Typically, February is seen as the month of romance, represented by hearts, chocolate, and love letters; meanwhile, some people don’t have a special someone to call their valentine when the fourteenth rolls around. It can be difficult to see the cute couple posts on social media when the closest thing you have to a Valentine is your group chat planning a get-together and spreading the latest gossip. But maybe that friendship is the new trend. Is Valentine’s Day only about romance? Or is Galentine’s Day the real main character? 

What is Valentine’s Day? 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th and traditionally focuses on romance and love. The vibe is sweet, romantic, and sometimes dramatic; usually symbolized by flowers, dates, love letters, and big teddy bears. 

What is Galentine’s Day?

Galentine’s day is celebrated on February 13th and celebrates friendship. The vibe is cozy, chaotic, and full of inside jokes. Galentine’s activities include movie nights, matching pajamas, baking, snacks, face masks, and laughing until your stomach hurts.

The pressure vs. freedom

Valentine’s dates can feel stressful and awkward; everyone is focused on finding a partner. Not everyone wants to dress up and spend a bunch of money on a fancy dinner. Galentine’s parties offer relaxation, inclusivness, and an opportunity to be yourself: get comfortable in a hoodie and pajamas, snack on junk food, and laugh about nothing for hours.

Why both matter

Valentine’s focuses on romantic love while Galentine’s celebrates friendship love. Both remind us that love isn’t just one thing, and you don’t need a relationship to feel special. Love comes in many forms, whether that’s receiving a love letter, crying with your best friend, or taking a moment for yourself. At the end of the day, the best kind of love is the kind that makes you feel seen.