Galentine’s Day has arrived just in time, because I need some all-out merrymaking and a moment to put aside some of the weight of the world. Galentine’s Day — for the uninitiated among you — is the day before Valentine’s Day. The fictional television character Leslie Knope from the comedy “Parks and Recreation” spoke it into existence 13 years ago saying, “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.” Simply put, Galentine’s Day is a holiday to celebrate female friendships.
Galentine’s Day was an instant hit from the moment Leslie professed her excitement about it during the show’s second season. A decade later, the invented holiday has gained a firm foothold in the American lexicon, pop culture and among gal pals everywhere. Count me as one of the millions of women who love it.
Deep and long-lasting friendships are after all women’s superpower. Research studies have confirmed the social, emotional and even physical health benefits of women’s friendships. Last December Time magazine highlighted several studies including one from 2010 titled “Women Doing Friendships” the year Galentine’s Day was created. Sociologist Eileen Green underscored the importance of women spending time with each other writing, “leisure contexts, particularly those with other women, are important spaces for women to review their lives.”
Nine years later a study published in the Harvard Business Review revealed that the most successful women had a network of female contacts. A 2020 study in Feminism and Psychology described female friendships as a place “of ease, escape, and refuge.” Plus, in UCLA’s 2021 study, researchers found that the close relationships women form with other women helped reduce toxic stress.
"Deep and long-lasting friendships are after all women's superpower."
Galentine’s Day was all about waffles and frittatas for the fictional Leslie Knope, but the real-life gatherings run the gamut from large raucous dances to Netflix and chill parties to my personal favorite: the all-night gabfest, because there is nothing better than sitting around talking until the wee hours with women who get you.
By the way, Galentine’s Day is not meant to be a replacement for Valentine’s Day even though Leslie Knope’s mantra was “ovaries before broveries.” If the online commentary I read is any indication, many women are happy to ditch the Hallmark holiday. But I’m not ready to give up Valentine’s Day candy and flowers. Galentine’s and Valentine’s both work for me.
Leslie Knope declared Galentine’s as “only the best day of the year.” So today I’ll celebrate my besties and raise a glass to the enduring power of female friendships. Happy Galentine’s Day!
