Every year, February 13 is Galentine’s Day. It is a day like Valentine’s Day, but focuses on a different kind of love—the love of friendship.
It encourages women around the world to come together to celebrate female friends and friendship.
Galentine’s came from a TV show called Parks and Recreation introduced in Season 2 Episode 16 titled “Galentine’s Day,” which aired on February 11, 2010. The character Leslie Knope introduced the holiday as a day to celebrate female friendships. In the show, Knope described it as an occurring occasion on the 13th of February.
Since then, Galentine’s Day has grown beyond the show and is now widely celebrated by women.
At Highlands, some girls have already started celebrating Galentine’s Day, strengthening their friendships and making memories together. This day usually consists of dinner, crafts, and spending time with the people they consider the closest friends.
“My friends and I made food, took pictures, had a sleepover, and just talked about life,” TéAna Sims (9) said.
Galentine’s is a day you spend with the friends you have grown with over the years and honor the connection that has become a constant source of strength and support. Giving them the chance to reflect on the bonds they have built over the years.
“I love doing Galentines’ with my friends because I get to spend time with them doing a girly get-together,” Amelia Frommeyer (11) said.
Teenagers go through many changes figuring out their identities, maintaining relationships, and going through both failure and success. Friendships become an anchor during the ups and downs of a teenage life. From carefree moments to uncertain, stressful moments, it is the friends who can help keep teenagers steady.
“I am so grateful for the friends that I chose to make in high school because they have shown me that when your world seems to come down there is also a path that can help you get out,” Emily Twehues (11) said.
Galentine’s Day also offers the opportunity for friends who don’t see each other often to catch up and spend a whole day together. It’s a chance to remember why they decided to become friends and how far all of the friendships have grown and evolved over the years.
At Highlands, it is clear that these friendships are more than just a high school phase, they are lasting relationships that have been built over time, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect way to celebrate the love and support they offer one another.
Don’t worry – there is also a Malentines’s Day which is meant to celebrate male friendships. While it doesn’t have an official origin or widespread recognition some people consider it to be on February 12. This focuses on brotherhood and male camaraderie instead of female friendships.
