Courtesy of Donnetta Monk By Donnetta Monk ·Updated February 10, 2026 /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

“What about your friends?” isn’t just my favorite ’90s song. Almost 33 years later, the TLC lyrics still encapsulate the difference between surface-level and meaningful friendships. With Galentine’s Day in just a few days, I skipped the usual Pinterest-curated celebrations, which often drain me more than they ful>Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel.

I love a girls’ night out, but this year I wanted emotional intimacy rather than flashy gestures of love. I was craving honest conversations, stillness, and undivided attention. This Galentine’s Day staycation encouraged my friend and I to pause and let beauty rituals deepen our bond.

According to Vogue India, in 2025, best friends became the new boyfriends. “…friendships are receiving the kind of long-term intention once reserved exclusively for romantic partners: friends are living or buying homes together, opening joint bank accounts and throwing platonic wedding ceremonies to formalise their commitment.”

We often prioritize nurturing intimacy with a romantic partner, while forgetting platonic relationships deserve care in a similar way. Commitment to someone—from sharing our true selves, intentions, fears, and passions to finding connection