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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter.

Out of all the months in the calendar, February is often a time overlooked.  After all, it is the shortest month of the year.  However, it is host to several holidays, such as Presidents Day and Groundhog Day (Yes, even Groundhog’s have a holiday in this month).  It also is a month dedicated to the history of the black community in our country.  But, there is something about February that most, especially those without a significant other, would rather forget about: Valentine’s Day. 

In the past, February has always seemed like a month all about the color pink and anything heart shaped.  It seemed like no matter where you turned, the entire month was about couples, love and, romance.  In the more recent future, those without a partner have decided to take the month back and invent a new holiday.  And so it was decreed that on the 13th day of the month of February there would be celebration of friendship for all women. 

This “holiday” became known as Glalentine’s Day. 

Though the concept of girlfriends hanging out together is nothing new, to put together an entire day dedicated to expressing your appreciation for your fellow female friends is something spectacular.

 The notion of Galentine’s Day first became popular during an episode of NBC’s Parks and Recreation, in which main character Leslie Knope invites all of her “gal-pals” out for a wonderful breakfast.  During this breakfast, the group of women exchange creative and heartfelt gifts to express their love and support for one another.

But why is this so important? Why does spending a day with your girlfriends effect you positively in anyway?

Perhaps it is the notion of a community of women coming together to spend time expressing their deep admiration for one another that makes this nonofficial holiday so worth celebrating.   As the world continues to get scarier and, life constantly becomes more chaotic, why not take time to be around those that make you smile.

If you’re stressing about the fact that it is the second, tenth or, twentieth Valentine’s Day you’ve spent solo then change the situation into a positive one.  The importance of Galentine’s Day is that it is a time spent focusing on love from friendships and sisterhood instead of love from romance. 

Another fantastic thing about this “holiday” is that those celebrating can forgo the normal activities associated with the day’s alter ego: Valentine’s Day.  Instead of a candle-lit dinner, opt for a restaurant with a chill atmosphere.  Better yet, gather together in front of the TV and order in from some of your favorite take-out places.  Instead of roses and chocolates, trade in for scented candles and bath bombs.  Perhaps your group of ladies would prefer to take a wine and paint class together.  Maybe even find a Karaoke Bar and rack up enough embarrassing video of your pal Liz trying to belt out “I Will Always Love You,” to last through until 2019. 

Honestly, you know your group of friends best and, will be sure to figure out how you’ll want to spend this officially not official holiday.  Planning the event is usually half the fun anyway. 

Even if you have a special someone this year, Galentine’s Day can be a time set aside for your best girlfriends to convey that you still care and love them.  Often times it is hard for those in a relationship to find a balance between partner and friends.  Now you can have a day to catch up with those that you maybe haven’t seen in a while.  Though you will probably get asked about a million embarrassing details about your significant other (Yes, flashbacks of winter break and the dreaded questions from relatives may happen) the torture should only last until they move on to another topic, like your friend Teresa’s new bangs. 

At the end of the day, you’ll come to realize that your friends truly have your best interests at heart.  You’ll have created memories that will get you through the tough times ahead (Or at least through midterms).  You’ll have solidified you friendship within your community of women and, learned that there are people who are there for you.

The greatest thing about Galentine’s Day, is the moment you look around and realize you’re a part of something wonderful.  While everyone is eating or laughing, take a moment to embrace the chaos that comes with being surrounded by these strong women.  You’ll come to appreciate these moments more and more as time goes by. 

It doesn’t have to be perfect and, your gal pals know that.  All it takes is all of you together to make it something special. 

 

Photo Credit: Cover, 1, 2 , 3 , 4

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Colleen is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. Along with being a staff writer for Her Campus, she volunteers with the Young Women's Leadership Program, or YWLP. When Colleen isn't volunteering or writing, she is attempting to keep her plants alive. She claims that if she weren't looking for a writing career, she would try out being a florist. Her first inspiration to pursue journalism was none other than the quirky reporter Keely Teslow, from Disney Channel's Phil of the Future. What has continued to inspire Colleen to continue on in a journalism career is her constant curiosity and passion for writing about life.
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