I can’t believe I’ve missed Pancake Day for the last 27 years.

I never knew Pancake Day existed until I saw it mentioned, by chance, this year on a long list of upcoming holidays in my day planner.

Unfortunately, I found it a few days too late.

A holiday for pancakes?!? I’d gladly trade in Valentine’s Day or Halloween for a holiday centered around the best breakfast food ever.Mmm...pancakes.

If you haven’t heard (or maybe I was the only one who didn’t know….), Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent.

I’ve heard of Shrove Tuesday. Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras.

Nobody told me about Pancake Tuesday.

According to my handy encyclopedia, in other countries, “particularly Ireland, and amongst Anglicans, Lutherans and possibly other [protestant denominations in Canada, this day is also known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday, because it is customary to eat pancakes on this day.”

Pancakes began to be associated with the day preceding Lent because there was a need to get rid of rich ingredients such as eggs, milk and sugar to begin the fast the next day.

Of course, the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) couldn’t miss an excuse to make more pancakes, and it even gave them away for a good cause.

As a fund-raiser, IHOP gave away more than one million pancakes nationwide (www.ihop.com/tellafriend.php) and collected donations for charity rather than charging.

I’m sad that I missed a holiday saluting one of my favorite foods. 

Let’s mark our calendars for next year with a note to buy extra Bisquick and Log Cabin.