2008 is a Leap Year and has been the traditional time that women can propose marriage. Many cultures today think women can propose at any time, but it was not always the case. In the olden days when relationships were stricter women were only allowerd to propose on one day every four years - February 29th.

This tradition originates from 100's of years of ago when the leap year was not recognised and the day was "leapt" over which lead to the term "leap year". The leap day is used to correct the difference in the calendar year of 365 days, as in fact it takes the earth 365 days 6 hours to orbit the sun. What a great use of this extra day to start a tradition of letting women propose to men.

So are you going to take advantage of this tradition?

Perhaps you are disappointed with Valentine's Day, over-priced restaurants, tacky card, limp roses that cost a week's wages and to end the evening with no proposal. So, if you think Valentine's Day will be the same as any other year, take the opportunity to propose to your man on February 29th.

If you want to brave proposing, we would love to share your story of how you did, when, where and the outcome. Send us an e-mail with your stories and we will be publish them on the site, please feel free to send any pictures of you "happy couples to be".

Send your Proposal Story to Debbie

Tips on Proposing

If you have any tips let me know and I will add them to the site

• Visualise the proposal - be positive and clear about what you want and you are more likely to get it.
• Don't think you are alone - 9% of proposals are from women! and 80% of men will say yes.
• If you really want to do this, make sure you will get a Yes, not many couples will survive a No answer
• Do NOT propose to a man under 6 months - the relationship is too "new" and you need a bit more time to discover any skeletons he might have.
• Don't go down on one knee - high heels and low cleavage don't go well together! plus ladies you may not look flattering in this position.
• Avoid public proposals - try and plan your proposal to be at the right time for him