| Feb. 13 has become a day that is beloved by female Parks and Recreation fans as a time to forget about significant others and celebrate the important “gal pals” that make life worth living. Ever since the 2010 Parks and Rec episode “Galentine’s Day,” named for the celebration created by Leslie Knope, it has become increasingly popular for women to recognize this unofficial holiday. As women in a world that portrays romantic relationships as being of the utmost importance, it is crucial to remember the supportive ladies in one’s life, not just one’s significant other. Galentine’s Day gives the perfect occasion to do just that.
The media continuously displays romantic relationships as the most significant aspect of a person’s life. Celebrities are followed relentlessly in the hopes that their newest love interest is uncovered. Couples on Instagram gain thousands of followers simply because they are “relationship goals.” This isn’t necessarily wrong- who doesn’t want to see Vanessa Hudgens’ and Austin Butler’s adorable selfies? However, this emphasis on relationships can be taken too far when it skews the focus of many women to romance and takes focus away from the ladies around them who are supportive of them regardless of any love affairs. “I think it is equally important to celebrate the other people you love on Valentine’s Day, like your girlfriends,” senior Sunny Kim said. “It’s really important to celebrate who you have been with friend-wise for a really long time, plus it’s really fun hanging out with your girls anyways.” Kim is honoring Galentine’s Day with junior Emily Baldwin and a group of their best girlfriends. They plan on going out to eat and simply spending time enjoying each others’ company to commemorate the informal holiday. “[Galentine’s Day] means a good chance to celebrate my loving friends and appreciate that they are always there,” Baldwin said. On Feb. 13, take the day to forget about romance and do what makes you and your girlfriends happy- whether it’s eating junk food and watching a movie, or follow Leslie Knope’s lead and write a personalized 5,000 word essay on why they’re all so awesome. However you choose to celebrate your girls, abide by Leslie’s golden rule- Galentine’s Day is exclusively about “ladies celebrating ladies.” |
Give Gifts Like Leslie: In season 4 she gave gift certificates for facials and a needlepoint pillow with their face on it and the leading headline from a newspaper on the day they were born. |
Have Brunch: Waffles are a must, with extra whipped cream |
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Sing out: Female power ballads only, like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Spice Girls, Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, Destiny’s Child. |
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Give Gifts Like Leslie: In season 2 she gave her friends a gift bag with a bouquet of hand-crocheted flower pens, a mosaic portrait of each of them made from the crushed bottles of their favorite diet soda, and a personalized 5,000 word essay of why they’re all so awesome. |
