In 2010, the TV show “Parks and Recreation” featured a unique holiday in their show: Galentine’s day. Set on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s day, the event celebrates the bonds and friendships between females. The fictional plot from this show transformed into a real event celebrated by women all over the world to honor their female friends. While romantic relationships have often been regarded as the foundation for a person’s life, female friendships are increasingly seen as more significant, especially in young adults as they navigate through the early stages of life.

The origins of Valentine’s day are unclear, but many believe the day commemorates a massacre. For some, the dark history of Valentine’s day can result in a desire to avoid celebrating the day. At St. Paul Academy, many upper schoolers do not celebrate Valentine’s day since it does not pertain to their personal lives much. For some female students, Galentine’s day provides an opportunity to get together with friends and hang out rather than worrying about finding someone to celebrate the romantic holiday with.

Senior Tess Hick celebrates both Valentine’s day and Galentine’s day.

“I don’t think Galentine’s day is in competition with Valentine’s day. I just think it is also great to celebrate the platonic love we have in our lives and the support we get from our friends as well as our romantic life and significant others,” Hick said.

Last year, Hick hosted a senior girl’s night as part of Galentine’s day to celebrate all the friendships in the grade.

“We watched the Berenstein Bears and had a bunch of Valentine’s candy and did “High School Musical” karaoke. This year we are going to do the kindergarten mailboxes where you write valentines to each other to help bolster support,” Hick said.

Similar to Hick’s alternative celebration, Junior Mashal Naqvi spends her Valentine’s days going mini-golfing with her friends.

“A few of my friends and I go to Can-Can Wonderland to just hang out with each other instead of celebrating the romantic version of Valentine’s day,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi believes that Galentine’s day is more relevant to her life right now.

“I love getting another excuse to hang out with my friends, and I think, especially for my life right now, celebrating friendships is a really important thing,” Naqvi said.

For sophomore Elijah Johnson, Valentine’s day is not something he celebrates.

“[Valentine’s Day] is not a significant part of my life right now. My cousin’s birthday is on the same day, so I celebrate her birthday rather than celebrating Valentine’s day,” Johnson said.

Whether students celebrate Valentine’s day or Galentine’s day, it is always important to celebrate the important people in one’s life and solidify long-lasting relationships.