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Hey fellas. So I dunno if you've heard, but apparently on Leap Day, women are "allowed" to propose to their boyfriends. Yup, if a woman wants to propose to her boyfriend, she can only do so on February 29. Once every four years and must wait for a Leap Year.
My first assumption was that it's just another sexist ancient rule in the already bizarre world of marriage, a rule probably made up back in the middle ages, a time when women weren't even allowed to talk unless they were given permission by a man.
If you look back through history, you will find countless examples of just how dumb and illogical human beings can be. I mean, at one point, people believed the sun revolved around the earth. Then along came Galileo with his idea of a heliocentric universe.
As far as the leap day proposal is concerned, it too was the result of a series of illogical beliefs. The legend is that in the fifth century, St. Brigid of Kildare complained to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, that some men took too long to propose. After hearing Brigid rant a bit, he decided to allow proposals every leap day. Oh boy, how generous of him. Personally, I don't think women have to be given permission to be allowed one day every four years to do the proposing.
(Lisa's note: So I read up a little bit on St. Brigid -- who may or may not actually exist, depending who you ask, and who may have been a child when St. Patrick died, making this story complete folklore. But aren't those the best stories? Anyway, as the rumor goes, as soon as St. Brigid got St. Patrick's permission for women to propose, she dropped to her knee and popped the question -- to him. He declined, but gave her a kiss and a silk dress. So now, the tradition is that if an Irish woman proposes to a man, and he declines, he's still on the hook for a silk gown.)
What do you think? I can think of several couples where the woman is or was frustrated as she waited to be proposed to by her boyfriend for years. Yet, despite this frustration, she continues to participate in the antiquated belief that it is the man's job to do the proposing. If she does it, it takes the pressure off the man ... and she'll get her answers about the relationship quicker too. She could wait until February 29 just to use the leap day proposal tradition as a good excuse to build up the confidence to ask. But, if you're the "she" and didn't plan anything for today, you'll still have to wait another four years for the next February 29 to roll around. Don't wait. Just pick another day and go for it.
BRIDAL BABBLE: What do you think about leap day proposals?
Nice post. I think this is a cute tradition for women to get the ball rolling.
ReplyDeleteI think it is fine for a woman to propose, but to me, the idea would be to have discussions about it, if you have been dating long enough that it should be turning into something more. I don't think it is wise to try to coerce someone, as it will probably end up a divorce. There are many reasons why a person may not want to get married, for instance, it could be family inheritance issues, if a second or more marriage, all the extra complications, etc. If you want to get married, and the man isn't proposing, that is a sign to be very careful about your future, they are not as into it as you are, for some reason you need to know.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think a woman should be able to propose to a man whenever she wants! However I enjoyed the interesting back story of leap day and proposals.
ReplyDeleteSt. Brigid sure tells it like it is. Good for St.Brigid!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
I kind of think a Leap Day proposals would be a special. Great post!
ReplyDeleteObviously a woman does not have to wait for Leap Year to propose. But I think that this is a great story about St Brigid.
ReplyDeleteI noticed a movie on Netflix called Leap Day where a woman is planning to propose to her boyfriend. I didn't watch, but now I understand the tradition
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this tradition. I think it's fine if a women proposes anytime.
ReplyDelete