Valentine’s is out. Galentine’s is in.  

Now, before getting upset and rolling your eyes, give me the chance to explain myself. My intention is not to shame those celebrating Valentine’s this year with their significant other (although I could do that … I mean Vogue did say having a boyfriend is embarrassing), but rather to express why friendship deserves intentional celebration. 

Historically, Valentine’s Day was not a holiday just for romantic connections; it was a day to celebrate love in all forms. It was an opportunity for us to express the love and appreciation we have for those in our lives. 

All year long, we celebrate various life moments like birthdays, career advancements, holidays and the little milestones in between. These occasions are all focused on either one specific person, accomplishment or a religious or historical event.  

Most of the time, there is an overlap in the people attending. I find that many of these occasions are rooted in friendship, but friendship is not the sole purpose of the celebration. This is exactly why Galentine’s stands out.  

Over the past six or so years, I have celebrated Galentine’s with my friends. This typically includes making pizzas, serving fun drinks, setting out a platter of treats and wearing our pajamas. We plop down on couches and reminisce on all the memories we’ve made together, sharing in laughter and gratitude. The food doesn’t matter. The activities don’t matter. The people do. We enjoy the company of one another while celebrating something so simple: the fact that somehow, in some way, the world has brought us together so that we don’t have to do life alone. 

I find friendships to be one of the most special parts of life. They deserve a day dedicated to their celebration. For me, that is exactly what Galentine’s has been. 

Romantic relationships, on the other hand, are celebrated with anniversaries. Valentine’s Day is just an additional day to celebrate the same thing. Fun and festive, sure, but I would argue not quite as necessary as taking just one day to celebrate the people who make life what it is. After all, when romantic relationships go south, your friends are the ones who stick by you. 

This year, make celebrating your friendships a priority, whether that be with a Galentine’s gathering or another way. Friendships deserve to be celebrated too.