Febuary, 9 2026 by Savannah Winter (‘26)
What is Valentine’s Day really for? When people think of Valentine’s Day, they think of flowers, chocolate, and red-wrapped teddy bears with a bow. People assume love, romantic gestures, and couples celebrating their relationship. But what if that wasn’t the only meaning of this special, loving day. What if Valentine’s Day was about celebrating friends too?
People love to love. With all this love, there should be a day where people celebrate all the important people they love in their lives. Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be limited to one type of love but instead many. Many people have had a consistent friend for large parts of their life…shouldn’t this be celebrated too? The truth is that people strive for friendship. It is a common foundation between strangers. It can change, grow, and deepen as much as any romantic love can. For many of us, it has been that one friend that has carried us throughout several relationships. They have been there for us through it all. So maybe, there should be a special time to honor them too.
Galentine’s Day is a newer holiday created to recognize the “gals” in your life. Although it is not as official as the original Valentine’s Day, it certainly is just as important. Friends are the people truly there for you through it all. From helping you through family conflicts, grief, school, and every small inconvenience you may undergo in life, friendship has a big impact on people’s lives. Friends are always there for a simple talk and although this is a small gesture, it can be one of the most significant forms of love and care. This day isn’t about narrowing your adoration into one person but instead acknowledging all the people close to you. Valentine’s Day limits the meaning of love to one person when in reality, it’s everywhere: in friends, family, and the community.
So whether you have a special someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day with or not, find your true gals, throw a party or take them out. Buy them flowers or write them a card saying how grateful you are for them. At the end of the day, we all need love to live; so, let’s celebrate all of it.