As Valentine’s Day approaches, a growing number of individuals — especially students — are embracing a different kind of celebration – Galentine’s Day.
Originating from the television show “Parks and Recreation,” where the character Leslie Knope celebrates the day before Valentine’s Day exclusively with her female friends, Galentine’s Day has become a significant trend among college students.
Jordan Paige, a nursing student at Florida A&M from Orlando, emphasizes the importance of Galentine’s Day in her busy schedule.
“My plans for Valentine’s Day this year are to hang out with my friends and have a game night. Due to the demands of my nursing major, I’ve been busy, so celebrating Galentine’s Day is a way for me to reconnect with my friends whom I miss dearly.”
For Paige, the significance of Galentine’s Day lies in fostering vulnerability and support among friends. She highlights that the day provides an opportunity to be there for each other, especially for friends who may feel lonely without a romantic partner.
Galentine’s Day, according to Paige, breaks the stereotype that Valentine’s Day is solely for couples and encourages individuals to express love for their friends as passionately as they do for their significant others.
Jada Jenkins, a fourth-year health science major from Memphis, Tennessee, echoes a similar sentiment. “This year for Galentine’s Day I plan to have a movie night and order food with my two closest friends,” Jenkins said. “Celebrating Galentine’s Day instead of Valentine’s Day allows me to focus on the love and appreciation I have for the people closest to me.”
Jenkins emphasizes the importance of Galentine’s Day in her hectic schedule, providing a reason for her and her friends to come together and show love and appreciation.
She points out that although she does not currently have a significant other, she believes it is still crucial to express love to those around her, making Galentine’s Day the perfect occasion for such expressions.
Ta’Alyiah Harris, a general health science major from Columbia, South Carolina, plans to celebrate Galentine’s Day with a dinner outing followed by games at home.
Harris sees Galentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate and connect with friends, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and appreciating friendships. She believes that dedicating a day to celebrating friends and showing love is a fantastic way to strengthen the bonds between individuals.
Whether through game nights, movie nights, or dinner outings, individuals are finding joy and fulfillment in expressing love for their friends on this special day.
As this trend continues to grow, it is clear that Galentine’s Day is becoming a cherished tradition that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of showing love to those who matter most.