A couple years ago, I invited a few friends over for Galentine’s Day…
I set out a cheese plate and asked everyone to bring a sweet treat to share, since, as Julia Child said, “a party without cake is just a meeting.”
We also got a giant container of Spanish potato chips because life is short, you guys!!!
Then we sat at my dining table and made heart-shaped notes for people we adored, including friends, parents, partners, children, each other, and ourselves. We had a spread of construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, stickers, more stickers, beads, ribbon, letters, more letters, and glitter pom poms. We laughed and told embarrassing stories, and afterward, I got a dozen texts from friends saying, “That was so NEEDED.” I felt the same.
As Emily Rapp Black wrote years ago: “Here’s the truth: Friendships between women are often the deepest and most profound love stories, but they are often discussed as if they are ancillary, ‘bonus’ relationships to the truly important ones. Women’s friendships outlast jobs, parents, husbands, boyfriends, lovers, and sometimes children.”
Thoughts? Would you throw a Galentine’s gathering? What other activities or snacks would you suggest? I’d love to hear! My friend Susan once had ladies over on Galentine’s Day to watch Clueless, which made for a fun evening. Maybe this year I’ll play PEN15 on mute in the background.
Side note: When I was flipping through my phone for these photos, I came across a snapshot of a page from Lindy West’s book of movie recaps. Still makes me laugh.
P.P.S. The secret to female friendship, and the love story I never thought to tell.
