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Which Valentine’s Do I Like More?

Madeline Thornton Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

So, I have gone through Valentine’s Day in relationships and out of them, and personally I prefer the ones with my friends, Galentine’s if you will. Both have pros and cons, but I believe that sometimes the biggest con of all comes from the fact that they have a huge buildup and expectations for relationships. A breakup soon after can also lead to a rough Valentine’s Day the next year.

2022- I had Valentine’s this year with my friends and family. My mom got me some chocolates and my friends gave each other little cards. It was a good year. Nothing bad about but I was sad that I didn’t have a boyfriend. Plus, I had broken up with an ex about a month before, so I saw what I could have had and didn’t.

2023- My first Valentine’s Day in a relationship. We said no gifts, but he got me one anyway which made me happy and I was very grateful for that, but I wanted the dinner with flowers, not a candle and some pens. But my cousin did give me a pink Llama this year and I still sleep with it on my bed. I can’t wait to get the Snapchat memories of it and remember the happy times.

2024- I was still with my ex, but he told me on Monday the 12th that he wanted to go on a break. We had been struggling with our relationship ever since I moved schools. I have realized in my interpersonal relations class that lots of relationships break up or suffer due to distance, not that 15 minutes is that far. I was at my old job which I hated but it was okay because I was making money even though I was sad and wished to be at a nice restaurant dressed up. I had even planned out a whole outfit a month earlier.

2025- This year I will spend it in the lounge of my college dorm hall with friends that I have been wishing for since 2022. So, while I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not going on a fancy date and getting flowers, I am way happier than I have been in the last three years, and for that I am grateful.

Now, I am a little jealous of the girls going on dates, and I am not dissing you; I am beyond happy, and I hope it’s everything you hope for with the day. But personally, for me, my friends have done more than any man has, making me happier to put effort into them than into any man who would do a bare minimum or copy a friend because he doesn’t care. I mean would any man make sure to walk around campus the day you have a certificate tour to make sure you don’t feel nervous? M friends did and that put a smile on my face that I haven’t had in years. I love them so much!

So, I would pick Galentines over Valentine’s because I have gotten more love and happiness from those moments, so Galentines it is!

Madeline Thornton is the Big and Little Coordinater for the St. Bonaventure Her Campus Chapter. She writes pieces that focus on girlhood, campus life, reading and a multitude of other interests. These pieces will range from fun and lighthearted, to some more thought provoking and heart tugging. She hopes to grow the sisterhood bonds with the Big and Little Program as well as her creativity within her writing.

Madeline is currently a sophomore Psychology major with a minor in Business Administration minor. Madeline not only spends a lot of time dedicated to Her Campus, but also around campus with being a Student Ambassador, working in St. Bonaventure’s Financial Aid office, a Resident Assistant, and being a part of multiple other clubs: Empower, Book Club, Psychology Club, Women in Business and ENACTUS.

Away from her academics, Madeline spends her time reading, working out, and hanging out with her friends and family. She has two cats, Clara and Caliope. She loves anything that could be put into a romance genre, from books, movies and more! Lastly, she loves to grab a sweet treat, her favorite ice cream is Grasshopper Pie, it tastes better than the name, she promises! She works at an ice cream shop over the summer, so she will never say no to a sweet treat!