For eight years, Valentine's Day was strictly reserved for my then-boyfriend.
Year after year, he made the holiday one to remember with expensive gifts and exquisite dinners. (No more O'Charley's after 2008 ha!) In our eighth year, that relationship came to a screeching halt due to us growing apart and, for the first time in nearly a decade, I spent February 14th alone. It was traumatic but also eye-opening. In my loneliness, I realized that there was an unwavering love that will last forever and it wasn't from a man.
My girlfriends.
My friends were there for the rise and fall of that relationship and they did an amazing job of putting me back together after my heart was shattered.
Whether I am boo'd up or not, my friends will always be down to ride, no matter the occasion. This high-impact holiday can have you deep-sea diving in your feelings if you recently experienced a breakup or the loss of a loved one. In those moments, it's important to remember that this day is meant to celebrate ALL love. It may feel like the spotlight is on you when you're single on Valentine's Day with having to explain it every 30 minutes but there's a solution. Turn Valentine's Day into Galentine's Day!
Galentine's Day Ideas
Check out some fun tings you can do with the lovely ladies that never leave your side by clicking through the gallery below:
1.Girls Night In
Grab some of your favorite chick flicks or log into your Netflix account, and enjoy a girls' night in snuggled on the couch with the women who know you best while wearing some fly onesies.
2.Sip & Stroke
Every girl enjoys any activity that involves a nice bottle of bubbly. You'll also leave with some nice decor to add to your home. Check out places like Pinot's Palette, Bottle & Bottega, Color Me Mine, and Booze and Nudes for events that will be perfect for you and the girls.
3.Work It Out
With places like SoulCycle all over the country, grab your baeFF and burn some calories. Let's get that revenge body completely snatched!
4.Mani-Pedi Date
As women, we love to get pampered, and going to the nail salon is one of our favorite ways to do that. Try a new nail color to spice things up.
5.Couple of BaeFF Massages
Listen. Massages are the answer to everything. Head to a luxury spa to let a masseuse help you let go of all of your stress and worries.
6.The ULTA-Mate Makeover
Have you been wanting to makeover your look or learn some beauty tricks? Ulta is a great place to shop for new beauty products and learn ways to change up your aesthetic.
7.Bar Crawl
Sometimes you need to get out on the scene and delight in a beer with your homegirls. We are sure that some of the poppin' neighbrohoods in your city will have specials at bars to ensure a night of fun.
8.Thelma & Louise Adventure
Whether you want to go skydiving or take a day road trip to another city, this pick was made for the spontaneous besties.
9.Wine Tasting
Groupon has some bomb deals and Tiffany Haddish has been trying to put y'all on game. Expand your palette by indulging in different types of wine.
10. "Do You" Dinner
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Forget counting calories and coordinate a nice dinner for your closest friends. Treat yourself to a night on the town with your favorite girls at a restaurant you might have been saving for date night for future bae. You won't regret it.
11. Karaoke
Let's take singing in the shower to another level by belting out your favorite Beyonce anthem in a room full of strangers. Hint, it's even more fun when you've had a couple of drinks.
12. Get Matching Tattoos
Make a memory that will literally last forever in the form of matching tattoos that are symbolic of your friendship in nature.
13. Game Night
We all love a good game of Black Card Revoked. There are so many board and card games to choose from. If those aren't an option for you and your crew, you can even play games on your phone like Heads Up.
14. Cooking Class
Spend the night learning how to make some delicious dishes that you can show off when you host a dinner.
What are you doing with your girls for Galentine's Day?
- 6 Dope Ideas For An Unforgettable Girls' Night ›
- It’s National Best Friends Day! Make Sure To Celebrate Your Bestie ›
- Grab Your Girls For These Galentine's Day Date Ideas ›
RELATED
One new fun fact we learned was that Nicole was married and Boris was also in a relationship. That didn’t bother Boris though because when you know, you know.
“It started getting tricky when the second year, second season [of Soul Food], I think, when the whole entire crew was over us. The whole crew was like, ‘Y’all mfs, you better get that together because we know. Are you guys blind?’”
He went on to say, “Then one day I walked in a trailer and I said to her, ‘By the way, we are gonna be married with two kids one day.’ And I just walked out. That didn’t go over very well. She was mad. She was mad for three weeks. But think about it—why was she mad though? Why was she mad? Because she was right. If it was just a joke to her, she would’ve just laughed and moved on.”
They decided to take a break from each other over the summer after Soul Food wrapped. But the universe had other plans, just two weeks later, they found themselves working together again on the set of Brown Sugar in New York.
Together, they’ve navigated parenthood, launched business ventures, and become advocates for health and wellness, all while keeping their connection strong. Their journey is a beautiful reminder that true love thrives on teamwork, trust, and a shared vision for the future.
The 'Soul Food' cast members in 2000: Darrin Henson, Rockmond Dunbar, (back row) Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa Williams, (middle row) Malinda Williams and Aaron Meeks (foreground)
Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
2000:
First Meeting: Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe met on the set of the Showtime series Soul Food, where they played on-screen love interests. Their chemistry both on- and off-screen sparked a real-life romance. During his interview with Jemele Hill, he said, “When I first got there, I was the newbie. It was my first job. Super excited, super nervous. And she was unbelievable—actress on stage, movies, TV, everything. But she really embraced me. She was super nice to me. I remember that—super heartwarming and nice.”
