Not all women are affected by Valentine’s Day like they are pictured in television, romance novels and movies.

In this year’s movie “Valentine’s Day,” Jennifer Garner angrily destroys an anti-Valentine’s Day piñata at an anti-Valentine’s Day party, and Jessica Biel cries about being alone on Valentine’s Day while shoveling chocolate into her mouth.

Images like these in our popular culture simply further the misconception that every girl is gaga for Valentine’s Day, and that any girl who’s alone on this “special” day is devastated and believes there must be something wrong with her. That idea is far from true.

There are some women who support the misconception about women and Valentine’s Day. Not only do they love Valentine’s Day, but if they don’t have a date, they may become extremely depressed and even break down to friends, family or coworkers while venting their emotional issues.

There are many other girls who are the opposite end of the spectrum. They could care less about whether or not they have a date for Valentine’s Day and may prefer not to do anything that day, even if they do have a significant other. It’s just another day to them.

The majority of girls seem to lie somewhere in the middle. For them, Feb. 14 is just another day. They may go out for Valentine’s Day with their significant other, or even go out before or after the day, but if they’re single, there’s no problem.

Feb. 14 is nothing special, just an excuse for girls to be spoiled by their love interests or spouses, which isn’t a bad thing, and for couples to spend some quality time together.

For couples who spend the majority of their time sitting at home watching TV, or for pairs who don’t express how much they care for each other very often, Valentine’s Day is an excellent excuse to break out of the norm.

Whether the couples go out on Feb. 14, or if they go out to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a different day, it’s the time together and the celebration of the relationship that’s important, not the reason for it.

But that’s what Valentine’s Day is: an excuse. And in our extremely busy society where even college students may find themselves too busy to go out with friends, an excuse is exactly what we need.

An excuse to pamper our loved ones, give them presents and spend a night out. Whether it’s a friend, spouse, love interest or someone else, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to show someone that you care about them.

For people who don’t show their love or appreciation for their loved ones every day, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time.