Galentine’s Day was created in 2010 by fictional government worker Leslie Knope, star of brilliant American sitcom Parks and Recreation. In the show Leslie is a fierce, bright, hilarious beacon of optimism, a hard-working employee of the ‘parks and rec’ team responsible for the green spaces and community activities in her town. Her favourite activities include eating, helping local residents, breakfast and enthusing about her best friend Anne Perkins (who is a ‘poetic noble land-mermaid’, ‘beautiful, glowing sun goddess’ and ‘chestnut-haired sunfish’, according to Leslie).
In the episode “Galentine’s Day” Leslie takes her pals to lunch, explaining “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style”. We like the sound of that.
What’s Galentine’s Day about?
In the words of Leslie Knope, originator of the holiday, it’s about “ladies celebrating ladies”. It’s a day to show your appreciation for your female friends and family who keep you going. The ones who stick with you through thick and thin and always have your back. And more than that it’s a day to celebrate the power of female friendships and relationships. Let’s hear it for the girls.