He continued, “She really helped me a lot—breaking down the scripts, explaining to me what was going on. I had a million questions. When I read the script, half the stuff I didn’t understand, right? Because there were colloquialisms, there were references to old TV shows that I’d never seen in my life. So I would always come to her and ask her about certain things that I was supposed to say, and I didn’t know what it meant.”
2005:
Engagement: Boris proposed to Nicole, marking a significant step in their relationship.
Marriage: The couple tied the knot on May 21, 2005, in an intimate ceremony in Gundelfingen, Germany, Boris's homeland. Kodjoe and Parker exchanged vows in his hometown of Gundelfingen, Germany, in 2005 at a 900-year-old venue. They told People, “We walked from the church to his Oma's house, and it was literally like we were Hansel and Gretel. I thought I was in a storybook.” The newlyweds arrived at the church in a horse and carriage donning traditional German garb.
First Child: The couple welcomed their first child, Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe, who was born with spina bifida. Her condition inspired their advocacy for health awareness.
2006:
Advocacy Work: Boris and Nicole became active in raising awareness about spina bifida and supporting families with children who have special needs. “We have gone through so many different emotional levels with Sophie,” Boris told PEOPLE. “We had the fear of her dying to paralysis. All kinds of different monsters attacked us.” The couple's personal journey led them to establish the Sophie's Voice Foundation.
The organization's mission is to increase awareness about spina bifida and generate financial support for a groundbreaking new surgical procedure trial.
2007:
Second Child: Their son, Nicolas Neruda Kodjoe, was born, completing their family. In 2015, Boris celebrated his baby boy on Instagram saying, “You brighten up the sky for us every single day. When God sought me out to be your dad he blessed me with so much love and light. I'm honored and excited to be in your presence and to witness the evolution of Nico.”
2010s:
Power Couple Status: Nicole and Boris became known as a Hollywood power couple, balancing their thriving careers with family life and public appearances. They often shared insights into their marriage and parenting on social media and in interviews. The Real House Husbands of Hollywood alum shared this advice, “[Treat] your wife like she's still your girlfriend. You have to water the plant every day, not just once a week. [Give her] surprises, little gifts, notes, texts, flowers. Just little things, but do them consistently."
Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe in 2010.
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage
2015:
10th Wedding Anniversary: The couple celebrated a decade of marriage, frequently sharing their gratitude for each other in public forums.
To celebrate, Nicole shared a love letter in German (that we have translated in English) to her forever love:
You are EVERYTHING
Corinthians said it would be.
Patient
Kind
Free of envy
Does not boast
Humble
Not easily angered
Keeping no record of wrongs.
You protect, trust and persevere.
You are EVERYTHING your fans think you are.
Ridiculously fine.
With clothes.
Without.
Takes care of his kids.
Good to his wife.
Respects his Mama.
Handles his business.
You are EVERYTHNG I ever hoped for
Strong.
Deep.
Kind.
Connected to his Spirit.
Funny.
Smells good. (heyy)
Travel companion
Focused on what matters.
Provider.
Good father.
King.
Together we have filled a decade with
Laughter and adventure,
Tears and trials,
Kids and chaos,
Deep connections and communication breakdowns,
Fried Chicken and schnitzel…
Holding each other up and having each other’s back all along the way.
I am so blessed to call you my husband for these past 10 years
and I am so ready for 10 more.
Truly, Madly, Deeply, Your Nicole.
2018:
Fitness Venture: Nicole and Boris launched KOFIT, a wellness app focused on fitness and healthy living, showcasing their shared passion for holistic health. Nicole and Boris Kodjoe's fitness app aims to help families prioritize health and wellness without sacrificing precious time. The app offers quick and easy exercises and meditations that can be completed in as little as five minutes per day, making it accessible for busy families.
The app features instructional videos led by the fit couple themselves, along with contributions from Boris' brother Pat, a certified personal trainer, and his wife, a seasoned yoga practitioner. The Kodjoe-Parker children also make appearances in the app, adding a fun and engaging element for families to enjoy together.
2019:
In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe expressed their admiration for each other. “He's exactly who his persona is, kind, loves being a husband and father. An incredible human being who thinks of others. He's just authentically good.” Boris added, "She's drop-dead, smashingly gorgeous and sexy. She's intelligent. She's confident. The fact that she's so comfortable with who she is, that to me is everything."
Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, and family in 2019.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for City Year Los Angeles
2020:
Lockdown Life: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple’s humorous social media posts about their relationship resonated with fans. Nicole jokingly complained about Boris not flirting with her, sparking a viral discussion about romance in long-term marriages.
2022:
Marriage Wisdom: They shared their secrets with Ebonyto keeping the spark alive in their relationship after nearly two decades, emphasizing communication, mutual respect, and adaptability. The couple attributes “kissing for no reason, surprise daycations, and spiritual check-ins” as tried-and-true tips for keeping the fire alive in your relationship throughout all of the chaos.
2023:
In February 2023, the couple revitalized Gymwrap, Parker's athleisure brand. Originally conceived by the actress years prior as a solution for workout headbands, the brand has since expanded under Parker and Kodjoe's leadership to include a wider range of accessories, jackets, tops, and leggings.
"I admire her and her brain for how creative she is and the ideas that she comes up with. I'm in awe when I just watch her navigate these kinds of environments," Boris shared with PEOPLE. The family collaborated to relaunch the brand, with Sophie contributing her production and photography skills.
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Featured image by Kevin Tachman/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR