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Feb. 14 is dedicated to romantic relationships, dates and chocolates, but on Feb. 13, romance takes a backseat to a day with friends.
Otherwise known as Galentine’s Day, Feb. 13 is a day when women get together to celebrate platonic relationships with their female friends, as popularized by NBC’s TV show "Parks and Recreation."
In the show, main character Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, gathers all of her female friends the morning of the 13th to have breakfast, share stories and give gifts.
Allie Hartman, a freshman double major in psychology and classical cultures, first discovered Galentine’s Day while watching "Parks and Recreation." This is her second year celebrating.
“Last year, we got together and had a potluck,” she said.
Hartman is still planning the event, but this year she and her friends may participate in the Zumbathon in the Park multipurpose room and have dinner, she said.
Cara Raney, a sophomore psychology major, is also planning her second Galentine’s Day.
“The reason we started doing this is because one of my friends, she’s huge into 'Parks and Rec,'” said Raney. “She thought it would be a good idea for us to do something like that.”
Raney said it has been hard for all of her friends to get together this year, but she still plans on gathering a group of seven friends for the day and discussing activities that they could do.
However, Galentine’s Day means more than having fun with friends.
“Valentine’s Day gets so overdone,” Hartman said. “You spend so much time focusing on romantic relationships…It’s nice to take a step back and appreciate the friendships that you have that are around you that you don’t really think about that much."
Hartman also pointed out that celebrating Galentine’s Day strengthens and makes her appreciate her relationships with her friends.
“You just don’t stop to think about [friendships],” she said. “You take it for granted.”
Hartman even said that the reason why she celebrated Galentine’s day is because “We don’t appreciate our female friendships enough.”
Raney seemed to agree, but she expanded the idea of celebrating platonic relationships to more than just those between females.
“I think it’s important for groups of friends to get together. Not just Galentine’s Day for girls, but, like, the guys get together, [too],” Raney said.
One residence hall so far is hosting a Galentine’s Day event. Studebaker West is holding what they describe as “A Valentine's Day-themed party for the ladies of floors 1 and 5," according to their Benny Link page.
The party at Studebaker West will be held at 9 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the multipurpose room.
The page for the event says that it will involve “waffles, nails, Valentine’s crafts & girl talk.”
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