12/12/12: Downers Grove Friends Celebrate Once-in-a-Lifetime Birthday

The number 12 holds special significance in our lives.

Twelve months in a year, 12 inches in a foot, 12 signs of the zodiac. People in a jury, beers in a pack, roses in a bouquet—all grouped in 12. And don't forget the 12 days of Christmas.

For those celebrating a birthday Wednesday, the triple-digit date alignment of Dec. 12, 2012—12/12/12—sprinkles something extra over an already special day, thanks to the rarity of the numerological occurrence. The date is the last such occurrence until Jan. 1, 2101.

Call it rare, or special—call it a wedding anniversary easy to remember. In Las Vegas, one wedding chapel expects it will see 10 times the normal amount of ceremonies it sees on a Wednesday, according to one CNN.com article.

In Downers Grove, two friends decided to host a midnight celebration with friends to celebrate the day, which also happens to be their birthday.

Holly Tlusty and Kevin Gammonley became friends nearly eight years ago after their children, Tyler and Emma, were in the same class at Lester School. Not long after they met, Holly and Kevin learned they shared the same birthday, Dec. 12.

Over the summer, while hanging out with their families, Holly and Kevin decided they wanted to do something special to ring in their "once-in-a-lifetime" birthday on 12/12/12.

"We thought, why not have a toast at 12 a.m. on 12/12/12? What could be more perfect?" Holly said.

On Tuesday night, Holly and her husband, Tim, hosted Kevin and his wife, Angie, along with some friends and Holly's mom, for a midnight toast.

"We wanted to have something small and quaint," Holly said, "But we also wanted to have fun and celebrate a historic day."

Kevin said he and Holly enjoyed taking a break from their families' busy schedules to have a weeknight party.

"It was a blast," he said. "It was a fun excuse to get our friends together, and it certainly made our birthdays more special."

Kevin said he plans to spend the rest of his birthday with his family.

As for Holly, she has been looking forward to her 12/12/12 birthday for as long as she can remember, but she doesn't have any crazy plans. 

"Just dinner with my husband and kids," Holly said. "I love birthdays, and this one is especially fun to celebrate."

Patch Associate Regional Editor Lauren Traut contributed to this report.

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