Galentines’ Day—the #1 Underrated Holiday, IMHO
Ok, so Valentine’s Day is fine for some of you, but I prefer Galentines’ Day. It’s a chance to celebrate one of the sources of our strength—our girlfriends!!
Valentine’s Day is great at the beginning of a romantic relationship, but after that, to me, it just seems like a day to give flowers at an increased price, go out for a crowded (remember those days) fancy dinner, or gorge on chocolate (ok, so I do like that part). Those things are much more meaningful to me when they are not calendared, but just because ‘I love you’.
Galentines’ Day, on the other hand, does not involve the big expenditure of money, squeezing in a reservation at the hottest new restaurant, or buying something because its expected. Its an opportunity to get together, on the phone, on a videoconference, or in person, with those people who support you in the difficult times.
For many women, their girlfriends are those they turn to in times of crisis. Those whose shoulders you can always cry on. Those who have cried on your shoulder. Those you know your weaknesses, and your strengths.
Those women are not often celebrated for that.
They should be.
But, because they are friends, probably the most important thing to them about your relationship is you. And to you, them.
This year, to be Covid friendly, we are having our Galentines’ soiree at my friend Mel’s house. She has a sizeable living room where we can spread out. Because the weather in Chicago was horrible over the Feb 14th weekend, we are having it the weekend after.
We are having a fire. We are having a signature cocktail.
I’m calling the cocktail the Galentine. Its vodka, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, huckleberry syrup, and a splash of lime soda water for bubbles. Its festive, flavorable, and fun.
We are also mimicking our outdoor concert menu, since we missed outdoor concerts last summer. That means a charcuterie plate, pulled pork sliders on Kings Hawaiian dinner rolls, and something decadent for dessert. I’m thinking brownies and lemon bars sound fabulous. We’ll have limoncello with dessert, cuz we’re fancy like that.
We are also, in the spirit of outdoor concerts, going to bring out the outdoor concert chairs, the little tables that roll up into a tube, the solar lanterns, and some musical faves.
We will probably play some games. We will probably overindulge (remember, I said I like to gorge on chocolate).
It will be a chance to catch up, unwind, lament, share, and, best of all, celebrate each other.
So round up some of your friends, and celebrate your own Galentines.