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In a month where love is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, Galentine’s Day celebrates friendships everywhere between our binary and non-binary sisters. What better way to enjoy and elevate our friendships than with movies and shows that highlight the meaning of our love for each other. Even during a pandemic, services like Netflix Party, Zoom, and the forgotten Skype help reconnect us. These five shows and films shed light on the different aspects of friendship and how our bonds transcend tough times and petty disagreements.
Parks And Recreation: “Galentine’s Day”
First on the list is the original Galentine’s Day inventor: Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec. If you want to know the day’s origins and some Leslie Knope approved celebration tactics, watch Season 2, Episode 16 of Parks and Rec. Leslie saw a need for a special day to acknowledge the unique connection between platonic friends. Realizing that friendship is built on love just as much as romance is, what better day to celebrate than the day before Valentine’s?
Leslie’s dedication to the holiday is an extension of her love for her friends. Though she has different relationships with all the gals in her life, Leslie appreciates each one for who they are. From shopping with Donna to talking bureaucracy with her mother to sharing hopes and dreams with Ann, Leslie wants to uplift her friends just as they do her. The classic Galentine’s Day brunch is about celebrating ladies and lifting each other up.
Lady Bird
Lady Bird focuses on coming-of-age issues, including friendship and facing the whirlwind of life side-by-side. Lady Bird and Julie’s friendship isn’t perfect, nor is it overly dramatic. Though they fight and let boy troubles get in the way, the girls eventually realize that friendship is not focused solely on feelings or temporary drama. But when Lady Bird abandons Julie to focus on her relationship with Kyle, she tears a bond that was years in the making.
Healing true relationships is a part of the journey, and genuine friendships are worth fighting for. Lady Bird and Julie learn that growing up is best done with a stalwart friend by your side. Romance can be fickle, but the bonds of female friendships can last a lifetime. Lady Bird explores a variety of relationships from familial to romantic to platonic. However, it illustrates how the specific connection between girlfriends can become more robust even as we, ourselves, evolve.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: “Who Needs Josh When You Have A Girl Group?”
Third, we have Rebecca Bunch, Paula Proctor, and Rebecca’s girlfriends from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. In Season 2, Episode 6, Rebecca has her best friend meet her friend group in an attempt to form the ultimate girl squad. However, the mix goes awry when Rebecca tries to force the group into traditional gal-pal activities. Rebecca finds that while she enjoys the youth and energy, Valencia and Heather put out, she still needs Paula’s wisdom and steady support.
While we tend to hang out with people we relate to and have things in common with, not all of our friends are going to be the same. In fact, the diversity of our gal pals is something to be celebrated. Learning how to relate to your friends in ways that they will best appreciate (and vice-versa) is an intimate process. Paula and Rebecca’s steady chemistry help illustrate how friendships are vital not only when we’re young but also throughout our lives as we navigate our place in the world.
The Bold Type: “#TBT”
Watching The Bold Type helps put the ups and downs of young adult life into perspective. The friendship between Jane, Kat, and Sutton balances the intimacy of female friendships with the growth that we all experience in life. After meeting on the first day of employment at the women’s magazine “Scarlet,” the three share both the struggles and thrills of young millennials in the workplace. In “#TBT” (Season 3, Episode 6), the trio looks back at their friendship and all the trials, obstacles, and jubilations they have shared since day one.
The girls exemplify what Galentine’s Day is all about through troubles with dating, career changes, identity crises, and health scares. While being there in the tough times is an essential part of being friends, so is sharing the joys of life. Kat, Sutton, and Jane make each other a priority and are just as ready to be at each other’s side when Sutton has a miscarriage as when Jane scores her own vertical. The group guides each other through sticky situations and inspires confidence for the bold steps.
A League Of Their Own
Finally, we have A League Of Their Own. The classic baseball film shows the bonds we make as women and how that can lead not only to success but, more importantly, a lifelong system of support. Working together to defy gender norms and showcase their talents makes the Rockford Peaches one of the ultimate girl groups.
Learning how to unapologetically be the women we were meant to be and stand firm in our convictions is best done with a support group. Thus, nurturing the bonds of sisterhood both on and off the field only strengthens the Peaches. A girl group is more than just hanging out and having fun. The power of women coming together breaks stereotypes, creates positive change, and inspires the next generation.
The Spirit Of Galentine’s Day
Life is not meant to be lived alone, and our gal pals help shoulder our struggles while also partaking in our joys. These films and shows give us hope that our friendships are deeper than proximity. Our gal pals bring us happiness, companionship, and the knowledge that we are not alone. This Galentine’s Day, reach out to your friends and set meetups (virtual or in-person if safe) to remind one another how much we mean to each other.
Just as the ladies in the programs above relate to each other in different ways, we can get creative in showing our appreciation for our girls. Spending time writing them snail-mail letters, baking them their favorite treats, or even donating in their name to their charity of choice are all great ways to reach out in a meaningful way. Even through a pandemic, the bonds we share with our gal pals are some of the most important parts of our lives. Let’s make everyday Galentine’s Day!