Stolen, with love, from one of my adopted Moms' facebook status:
"Leap Year has been the traditional time that women can propose marriage
When the rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to
pop the question on one day every four years. That day was February
29th.
St. Bridget's Complaint
It is believed this tradition
was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St.
Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man
to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said the yearning females
could propose on this one day in February during the leap year.
February 29th in English Law
According to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal
status. Folks assumed that traditions would also have no status on that
day. It was also reasoned that since the leap year day existed to fix a
problem in the calendar, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust
custom that only let men propose marriage.
The first documentation
of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland supposedly passed a
law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in
that year. Tradition states they also made it law that any man who
declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine. The fine could range
from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves." (emphasis added by yours truly)
So, umm... Will you marry me?
(check Yes or No)
[Cue George Strait]
If "Yes," great! Hope you've got ideas for the wedding, 'cause the only things I've got in mind are the music and life afterward.
If "No," I accept all of the aforementioned,
italicized forms of payment as well as cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AND AmEx (I don't discriminate). Mama needs a new pair of character shoes.
I've actually got a lot to update about, but first I have to make sure my scene for acting is off-book for class today. Catch ya later!
