Happy Galentine's Day, ladies! Let the party begin

Women, both single or married, like to toast female friendship on Galentine's Day. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Move over Friendsgiving. Galentine's Day is on the way.

Designating Feb 13 for women has endured since 2010, when Amy Poehler's Parks and Recreation character, Leslie Knope, declared the fictional holiday her favorite day of the year on the NBC show. "Ladies celebrating ladies," Knope explained of her Galentine's breakfast bash with friends.

Since then, women in real life have embraced the idea of gathering when Valentine's Day rolls around. Galentine's Day isn't just for Feb 13, and it isn't just for dateless, single women.

Jessica Gottlieb and Stefanie Pollard live in Los Angeles and will celebrate with a brunch for gal friends Feb 12.

"We're a couple of married ladies who do love our husbands but plan on celebrating Galentine's Day," says Gottlieb. "It was about women cherishing each other and our strengths, and knowing that we need one another for physical health, emotional stability and career success."

Kaila Fiske in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is multitasking this year, celebrating Feb 14 with her partner but reserving Feb 17 for dinner and a mass gals night with 11 girlfriends to see Fifty Shades Darker.

"Most of us are in relationships and we want an excuse to get together, just the ladies," she explains. "We want to celebrate ourselves."

Kim Terca lives in San Francisco and plans a destination Galentine's Day with a friend in Miami－in Havana.

"This year we're taking advantage of our freedom to run off and do whatever we want," she says. "Cheers to being single!"