As of: February 29, 2024, 5:00 p.m
By: Sabine Lehmann
Comments
Press
Split
Enjoyed her special birthday: Käthe Spies with husband Georg.
© Sabine Lehmann
Käthe Spies only really has a birthday every four years: she was born on February 29th.
This time, husband Georg Spies has planned all sorts of surprises to celebrate.
Altenstadt – Käthe Spies from Altenstadt sits proudly and full of expectations on her sofa in her cozy apartment.
“Today is my day,” she says happily.
Because on this February 29th she can celebrate her 80th anniversary.
Having a birthday every four years is a strange thing.
“Even as a child, I thought it was a shame when others could celebrate on their special date,” Spies looks back.
“I always celebrated my special day on February 28th.” She never wanted to celebrate on March 1st.
“After all, I was born in February,” she emphasizes resolutely.
After 20 leap years, the day must now be something special, says husband Georg Spies.
The 78-year-old is always good for surprises.
So on February 29th he ordered the local newspaper home.
He also got congratulatory autograph cards from the actors in the BR show “We in Bavaria”.
But the big break is yet to come: “Now I can tell you,” smiles the Altenstadt resident.
“Tonight the Altenstadt brass band and some friends are coming to honor you.
And with 20 to 25 men.” Käthe Spies can hardly believe her ears: “What?!
So many people,” she exclaims.
And the 80-year-old was speechless.
Many well-wishers are calling
But Spies will still need it because the phone keeps ringing.
There's a long list of names on the coffee table that she has yet to recall.
“You’re just popular,” says the husband happily.
Käthe Spies was born in Peißenberg, from where she went to Munich for her husband's professional reasons.
But she also made a career in the big city and worked her way up to shipping manager.
The couple then came to Altenstadt through friends, where they bought a house in the 1980s.
They sold it ten years ago and secured a new apartment in town.
“Everything here is largely barrier-free and we no longer have as much work to do as we did in the house,” says Käthe Spies.
There is more time to enjoy for the couple, who are real South Tyrol fans.
They have been going to the same small hotel for over 20 years.
But not just for vacation.
The two of them often venture to their dream place to have coffee.
“We go there and sometimes even have dinner at the hotel.
And at midnight we’re back,” says the 78-year-old, who has been married to his Käthe for 57 years.
The couple promise themselves that they want to continue their short trips for at least 20 years.
Instead of flowers, the Altenstadt resident bought lucky tickets for his celebrating anniversary.
But the two of them have long since redeemed their biggest win: their unwavering love and joy of life are a gift that not everyone gets.