Image via prayitno
Marriage is a sacred bond between two people who are very much in love. A proposal is the beginning of a collective dream where the two of you build a life together and a promise of devotion and dedication to a shared future, no matter what.
But in this patriarchal society it’s the men who are expected to do the asking and sometimes they’re just not up to the task. So the good ladies of the relationship sometimes have to take the initiative. Of course, they can’t just do it on any day – that would result in them being declared mad and then they’d never snag a husband. Rather convention – and international law – dictates that women can only propose on a leap year, on that magical extra day – the 29th February.
This tradition has of course been popularised by the Amy Adams’ romantic comedy Leap Year from 2010 (hey producers you couldn’t wait till a leap year or was it a story just demanding to be told?).
Her character journeyed to Ireland to pop the question to the man of her dreams but ended up falling for the lovable Irish rogue and walking cliche. This is why women in general only get to ask once every four years. In all probability they’ll change their minds at least once that day and before you know it everyone’s married the first person they meet when landing in a country which doesn’t seem to relate to reality.
Then again, it’s a fairytale and those can happen in real life. Perhaps your proposal will end with a couple of Las Vegas flights culminating in your dream wedding in an Elvis themed chapel or maybe you’ll be whisked off to an enchanted castle. There’s a chance these things might happen but you’ll never no until you dare.
If you are a lady person and intend on proposing marriage to your man person then there are some things to think about. While it’s all lovely for him to give you a ring on your finger is he really going to want the same thing? Probably a diamond isn’t exactly his best friend. So what’s the alternative?
Perhaps he might like a special watch put on his wrist or a really manly necklace if that’s his thing. Alternatively you can buy yourself the ring of your dreams and make him present it to you as soon as he says yes. I mean he will say yes won’t he?
Any proposal is a risk. It’s a big change and especially if you are changing the rules.If you both are sure the relationship is at that stage then is there a reason he hasn’t already asked?
Maybe he’s planning it already and he’s saving the proposal for some amazing night requiring elaborate preparation including a string quartet on a mountain top. So make sure if you do go ahead that it’s as special and romantic a gesture as the occasion deserves. Obviously it’s ultimately about you both being together but make sure you do it right, because four years is a long time to wait.
Did that trailer show you the entire plot of the film? Are you going to propose on February 29th? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
Related posts:
February 28, 2012
Weddings