Turning the Tables: Women Ask Men, "Will You Marry Me?"

The traditional proposal for marriage usually involves a man getting down on one knee with the intention of asking his girlfriend the ultimate question that confirms his desire to seal the deal on commitment. The knee option is questionable in this day and age and each man has the right to be creative in his creation of a more unique wedding proposal.

On rare occasions, the roles are reversed where a woman will ask her boyfriend to marry her. Some people can't understand the concept, especially in most situations where the man who accepts still gets the woman an engagement ring.

In the past, a woman was only allowed one day, the last day of February on a leap year, to ask a man to marry them. According to Yahoo answers, "It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said women could propose on this one day in February during the Leap Year."

On the radio this morning I was listening to 98.7 Kiss FM (New York) and they had callers who experienced this role reversal. They received calls from men and women. One woman who is married to the man she proposed to, actually gave him a ring and caught him of guard by asking him to spend the rest of his life with her.

Another man explained that his girlfriend proposed to him but he was not ready for the commitment because he had gotten over an emotional divorce and needed time to get to that level again. They stayed together for two more years after that and then he popped the question and she declined. They are no longer together.

Some women, regardless of leap year, would never propose to a man. Maybe its from advice women have received over the years or because women were taught that they should not chase after a man. This is one of those topics that will open up discussion and have opinions on both sides of the fence.

I have never thought of proposing to a man and frankly I think, in my opinion that most men would not know how to handle it. On the other hand, many men may feel like the pressure is released if their girlfriend initiated the proposal of marriage.