Galentine’s Recap
As promised, here’s my recap of my favorite night of the year—our annual Galentine’s Party!
Six years ago, my roommate (who also happens to be my best friend) and I decided to host a Galentine’s movie night. To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You had just come out, so we planned an evening full of all things girlhood—cozy blankets, way too many snacks, and a room packed with our favorite people.
Now, our apartment is… tiny. Like, very tiny. But that didn’t stop us. With a guest list pushing 30, we embraced the chaos, moved the couches back, and created a giant slumber-party-style pallet with pillows and blankets—truly stuffing everyone in. And honestly? That’s part of what makes it so special.
Living in a big city like Dallas, you meet so many incredible women—truly inspiring single women. Over the years, this party has become more than just a fun tradition; it’s our way of celebrating them. It’s a space to honor the friendships that shape us and to express gratitude for the amazing women in our lives. Each year brings a new mix of guests, thanks to one semi-sad but firm boundary: single gals only. That means some friends who’ve attended in the past have since “graduated” off the guest list (and yes, a few have begged for an exception—LOL). But the exclusivity is part of the fun.
One of my favorite parts of planning is curating the guest list. While we always have to make a few tough cuts (sorry, married friends), there are also exciting additions every year—a sweet reminder of how God continues to provide relationally. I love inviting women I’ve recently met but want to know better. This year, a few of those new invites included women from my book club, and I was excited for them to experience our tradition!
Now—onto the party details! This year was extra special because a friend generously offered to host at her house. At first, I worried we’d lose the cozy slumber-party feel, but with our ever-growing guest list, space (and parking) were becoming real concerns. After doing a walk-through a couple of weeks before, all my reservations disappeared. The space was perfect.
A massive sectional, plenty of room for a giant pallet, and all the space we needed for decorations, snack stations, and mingling—it was a dream. And the best part? This year was a team effort. Our friend not only offered her home, but also let us use her decorations and helped set everything up. The extra hands made all the difference, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
The snack spread at this party is always unapologetically sweet-heavy. A tower of powdered donuts is tradition (because obviously), and a variety of candy is a must. This year, I finally tried Nerd Clusters for the first time, and honestly? Life. Changing. I also made puppy chow—a treat I usually save for Christmas—but it felt right for the occasion. Several friends brought homemade cookies, and every single one was a hit!
My best friend was on a mission to simplify some of the prep this year, so she ordered Chick-fil-A nuggets. They came in heart-shaped trays, which felt like a little love letter from Dan Cathy himself. Waiting for everyone to arrive was almost painful because the nuggets smelled so good, lol.
Decorating the snack table is one of my favorite parts of party prep. This year, we jumped on the trend of making oversized bows out of plastic tablecloths and hanging them on the wall—super easy, inexpensive, and adorable. Our Friend Katy arranged the flowers for the tables. She has a serious gift for that kind of thing, and it made the night feel extra special.
One of the best parts of the evening was a stand-up comedy set from one of our friends. She opened the night with “Rating the Dumb Things People Have Said to Me as a Single Woman,” and let me just say—she understood the assignment. So many laughs. So many “me too” moments. Dating these days is rough, y’all.
For our movie, we watched The Wedding Planner, which was equal parts nostalgic and hilarious to rewatch. There was plenty of commentary, a little friendly roasting (Matthew McConaughey with bleach-blonde hair... a choice), and just general appreciation for an early 2000s rom-com moment. Afterward, we swapped a few dating horror stories and kept the conversation going until people started heading home.
Honestly, this year’s party was one of my favorites. There have been a couple of years where the movie flopped, but I think sticking with a rom-com classic was the right call. I loved sitting back and taking it all in- watching new friendships and connections form throughout the night.
I left feeling overwhelmingly grateful. Grateful for the incredible women in my life—women who are navigating life’s disappointments and joys with grace, staying true to the Lord, and courageously pursuing their passions. Nights like these remind me just how special it is to walk alongside each other in all of it!
Can’t wait to see what we come up with next year! <3
