Leap year wedding proposals - would you? Real life story + how to video for women

So, it's February 29 - the day that comes around once every four years, when the calendar plays tricks on our eyes and a leap year takes place.

You may also know that a leap year (according to Irish folklore) gives women the opportunity to propose to their men. Women can do this any day of the year, of course, but legend has it that a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man, with compensation ranging from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow.

And so it followed that in some places, the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day, February 29, or to the medieval leap day, February 24.

So that's the history behind it, but... would you do it?

And if you're a bloke, would you like that? Would it ease the pressure to do the asking?

I spoke to friend John Delaney who tells me that when his now wife Kate proposed to him ("at 8.15pm, 12 years ago today") it was a fantastic, unexpected surprise.

"Yes, I was caught by surprise and had not expected it at all. I hadn't even realised it was February 29, so was in a shock when she proposed. After about 10 seconds of being in shock, I said yes!"

"We had been dating for two years, and while there had been talk of marriage, and I’d been thinking about popping the question at some point, I must admit I was not at all prepared. I was due to go on night shift that evening and Kate suddenly said to me, "I want to ask you something..."

And then she said to me: "Will you marry me?'

"Thing is, everybody else knew she was going to pop the question, but I had no idea. Once I got over the surprise, I said yes."

So, did John not think it was meant to be his job to do the asking? That she has kinda 'stolen his thunder'?

"Not really. I had thought about how I was gonna do it and being a romantic, I had various grand plans about exactly how I was going to do it.

"But I wasn't disappointed. In a way I was quite honoured. That she would put herself out there like that. That she was so willing to show me the depth of her love for me.

"Even though there is that tradition that men do the asking, many more women seem to be doing it.

"It’s a risk – for us guys - to ask. I mean, you’re putting yourself out there. You are saying, I love you so much and I am confident you will say yes. But all men get nervous about it."

So, what would John say to women who are contemplating popping the question today?

"Absolutely – do it. If you love your partner that much, by all means, show it, take the chance."

Stuck for ideas?

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