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Leap Year Wedding Proposals
How are you spending leap day this year? February 29, leap day, is this Friday, and according to legend, women are supposed to use leap years as an opportunity to propose marriage.
But why?
This legend has a saintly background –dating back to St. Patrick and St. Bridget. Supposedly, these two saints created this idea to help quiet unrest among St. Bridget’s community of nuns.
At that time, nuns were allowed to marry; however, not many of them were being proposed to. St. Bridget herself started the custom by proposing to St. Patrick, but unfortunately he had taken a vow of celibacy and had to turn her down.
Marry or Pay!
This custom caught on, and even became the law in Scotland. In 1288, Scottish law granted women the right to propose during leap years. If the man refused, he had to pay the woman a pound!
This tradition may sound like the more popular “Sadie Hawkins Day,” there’s no connection. Sadie Hawkins Day was created by Al Capp, the cartoonist, and is celebrated in November of all years, leap or common.
Already Married?
How will you use this extra day? Share your ideas in our forum.
And stay tuned! On February 29th, we’ll be posting the top ten finalists in our Worst Wedding Weather Contest! Your vote will help us choose a winner!
Leap Day Birthdays!
Ever wonder if leap day babies celebrate their birthdays on the 28th of February or the 1st of March? Most likely it’s March 1 since it might be hard on special birthdays (driving age, 21, etc.) to get people to accept your birthday the day before.
Sandi Duncan is the Managing Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. Click here to read Sandi's full biography.Free Weekly eNewsletter
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