I’m proposing that my boyfriend and I complete 5 Munro’s over the next 12 months. And that we drink slightly less beer, and finally, officially, move in together. But I’m definitely not popping the question, ‘that’ question.
Today is February 29, the only day in four years women are traditionally allowed to get down on one knee and propose spending the rest of your life together with the one we love. But these days, during our fight toward proper gender equality, is this tradition valid anymore?
It dates back to the mid fifth century where Saint Brigid of Kildare, who was sick of waiting, beseeched Saint Patrick for a day when women could propose marriage to longtime suitors. She could almost be called an early feminist, but why did she only ask for one day in every 1461?
If we want true equality, then both men and women should be able to bring up matters like these with no reproof, and discuss them in that often elusive “safe space”. Equality is a two way street. While marriage no longer has as many of its advantages, we should empower women, and men, to discuss marriage in an open and honest manner, before signing up for a lifelong commitment.
A Hedy Journey 