Galentines day began for me three years ago. I still can’t remember which one of my friends posted about it on Facebook, but as soon as I saw it, the idea it was planted in my brain. At the time, I didn’t think much of it (as many of us do when we get lost in the scroll), but as the days went by I couldn’t stop thinking about that small little clip. I needed to know more.
The original idea began with Amy Poehler on the show Parks & Recreation. In this specific episode Amy’s character Leslie hosts a breakfast away from the office for all the ladies she works with. As Leslie explains it:
“Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
This will be my third year organising a galentines celebration. What started three years ago with a very spare of the moment Facebook invitation to all the girls at work has now turned into a bit of a London tradition. In true Leslie style, as many of us that can, get together for either brunch or lunch (lets be real, we are not leaving the house in time for breakfast), and simply catch up together away from the work environment.
What began with a fictional holiday (from a show I have still never seen)…ends each February 13th with something a little more real, something a little more special and with something that I can’t stop fostering. At the heart of it, the concept is actually quite simple…ladies celebrating ladies; now there is something I can completely get behind. Why not have a day (even though its fictional) to celebrate the wonderful ladies in your world. To catch up, chat for hours and have a mimosa or two.
So to all my incredible lady friends, this one’s for you.
The lovers and the fighters.
The bold and the brave.
The dream chasers and the ones taking it one day at a time.
Keep going. Call someone.
Find those girls that have got your back and never let them go.
Encourage each other. Celebrate the wins and be there when life gets to be too much. Life is more like a marathon than a sprint. We are going to need each other to make it well.
Happy Galentines Day ladies. Here’s to you.
The world is better by having you in it.
Sending hugs & smiles,
Vanessa
