-DID YOU KNOW?-
By Tara Yilmaz
On a personal note, long before I got married, I celebrated Valentine’s Day every year for 14 years with my best friend. Albeit, we didn’t call it Galantine’s day. More like “stupid cupid day or lonely-hearts day.” It started from the “last straw.” When both of us were extremely disappointed with the lackadaisical effort our past partners made on Valentine’s. We didn’t want a single carnation and a 99-cent card with a lollipop taped to it. We wanted and deserved diamonds, Penguins jerseys, a day at the spa, a nice dinner, and to enjoy the holiday with somebody we loved. So why not celebrate Valentine’s Day with each other?
From that moment forward, we did just that. We lavished each other with diamonds from Tiffany’s, cards written with heartfelt messages, shopping trips, and dinners at 4-star restaurants. And refused to celebrate on Feb. 13 or “Side-Piece day” on Feb. 15 (the day men take the other girl he’s dating on the side out as if it were Valentine’s day). We were front row center, next to happy couples celebrating their coupledom.
→ Did you know Galantine’s Day is not an official holiday? Granted, you can buy Galantine’s Day décor on Amazon.com and watch television sitcoms like “Parks and Recreation” where the fictional character Leslie Knope informs the filming crew on what it is. “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every Feb. 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. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas.” But, it might take a few centuries for a U.S. president to issue a proclamation and for the United States Congress to declare it a federal holiday. For now, women nationally are happy with its unofficial status.
→ Did you know Galantine’s Day is traditionally celebrated on Feb. 13? This bonding day for besties, sisters, moms, and favorite gal-pals was designed to commemorate the loving friendships and relationships in your life. But why is it celebrated on Feb. 13? My best friend, Darcia Reed of Crafton, shared her opinion. “There are two reasons why I feel that women celebrate Galantine’s Day on the 13th. The first obvious reason is she may be married or in a relationship and Valentine’s Day is reserved for her significant other. We didn’t have that. We had each other. Second, some ladies leave the 14th open because they are hoping that somebody special may come along. For us, we had no hope. The reason why we celebrated Galantine’s Day on Valentine’s Day is that neither one of us wanted to celebrate it alone. Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day is a horrible day,” said Reed.
Apparently, my best friend is not alone in thinking Valentine’s Day is horrible. According to a Dakota Radio Group (drgnews.com) article by Dave Williams, “A new poll found Valentine’s Day might actually be the least popular major holiday in America.”
→ Did you know there are trendy ways to celebrate Galantine’s Day? That’s the beauty of this hipster holiday. Similar to “Friendsgiving” another unofficial holiday that’s been happening for decades before a mainstream title has been applied. There is absolutely no wrong way to celebrate Galantine’s Day with your gal pal. No conformity. If you choose to throw parties, get mani-pedis, shop at the mall, go to brunch, crash a happy hour, or just sit on the couch in sweatpants binge-watching true crime documentaries, it’s a gal’s prerogative. So, this year, whether you celebrate Galantine’s Day on Feb. 13 or 14, remember the main reason for the creation of this holiday. It’s a day for commemorating the non-romantic loving friendships and relationships in your life.