Feb 13

Feb 13 Who Says You Need a Partner to Celebrate in February?

I have a theory that everyone particularly loves the holiday their birthday is around. My friends born in late October have always loved Halloween—scary movies, creepy things, basically everything horrible. I love Valentine’s Day—hearts, gift giving, dyeing everything pink and red, and just celebrating all the people you love. That’s what Valentine’s Day is to me, not just a romantic holiday, but one to remember everyone you love. That’s why, when Leslie Knope made Galentine’s Day a thing, you better believe I jumped on board. February 13 is for the LADIES!

The critics seem to think Galentine’s is for depressed, single girls “taking back” their singledom, only to have the night turn into a pathetic group of sad sacks bemoaning the fact that they can’t find anymore. Um…no? For one, I celebrate Galentine’s with my girlfriends—single, in a relationship, looking, over everyone—no matter their status. There’s no “singles only” sign on the door, but even if it were all single ladies, the day is not to focus on your relationship or lack of one. This leads me to my next point. Two, Galentine’s Day is to honor all your lady friends and show them how appreciative you are of having them in your life. It’s a love letter to your ladies. What could be more “GRL PWR” and empowering that that? So, to those who hate on Galentine’s Day, you’re clearly not doing it right.

Year Three (because we forgot to take a picture Year Two): Cozy Cohorts

Over the last few years, a group of friends and I have made it an annual tradition to go out, bring each other little gifts and just have a great day or night out together. The first year it was a brunch, then it was dinner, but it’s always been on the 13th. This year we broke tradition, celebrating last Friday, the 8th, due to our busy schedules, but it was possibly the best one yet, except that we were missing two crucial ladies. Everyone came to my place with a homemade dip in tow and we gorged ourselves on a heart-shaped pizza (Is it even Galentine’s without a heart-shaped 🍕? I say no.). We drank sparkling rosé (because bubbles + pink = Galentine’s must) and talked late into the night about everything from our love of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets to the epic cuteness of one of the girls’ niece and nephew.

It was an awesome night just hanging out with the girls with the excuse to eat too much, decorate everything in pink or red and exchange little gifts we’ll never need, but definitely want (um, yes, please throwback Lip Smacker gloss). This is a tradition I’m happy to be a part of and one I don’t see dying anytime in the near future. I highly recommend getting together with your girls every year on February 13. It’s a day of lady love, people, celebrate it!