Forget 12 drummers drumming. This 12th day of December is much more special.
Wednesday is the last triple-digit day of the century — a perfect day for weddings, births and turning a year older.
For some, 12-12-12 isn’t a day they’ll ever forget.
When Randy Harshman and Ella Doyle of Woodstock got engaged, the date was almost as important as the “I do’s.”
“We wanted to pick another unique date because we started dating on a holiday,” Doyle, 35, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We thought it was cool. We just did it.”
They’re not alone. A survey by David’s Bridal estimates 7,500 couples will tie the knot Wednesday, even though Wednesdays typically aren’t the most popular for nuptials. Less than 500 couples married on 12-12-11, according to the bridal store’s survey.
Doyle picked out a formal dress, but there were no fancy invitations sent, she said. The whole thing is a secret, she said.
Tuesday afternoon, the pair was on the road to Savannah, where they’ll wed on a historic square. After a long weekend away from home, the newlyweds plan to create a slide show to announce the nuptials. Family members around the country will be getting an extra-special Christmas card, she said.
“We’re saving them some trouble and money,” Doyle said. “I’m expecting to get a lot of phone calls.”
For another family, the 12-12-12 event isn’t a surprise at all. It’s been nine months coming.
Shortly before noon, Sara Bryan of Johns Creek delivered little Sophia Rose at Northside Hospital.
“We thought it was a really cool due date and it would be fun to have her birthday be 12-12-12, but we thought the odds were pretty much slim to none,” Bryan told the AJC on Tuesday.
But her doctor — and Mother Nature — had other plans. After 32 hours of labor ended with a C-section birth for Simon, now 2, Bryan’s doctor suggested she and husband, Michael, book a spot in the operating room around the due date.
“If we have a choice, let’s keep what it was,” Bryan said.
Sophia went along with the plan, too, Mom said.
For other families, 12-12-12 brings yet one more 12.
Justin Hughes, a Hall County sixth-grader, will turn 12 years old Wednesday, a day he says he’s been looking forward to for years.
“I’ve been ready for it since I was, like, 7,” Justin told the AJC. “I couldn’t get really excited and I couldn’t wait, and now it’s finally here.”
Since being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease two years ago, Justin has had a diet that prevents him from eating sweets, he said. Instead, he’ll enjoy one of his favorite foods: steak.
His classmates and teachers also have been looking forward to his birthday, Justin said.
“Every time that we have an assignment, they say, ‘It’s due on Justin’s birthday,’” he said.
A Gwinnett County family also will be celebrating a birthday Wednesday. Kaitlyn Mackenzie James is turning 12 years old.
It’s a school night, so the bowling birthday bash will get started in the afternoon, her grandfather said. She’ll be playing on lane 12.
“It’s awesome because I have something to look forward to during the week,” Kaitlyn said.
This weekend, Kaitlyn plans to have a sleepover. Twelve friends are on the guest list.
