It's that time of year again: The time when you are strolling through the grocery store and happen upon the “seasonal” aisle decked out in red, pink and white hearts. Maybe you pause for a second, feeling slightly unsettled by the blank stares of the various species of stuffed animals or maybe you’re the one staring blankly ahead as you wheel your cart quickly past the walls of candy you are pretending not to notice (and that you are secretly excited to stock up on during the Feb. 15 clearance sales).
I’m sure many people look forward to Valentine’s Day, and that’s totally okay because it is fun to dress up and have an excuse to get a semi-expensive dinner or see some sappy movie while sharing your heart-shaped chocolates.
I’m also sure many people dread Valentine’s Day because it reminds them how single they are. This is okay, as well, because everyone deserves a day of self-pity, personal pizzas and a pint (of ice cream, beer or both).
However, I want to point out that Valentine’s Day is not a big deal, despite what society and the media try to force onto us. It is only a big deal to companies profiting off of our vulnerability (because that is the common, emotional denominator of this holiday). Just go about your day however you please, it is still just another typical day.
One day I absolutely can get behind, though, is February 13th, the day before dreaded Valentine’s Day. A wise woman, who focuses all of her energy on loving her friends and being a powerhouse leader in her career, penned the best day of celebrating loved ones: “Galentine’s Day”. Leslie Knope (Amy Pohler) is a fictional character (sadly) on one of the funniest shows to grace this Earth, Parks and Recreation.
Personally, I look up to Amy Pohler (and her other half, Tina Fey). I also look up to Leslie Knope. She may be fictional, but she is the most driven, positive, optimistic, honest and loyal best friend you could ever ask for. I believe that Leslie Knope is the creation and combination of every aspect of a strong friendship. Leslie sees the good in every person and every situation, no matter how many obstacles try to stand in her way (or punch her in the face). She is the best friend you already have who never fails to put a smile on your face.
So, what is “Galentine’s Day”? As Leslie puts it, “Oh it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
It's not that I don’t love to celebrate love, or that I don’t enjoy evenings out with Dom, because I really do enjoy these things. I just think we should expand this idea beyond significant others celebrating their relationship, so if couples get a day of food and treats, then my best friends and I deserve a day of celebrating our relationship, together.
My mom always told me that my girl friends are going to be some of the most important people in my life. I may have relationships throughout my life and maybe settle down and get married at some point, but you will always need your best friends no matter where you are in life. The true friends stay by your side through every break up, every difficult semester, every embarrassing moment, every new job, every raise and every fear and doubt you may have (no matter how irrational most of them are) your girls are on your side, ready with an arsenal of support that would make Victoria’s Secret stores, everywhere, jealous.
Our girls are such key pieces to our lives and we deserve to celebrate that relationship. Celebrating “Galentine’s” could be a collective effort to praise the ladies in your own circle and around the globe to show we support each other, instead of how society believes women should treat other women: as enemies.
This is not to say that our significant others aren’t important or key pieces to our lives. When that person comes along who truly loves and respects you, and you know this is the person you could see a potential future with, then of course that is worth celebrating, but always remember your best friends were there before, they are there through the relationship and they will continue to be in your life the rest of the way. Your S.O. is the piece of your life that easily fits in, when most of your puzzle was complete. You need those first pieces before you can add on anymore, and your best friends are those first pieces that fell into place.
So, channel your inner Leslie Knope, tell your best friend she's a “poetic, noble land mermaid”, or let your mom know that she is a “clever, wonderful flying squirrel” with a “spectacular cloud of brilliance”, and remind all of the women in your life they are “unstoppable, glamorous freight train[s]”.
Go, fill up your shopping carts with mounds of heart-shaped candy and enough wine to get to the right level of happy-emotional buzzed to tell your best friends how much you love and appreciate them while you aggressively compliment each other.
Leave Valentine’s Day to the hopeless romantics, and embrace those gals you can’t function through life without because “Galentine’s Day” is the true celebration of love.