Friendship. Best friends. A pal. Palentine's Day has started to take off in the U.K. Of course, it began, like a lot of similar days, as a marketing technique, but really there is nothing wrong in that. It wouldn't have gained any traction if it didn't resonate.Friendships are key to a long life. We don't have to have a party every day (heaven forbid), but arranging a meetup to chat about the things that amuse, worry, or have affected us is vital to our wellbeing.

So let's have that day when we can connect with each other in a celebratory way. Let's share an experience with the friends who are always there for us. The Head of Everything at the Indytute has a very tight group. Friends that have been with her through thick and thin from school. There were about nine of them when I last counted, so forgive me, girls, if I have left one of you out.

Her husband, too, has friends that have been in his life forever. They connect through the good and the bad times. It's not a bromance. It's better than that. They are in touch with each other's lives. There is a connection. Pals are there for different things at different times. The ones to get drunk with, the ones to go on holiday with, the ones to gossip with. Each can fulfill a different space in your life, each one as relevant as another.

So Palentine's Day is a reminder to look out for your crew. Your mates. The ones that appear in the photographs. Choose a day, mark the calendar, and gather. This isn't about cards and garage flowers; it is about getting together to share another good time - and goodness me - isn’t that what The Indytute is all about?