Red and pink heart-shaped balloons and tissue paper tied into bows covered the walls of Prep and Pastry on 2660 N. Campbell Ave. during a recent Galentine’s Day brunch.

Each table was adorned with a light pink table runner and pink and gold tableware. Scones, dossants, charcuterie and other snacks sat poised on three-tiered trays while restaurant patrons celebrated platonic love and friendship.

While Valentine’s Day is known as the holiday of love, where couples buy each other giant teddy bears, trade love notes and share kisses at the top of the ferris wheel, it can make single people feel especially lonely.

That is changing.

Prep and Pastry’s annual Galentine’s Day brunch, which started in 2021 was nearly sold out this year – evidence of the importance of non-romantic love.

Galentine’s Day serves as a reminder of how important friendship is among humans. People can experience immense mental health issues when going through life alone. 

“An objective lack of any kind of relationships is related to negative psychological and physical outcomes, such as an increased risk in depression, cardiovascular disease and even mortality,” said Amanda Bernal, graduate student and social and personality psychology faculty advisor at the University of Arizona.

Forming platonic relationships with others provides a sense of belonging and instills a strong social network which contributes to everyone’s well-being.

“Friends are very valuable in that benefits from the friendships are typically reciprocal, leading to benefits for both individuals involved in a friendship,” Bernal said. 

For many women, reclaiming Valentine’s Day as their own and prioritizing strong friendships in their lives has been empowering. 

Galentine’s day originated from the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” in 2010. Character Leslie Knope, played by actress Amy Poehler, introduced the idea of celebrating female friendship on the day before Valentine’s Day.

This concept gained traction over the years and is now almost as popular as the original holiday.

At Prep and Pastry this year, friends and families came together to celebrate their love, said Hannah Frisina, general manager at Prep and Pastry Campbell. 

For many, it was important to honor the bonds they have with people other than romantic partners.

“This is my first time celebrating Galentine’s day, so it’s extra special,” said Nancy Gastelum, who attended the brunch with her friend Cynthia Robles.

“Anytime we hang out, it’s always super positive,” said Robles, “It’s a different relationship than I have with others in my life.” 

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.