Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Lester Martin logo
  • Engagement
    • Shop Complete Rings
    • Find Your Diamond
    • Start With the Ring Setting
    • Diamond Education
  • Collections
    • 302
    • Alisa
    • Ashi
    • Dugout Mugs
    • Barbela Design
    • Bassali
    • Chisel
    • Citizen
    • Cosi Bella Coins
    • Dilamani
    • Elysium
    • Ever & Ever
    • Fingerprint Jewelry
    • Hidalgo
    • La Vie
    • Lafonn
    • Leslie's
    • Lester Martin Collection
    • Meira T.
    • Lightning Ridge Opal
    • Mova Globes
    • Reflection Beads
    • Religious Collection
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Roger Dery Gem Design
    • Romance Diamond
    • Royal Chain
    • Shardz
    • Stuller
  • Jewelry
    • LMJ Deals and Steals
    • Engagement
        Complete Diamond Engagement RingsSemi-mount Diamond Engagement RingsAnniversary Bands
    • Wedding Bands
        Diamond Wedding BandsGemstone Wedding BandsGold Wedding BandsAlternative Metal Rings
    • Pendants
        Diamond PendantsGemstone PendantsGold PendantsSilver PendantsReligious Pendants
    • Charms and Charm Bracelets
        CharmsCharm Bracelets
    • Earrings
        Diamond EarringsGemstone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsPiercing Earrings
    • Necklaces
        Diamond NecklacesGemstone NecklacesPearl NecklacesGold NecklacesSilver NecklacesFamily NecklacesReligious Necklaces
    • Chains
    • Rings
        Diamond Fashion RingsGemstone Fashion RingsPearl RingsGold Fashion RingsSilver Fashion RingsFamily Rings
    • Bracelets
        Diamond BraceletsGemstone BraceletsPearl BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver BraceletsAnkletsFamily BraceletsReligious BraceletsBangle BraceletsChain Bracelets
    • Estate Jewelry
    • Giftware
        CrystalGold Dipped Roses
    • Men's Section
        Men's NecklacesMen's ShavingMen's BraceletsMen's AccessoriesClasps
    • Watches
        Women's WatchesMen's WatchesUnisex WatchesWatch Bands
    • Accessories
        Cleaning SuppliesWomen's Accessories
    • Eternity Bands
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing The Right Setting
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • About
    • About Us
    • Events
    • Our Blog
    • Diamonds Do Good
    • Services
    • Testimonials
    • Jewelry Insurance
  • Contact
  • AccountToggle My Account Menu
    Forgot Password?

    Don't have an account? Sign up now

  • SearchToggle Search Menu
  • Wish ListToggle My Wishlist
  • Bag (0)Toggle Shopping Cart Menu
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Tomorrow Is Leap Day; Are You Ready for Some Role-Reversal Proposals?

Tomorrow Is Leap Day; Are You Ready for Some Role-Reversal Proposals?

Published: Feb 28, 2024
Tomorrow Is Leap Day; Are You Ready for Some Role-Reversal Proposals?
Author: 
LMJ Blog Team

In the 2010 romantic comedy Leap Year, talented real estate "stager" Anna Brady, played by Amy Adams, is forced to take extreme measures after her cardiologist boyfriend fails to produce an engagement ring after four years together.

Invoking the Irish tradition that empowers women to pop the question on Leap Day, she travels to Dublin to track down her fiancé at a business conference in time to deliver a marriage proposal on February 29.

Yes, tomorrow is Leap Day, a romantic 24 hours dedicated to women who feel that have waited far too long for their men to pop the question.

In a recent Chillisauce.com survey of more than 10,000 respondents, the UK-based men's lifestyle and event-planning website asked women if they were willing to propose to their partners. Exactly 57% declared they would be willing to do it, and interestingly 76% of men agreed that they should.

When asked about the best day to propose, 52% of the women chose Leap Day, compared to 25% who picked Valentine's Day.

The concept of women proposing to men on Leap Day is rooted in 5th century Ireland where St. Brigid of Kildare hammered out an arrangement with St. Patrick to permit women to propose to men on a single day every four years.

Irish monks brought this tradition to Scotland, and legend states that in 1288, the Scotts passed a law that allowed women to propose on Leap Day. If the man refused the proposal, he would have to pay a fine, ranging from a kiss, to a silk dress or a pair of gloves. In upper-class circles, the fine for a proposal denial was 12 pairs of gloves. Presumably, the gloves would hide the shame of not wearing an engagement ring.

Leap Day proposals eventually found their way to England, where the date of February 29 uniquely held no legal status. The English reasoned that traditional customs held no status on that day either. Thus, women were free to reverse the unfair custom that permitted only men to propose marriage.

Leap Day proposals are now celebrated in North America and around the world. So, gentlemen, if you've been dragging your feet regarding a proper proposal, you may be in for a February 29th that will truly change your life.

Credit: Image by BigStockPhoto.com.

Categories
  • Previous Article
  • Next Article
Lester Martin Address
Lester Martin Jewelers
1650 Limekiln Pike B27
Dreshertown Plaza
Dresher, PA 19025
(267) 470-4771
ValentinesW
CLOSED: Sat 5/24 Fri & Sat 5/30 & 5
Store Information
Store Hours

Tuesday - By Appointment Only

Mon - Tues:Closed
Wed - Fri:10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Jewelry
  • LMJ Deals and Steals
  • Engagement
  • Wedding Bands
  • Pendants
  • Charms and Charm Bracelets
  • Earrings
  • Necklaces
  • Chains
  • Rings
  • Bracelets
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Giftware
  • Men's Section
  • Watches
  • Accessories
  • Eternity Bands
Collections
  • 302
  • Alisa
  • Stocking Stuffers. Most Items Below $75
  • Ashi
  • Dugout Mugs
  • Barbela Design
  • Bassali
  • Chisel
  • Citizen
  • Cosi Bella Coins
  • Dilamani
  • Elysium
  • Ever & Ever
  • Fingerprint Jewelry
  • Hidalgo
  • La Vie
  • Lafonn
  • Leslie's
  • Lester Martin Collection
  • Meira T.
  • Lightning Ridge Opal
  • Men's Shaving
  • Mova Globes
  • Reflection Beads
  • Religious Collection
  • Rembrandt Charms
  • Roger Dery Gem Design
  • Romance Diamond
  • Royal Chain
  • Shardz
  • Stuller
  • Valentine's Day Gifts
Our Store
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Services
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy
Mailing List

Sign up for special offers and discounts

© 2025 Lester Martin. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.