By Kayla Hallac, Staff Writer
Many look forward to Feb. 14 – receiving chocolate hearts, heart-shaped balloons or cheesy jewelry while spending the perfect date with that special someone. But many people don’t know about Feb. 13, when women celebrate with a spa day, a shopping spree and good friends for what has come to be known as “Galentine’s Day.”
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, most are either worried about finding that special person to spend it with or getting excited to have a romantic holiday. But according to statista.com, a survey shows only about half of Americans planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2019. That means about half of society has been stuck thinking Valentine’s Day isn’t a holiday for everyone to celebrate, just those with significant others.
Whether single or not, there is another option for those who want to celebrate love with a little less pressure.
Galentine’s Day is a time to celebrate friendship and the bond you have with others, particularly for you and your “gal pals” or “bros” (for the men). To me, this holiday is equally, or maybe even more important than our traditional Valentine’s Day. Love itself is “an intense feeling of great affection.” Loving friends and family is just as important as loving your significant other.
Celebrating Galentine’s Day doesn’t mean you wouldn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but that you would have an extra day to appreciate the other people you love – because everyone has someone who is important to them, romantic or not.
Galentine’s Day was invented by “Parks and Recreation” character Leslie Knope as a chance to have “ladies celebrate ladies.” The popularity of this day grew from merely a TV show reference to an inspiration for products in stores and an inspiration for people around the world. (Watch Leslie and her friends celebrate here.)
In my mind, Valentine’s Day is a time to appreciate those who mean the most to you, and if you don’t have one person to celebrate on that day, Feb. 13 can make you look forward to the season just as much.
So buy the flowers for your best friend. Give the heart-shaped “Girl Power!” SweeTARTS to your squad, or pamper one of your inspiring pals. Whatever the token, kindness breeds kindness, and the genuine attitude from those who give is priceless.
Next time you’re listening to a sappy love song and find yourself sad and wishfully thinking about the holiday, remember: You may not have a Valentine, but anyone important to you can be your Galentine.
Sophomore Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.
