Happy Leap Day
I don't know if you've heard this story, but a long, long time ago back in Ireland, Saint Patrick (who was just Patrick then) and Saint Bridget (who was just Bridget) were walking down a country road. Whilst they walked, they had a chat. Bridget said to Patrick, "You know, a lot of young girls come to me for counsel and they've been asking recently what they should do when they've fallen in love and they really want to ask a man to marry them. As you know, Patrick, A girl asking a fellow to marry her just isn't the done thing."
Patrick thought about it for a minute and said, "Bridget, you're right. Its not the done thing. So, what if we designated a day when it would be the other way around. A day when it would be the done thing for a girl to ask her fellow to marry her."
"That's a lovely idea, Patrick. Which day should we designate?" Bridget asked. Patrick already had an idea in his head.
"We should designate February 29th as that day," He said. "So, let the girls know, as its coming up soon."
"But, that only comes around once every four years, Patrick!" Bridget exclaimed. Patrick gave it some more thought.
"Well, how about this," He said, "A girl can ask her fellow to marry her on February 29th, it will be the done thing, and if he says no on that day, she can claim a forfeit."
Later in the week, when February 29th rolled around, Patrick was surprised to see Bridget walking up towards his house. He met her in the garden and they chatted amiably for awhile until she said, "Patrick, may I ask you a question?"
He said, "Sure."
"I wanted to know if you'd marry me," She asked. Patrick was dumbstruck. He opened and closed his mouth like a gold fish for a minute.
Then he replied, "I would love to, Bridget, but my vows to God. I can't."
Bridget smiled wily. "Fair Enough," She said, "As my forfeit, I'd like a new dress."
