Valentine’s Day is a day for couples to show their love for each other. Although, more recently, Galentine’s Day and Palentine’s Day have become a staple tradition between friends. Instead of the holiday being exclusively for couples, friends spend the day showing each other how much they care for one another.

   “I celebrate Galentine’s Day because love doesn’t have to be romantic, my family love is strong, so I usually spend the day celebrating with them,” says Leah Schellhorn, a sophomore at Newsome High School.

   Many celebrate by baking, dressing up, throwing parties or even celebrating with family members. 

   “To celebrate Galentine’s Day, my mom has always gotten me a gift,” Schellhorn says, “She always buys me candies and chocolates to show her love through materials. She also tells me how much she loves me. She has set the standards for others in my life and makes me feel appreciated, even when I’m single.”

   Many people’s tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day between friends started as early as elementary school. “ In elementary school, my best friends and I made a promise, instead of being lovebirds on Valentine’s Day, we would be party animals and plan some of the best parties till we grow old,” Claiborne Young, a sophomore at Newsome says.

   While Galentine’s Day and Palentine’s Day are not deemed a national holiday like Valentine’s Day, the growing popularity makes it just as much so. Single friends celebrate together to show their appreciation for one another.

   “In eighth grade, one of my friend’s boyfriends broke up with her, and to make her feel better, we did Galentine’s Day,” Sulenny Urena, a sophomore at Newsome, says,” Since that day, it has become a tradition between my friends and me.”

   Despite the growing popularity, nine out of ten people say they celebrate Valentine’s Day. In comparison, only six out of ten people celebrate Galentine’s and Palentine’s Day.

   “I started the tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day because I watched everyone else do it, and I hopped on the trend,” Reagan Lefebvre, a sophomore at Newsome, says “ I celebrate with my girlfriend, and sometimes my mom will buy me chocolates for Valentine’s Day.”

   Although Valentine’s Day is more well-known and celebrated nationwide, Galentine’s Day and Palentine’s Day is an essential growing tradition celebrated yearly between friends.