A pair of Cobar pals are getting ahead of Valentine's Day and joining the throngs marking a new tradition - Galentine's Day on February 13.

Cobar resident Abby Fairfull had known Bridget Mackay’s mum a little bit through a mutual interest in horses growing up. 

When her first born was one she used go down to Cobar shops to buy things for him to play with and she just kept bumping into Bridget, and each time they talked, the conversations grew longer and deeper.

“I think each time I left those chats we had at the shops, I just felt better about the world,” Abby told the Western Plains App. “I thought gosh somebody understands me. I’m not alone here”.

There was something else she liked about Bridget. Bridget has always believed that when you meet someone for the first time you hug them and that's the start of giving them all your love and all your strength, and that is something Abby says has brought a lot to her life.

The friendship grew quickly. Visits to each other's houses started, became more frequent, then became almost daily and it's been that way now for over 15 years. If they don't see each other on any given day then there is a text message, and if there is nothing to say, then they exchange little pictures.

Abby and Bridget. Image: Abby Fairfull.

“We love to be around each other. She gives as much as I give. I just love the laughter and the craziness she brings to my life” Bridget said. ““I love her honesty and her words - her words are always right on par with what is going on”.

Abby says that when something happens she is distressed about, not only is Bridget able to listen, she has this ability to find good in whatever is happening also.

“She is a person with a positive outlook, she is such a happy person and such a happy person to be around.”

Abby and Bridget are two of many who will be enjoying a new tradition next week - Galentine’s Day, held on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, which celebrates platonic friendships, usually between women.

Abby and Bridget. Image: Abby Fairfull.

To spread the joy, Abby is the organiser of a special Galentine event this Saturday 11 February at the Pink Galah in Cobar where friends are given the opportunity to paint portraits of each other. 

Participants will get a step by step instruction on how to create a portrait they can keep and frame for later. 

Around 20 people have signed up to a day that Abby promises will hold plenty of laughter - something she and Bridget know all about it.

“We laugh about our kids and our husbands. Most recently we did yoga together - the hall was so overcrowded we had to basically share a mat and that led to us holding each other’s feet while we were doing the poses, and we just couldn't stop laughing throughout the whole session."

It sounds like there could be many more times like that to come.

“I don't have a sister. She is my sister and she will always be my sister,” Bridget said.

Enjoy your Galentine's Day.