Today is the 29th of February a day that only happens every 4 years. This day is added to the calendar  to align our modern day Gregorian calendar year with the solar year, or the length of time that it takes the Earth to complete its orbit around the sun.

Every 29th of February in Argentina, people follow a tradition: they eat Gnocchi and to bring prosperity money should be put under the plate. I only found out about my “neighbours'” tradition during our expat life when we met people from every where in the world, some of them Argentinians and some who have lived there. Tonight we are following “Los Hermanos” tradition and eating our Gnocchi.

More interesting it is the Irish tradition. In Ireland the 29th of February is the day women are “allowed” to propose to their boyfriends. Yes it is true “allowed”!!! But this tradition was started a long time ago and the legend says that began when St Brigid upset because many women were unmarried, struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men every four years.

It is believed this tradition was introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women the same way the 29th balances the calendar. But I am not so sure it achieves a balance: every 4 years???

Guys be happy with that at least you skip the pathetic “on your knees” proposal and the expense of the engagement ring, not to mention that you guys get nothing for it.