by Janelli Reynoso
This Valentine’s Day, instead of celebrating the execution of two men named Valentine (according to NPR, this is the original reason February 14th became a special day), celebrate those who don’t stab you in the back.
February 13th, aka Galentine’s Day, is a “holiday” started by the characters in a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation.
Galentine’s Day is all about women celebrating the love and friendship they have together.
Why your female friends matter more than romantic partners
Studies have shown that when women gather with female friends, they experience a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.
Andrea Faria, a college student with bad luck when it comes to relationships, says, “Friends make you feel like you belong, and that makes you happy.”
Not sure what to do with your female BFFs this Galentine’s Day? Here are a few ideas
Get sweet
The Edge of Sweetness, a five minute walk from the Thorndale station, is a spot where you and your gal pals can sit down and enjoy some coffee, tea, and baked goods. You can even host a party there.
If you want to make Galentine’s Day a year-long event, you and your pals can sign up for one of their cooking classes.
There are 14 outdoor murals along the Mile of Murals, an ongoing project that will eventually stretch from Estes Avenue to Pratt Boulevard. It’s the perfect place to shoot some selfies with your BFF.
RAM Art Studio, a five minute walk from the Granville station, will host a GALentine’s Paint Night on February 13 from 6:30pm-9:00pm.
For $10 per person, you and your friends will be seated at a reserved table and receive cupcakes. You can also bring in your own food and drinks. A piece of pottery to paint ranges from $11-$59 plus tax.
Play games
If you and your friends are competitive, check out Chicagoland Games Dice Dojo, a three minute walk from the Bryn Mawr station. They offer a large variety of demo games that you can play for free in-store.
On February 13, between 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., players can test out EDH and Casual Magic, two games that are perfect for newbies.
