There seems to be quite a negative perception surrounding Galentines’ Day, that it was only invented for bored, single people. I believe it was created to spend time with the people who truly matter most, whoever that may be. For me, it’s my friends. Their daily compassion, understanding, kindness, humour, intelligence, and care often goes underappreciated. They have all the traits I have begged for in past boyfriends to have, and unlike those relationships, I have never been failed or left sobbing into a pillow.
I have never spent a Valentines’ Day with a romantic partner, but I have also never spent one alone. I have danced and sang and baked with friends and ate our body weight in ice cream whilst watching a soppy rom com until we groaned or laughed. I have spent February 14th every year filled with love and excitement not dread because I have met the people I will undoubtedly spend the rest of my life with regardless of any stage of a relationship, the good and the bad. I will always come back to the people who make me feel safe and loved, the ones who helped me grow and grew with me. In times of need and stress, it is their sofas I sit on and their mugs I drink tea out of, it is their arm I grab as I’m doubled over with laughter and their hands when I’m in pain. It is their shoulders I cry on and their words which build me up. It is their smiles I long to see and voices I never grow tired of hearing. They are my people and they are who I choose to honour this love season.
Unlike an ex, I don’t have to be drunk to text them that I miss them, or wait until their birthday to shamelessly slide into their DMs. Throughout everything my friends have always been there, and even when times passes and life gets in the way, they will always be there. We will pick up right where we left off saying “we shouldn’t wait so long to do this again,” because we navigated love and loss together. My friendships are the loves that last a lifetime and the ones I value above all else.
Picture Credits: Pexels
