Will you be having a Valentine or a Galentine?

By Josephine Carrillo | Published February 9, 2023

Galentine’s Day is neither as popular nor commercialized as Valentine’s Day, celebrated on Feb. 14, yet it is just as meaningful and important to friends who show their appreciation for each other and express how much they value their presence and loyalty.

Though it is not an official celebration, Galentine’s first appearance was on a U.S. sitcom called “Parks and Recreation” on Feb. 11, 2010. It is now celebrated every year on Feb. 13 by ladies who, regardless of their relationship status, want to commemorate and celebrate their friendships that have been through “thick and thin”. 

On Valentine’s Day, couples get to celebrate their love and relationship. They celebrate that despite all hardships, their love, trust, and compromise are intact.

In the case of Galentine’s Day, this is the perfect opportunity for friends to show their gratitude for being heard, cared for, and for the unconditional support they receive from each other.

“I will be celebrating Galentine’s Day this year,” Victoria Reghitto, a sophomore majoring in communication with a concentration in public relations said. “To me, Galentine’s Day is exclusively to appreciate our girlfriends and celebrate our love for each other, spend quality time together, and empower each other.” 

Galentine’s Day celebrates women, boosts their confidence, reassures them that they do not need a significant other, when they have friends that value, care, appreciate, and will be there for them at all times. 

Barbara Ardon, a sophomore studying public relations, said that this 2023, she will be celebrating Galentine’s Day. 

“G-Day means being able to be with my girls, who I love, have a great time, and be grateful for having them by my side. Friendship is love too,” Ardon said. 

Despite the saying “Friends come and go”, the value and impact of a friendship in one’s life is extremely important. Good friends become a part of one’s daily life routine. Sometimes they even stop being just friends, and become a part of the family. They become your “sister” or “cousin” because they have proved they are here to stay and will be your “ride or die” forever. 

“I will be celebrating both festivities, since one is to appreciate my friends, but Valentine’s Day is about celebrating the person you love, and I love my friends,” Ardon said. 

Even though Galentine’s Day seems like a perfect opportunity for women to celebrate each other and their friendships, some disagree and believe it is unnecessary. 

According to an article from the Insider, by Rachel Hosie, G-Day is “patronizing, sexist and unnecessary” since it sends a message that women need to celebrate and get together with their friends before Valentine’s Day to appease the fact that they’re single, heartbroken, or whatever their situation may be, so “they don’t fall into a pit of despair.” 

Corrine Drew, who is studying Public Relations, said, “I think Valentine’s Day’s essential purpose is to cherish, appreciate and do something nice for someone you love. It does not have to be celebrated with a significant other, your friends can be your Valentine’s.”

The three ladies, Reghitto, Ardon, and Drew agreed that a friend can also be one’s Valentine and there’s no need to have a significant other for the holiday, cherish those around you that love you for who you are. 

So, what will you be celebrating this upcoming week?

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