11, 2011.
"We're just excited about it," he said. "We were thinking small for a wedding, and it is in the middle of the week. ... It just seemed really cool."
Ms. Taylor added, "I doubt we'll ever forget it. Both of us, we just really liked it a lot."
The two met in 1972 and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1976. Ms. Taylor said they were attracted to each other but went separate ways after high school and married other people. They eventually reconnected in 2010 and will live in McKinney after taking their vows.
"We had both said we had prayed for someone to come into our life. ... I'm very happy," Ms. Taylor said.
Pruet, who is retired, said the special date is "mind-boggling," but turning 60 does not bother him. He already renewed his driver license, which expired on Dec. 12, 2012.
"It's just a good life. Every year you get older, you have to be blessed with it," he said. "It's just good to be alive."
Mineola Middle School student Annalee, who plays flute and is on her school's model United Nations team, said 12 has been a lucky number for her at times "but not very much." Still, she said she likes having her birthday close to Christmas and that turning 12 on Dec. 12 was "kind of cool" and "ironic."
"I think it'll be fun," she said.
Her mother, Lori Cook, added, "I think it's awesome and unique. She's a unique individual, so it's suiting to her to have an unusual little thing happen. It's really rare."
Annalee planned to have birthday cake and presents with cousins. She wanted a Furby as a birthday gift and strawberry cheesecake.
"Mamay" Lita Fajutag said she too is pleased about her birthday this year. In fact, she has been celebrating with friends throughout the week.
"She doesn't take off work, but this year she took a whole week off work, so that's her treat to herself," said Ed Santos, who served as a translator.
Ms. Fajutag, who has eight children, one of which lives in Kilgore, has been cooking Filipino food all week and building fires to stay warm, Santos said.
"She's cooking a little bit for this week every day (for her enjoyment)," he said, adding that every year on her birthday, she likes to prepare noodles.
She also plans to go to church today the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- a Catholic celebration.
"It took her over a year to get over culture shock. Every year, it's becoming better for her adjusting," Santos said.
