Leap Day, February 29 -- also known as Sadie Hawkins day -- is traditionally a woman's day to ask a man out or even propose marriage. This custom reportedly began in Ireland in the 5th century when St. Bridget convinced St. Patrick to allow one special day that a woman could propose. If the man refused, he was to be fined (in one version, the man was supposed to provide an item of silk clothing to the woman he rejected). Incidentally, Bridget proposed to Patrick and he said, "no."

One year, four of us took a fellow out to dinner and we all proposed to him, much to the amusement of the waiter at our table (the fellow told the waiter we were all leaving for Utah after the proposal). He turned us all down (because he didn't want to make anyone of us unhappy with his choice), and then gave each of us a gift of clothing as his fine....Barbie doll clothing!!!

I think I still have mine.

:)

What would you have done if he said yes? The way things are going polygamy's going to be legal if people in SF and Mass are sucessful. I myself had considered polygamy. It was the thought of having four mothers-in-law that killed the fantasy.

We were pretty safe with this guy. There is a little irony in the story. Our chaperon for the event was a married woman, and she is the one he's ended up with (she's since divorced from her original husband). You just never know where life will take people.

I thought it was just a dress..but that's from an article in the paper..silk in the 5th Century was way more expensive to get than it is now..;) even 2 centuries later, Charlemange was winning converts to Christianity with the offer of a linen shirt (there was some cheating, and some people wound up with several each as a result of 'serial conversions'..;)

Dialyn, got any plans for dinner on Feb. 29, 2008? ;-D