By Kellie Evans
Valentine’s Day has long been associated with roses, restaurant bookings and romantic gestures, and across the Central West this Saturday, 14 February, love will be celebrated in many different — and equally meaningful — ways.
For some, it will be a night out with a partner, supporting local cafés, pubs and restaurants that are leaning into the Valentine’s rush with specials, shared plates and themed menus. For others, it will be something far simpler: a home-cooked meal, a movie on the couch, or an early night after a big week.
And then there’s Galentine’s Day — a growing favourite that celebrates friendship, connection and the women in our lives who show up time and again. From coffee catch-ups and long lunches to group chats buzzing with memes and plans, Galentine’s has become a reminder that love doesn’t have to be romantic to be real.
This year, I’ll be hosting my first Galentine’s dinner on Friday 13 February — intentionally timed to leave space for my beautiful friends to still enjoy Valentine’s Day itself on Saturday, should they choose. It feels like a fitting way to celebrate friendship without competing with romance, and a reminder that our calendars don’t need to be divided into “taken” and “single” lanes.
Importantly, Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples — and that’s something worth celebrating. Across our towns, many people are single by choice, newly single, happily independent, or simply in a different season of life. Valentine’s doesn’t need to be a reminder of what’s missing; it can be a moment to acknowledge self-worth, resilience and the quiet confidence that comes with knowing who you are.
There’s also a strong local angle to Valentine’s in regional communities. Whether it’s booking a table, buying flowers, choosing a locally made gift, or catching up over coffee, spending your “love dollars” locally helps support small businesses and keeps our town centres vibrant. Even the simplest purchase can make a meaningful difference.
In regional communities especially, connection takes many forms. It’s found in friendships forged through school gates, sporting clubs, volunteer groups and workplaces. It’s in the neighbour who checks in, the local business that knows your order, and the community events that bring people together week after week.
This Valentine’s Day, love in the Central West looks like support, friendship, laughter and shared experiences — whether that’s with a partner, a group of friends, or simply yourself.
And really, that’s something worth celebrating.
