Have you ever been in love? Then, it’s likely that you already know how important it is to understand how your partner likes to receive love. This applies to not only romantic partners, but also close friends and family members. In order to give and receive love most effectively, it’s important to learn how others like to receive it—and learning their love language is the best way to do this! Today, we’ll go over the five different love languages and how they can help you improve your relationships with everyone around you.
Words of Affirmation
Someone who feels most loved when others say nice things to them. If you feel that way, let your partner know by telling them something you appreciate about them. Make sure to explain what it is specifically that made you notice it. Instead of just saying I like how well-behaved our kids are, say something more specific, like It makes me so happy to see how respectful and kind you are with our children. That lets me know how much you really care about us. You may not think it’s a big deal, but it can be huge for your partner if they want words of affirmation as their primary love language.
Physical Touch
This person will always crave a hug, a high-five, or a pat on the back. Physical touch is important to them because it shows you care about them. Every time you come home from work, if they’re around, don’t hesitate to lean in for a quick hug—even if it’s brief and uncomfortably awkward. If you spend time with them frequently (at work or at home), show that physical connection by touching their arm as you pass each other in your house. Always ask permission before initiating any physical contact though—if they’re not into it, then don’t do it! It doesn’t make them feel loved; it makes them feel awkward.
Quality Time
Your love language might be quality time. If you speak quality time, nothing says, I love you, like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person means setting aside distractions and really listening. Quality time lovers feel most loved when their partner gives them their undivided attention and total presence. They want to spend ample time together doing whatever it is that they both enjoy doing: going out on a date night, taking a long walk or simply sitting on the couch together at home—they just want to be together without any distractions and with plenty of conversation.
Receiving Gifts
Some people like to receive gifts. Not because they’re materialistic, but because they find joy in receiving something special from someone they care about. If that sounds like you and your significant other, don’t be shy about letting them know what type of gift makes you feel loved and appreciated. Ideally, it’ll be an item that you really want but would never buy for yourself (or a set of items). You can check out our post here for ideas on how to let your partner know their preferred love language without hurting their feelings.
Acts of Service
In an effort to make you happy, some people may try to buy your love through actions, such as doing chores or favors for you. This can become a problem if they do it expecting something in return. Find out what makes these people feel most loved and focus on speaking their love language more often. The best part about recognizing someone else’s love language is that it gives you more ways to show them how much you care, too!
