FEBRUARY 29, or Leap Day as it's more commonly known, is not only notable for its rare occurrence but also for being the traditional day for women in mixed-sex relationships to propose to their partners.

Leap Day sees the tables of proposal turned with women across the world popping the question.

This was the case for Poole couple Charlotte and Adam, with Charlotte taking the reigns and proposing.

The pair have been together for five years after meeting in a nightclub in Poole.

Since then, they have moved in together and have a young child, Charlie.

It was Christmas 2019 that the idea of proposing started to form in Charlotte's head and she decided to just go for it.

Charlotte explained: "I felt like I had been waiting for Adam to propose. So I just thought, stuff it, I'll do it! It's something different and will take things further in our relationship. Proposing was the next step for us."

Charlotte wasn't the only one thinking about marriage, with her father frequently pestering Adam to propose.

She said: "Every week they have a pint together, and dad has always asked when Adam was going to propose to me. When I told him I was going to propose, he just said 'what have you got to lose?'"

The Bridge House Hotel was the chosen location for the magical moment, with Charlotte, Adam and Charlie always walking there in the summer, making it a meaningful place for the family.

To ask the important question, Charlotte entailed the help of Peeks Party Shop in Christchurch.

She explained: "They made up a balloon in a box. One side of the balloon read 'Daddy' and the other side read 'Will you marry mummy?' Charlie was the one giving the box to Adam."

On the day, Charlie presented the box to Adam who opened the box and read the balloon, which is when Charlotte got down on one knee and proposed.

Rather than proposing with a ring, Charlotte proposed with an engraved leather bracelet.

She said: "I was shaking trying to put the bracelet on him. But when I asked the question Adam said ‘of course'".

Now, with the nerve-wracking bit done, wedding plans are already underway.

Charlotte said: "On Sunday we went to pick my ring together and we have booked our engagement party. We are hoping to get married in a few years time because if we want a nice location, we need to save and work for it."

She added: "I think women should feel as though they should propose. I enjoyed doing it on the traditional day, and hopefully it will empower more women to do it."