A DALE bride-to-be said her leap year proposal on February 29 using specially printed T-shirts has paid off after her long term boyfriend said yes.
Laura Harrison, 34, from Hilton Road, Barnard Castle, enlisted the help of her eight-year-old son, Ethan Ruddy, when she turned the tables on her boyfriend James Butler, 27, in the centuries old tradition of popping the question on the extra day in February.
Romance blossomed for Ms Harrison, a health care worker, when she went to work at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution where she met Mr Butler, who is a prison officer.
She said: “We were friends first and it just sort of grew from there. We had talked about getting married but I think James was really nervous about asking me. I know I was when it came down to it.
“But leap years only come around once every four years so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to go for it.”
She and her son secretly donned specially printed T-shirts under their jackets before they all headed out to High Force for a walk.
Mum and son revealed the proposal by unzipping their jackets while Mr Butler turned to take a photograph.
She added: “It was a really horrible day with hail stones and wind and I was really nervous, shaking. He was a bit shocked and it felt like ages before he spoke but he said yes, so it paid off for me.”
The couple celebrated at home with a bottle of champagne and a takeaway and have yet to set a date for their nuptials.
Ms Harrison added: “On the way home I just couldn’t believe I’d done it and I was still shaking as it was so nerve-wracking. I did tell a few close friends and my mum what I was going to do and they kept messaging to see what happened.
“I don’t know anyone else that’s done it, but it’s really paid off for me.”
