What is Your Love Language

                                           What is Your Love Language?

We are quickly approaching February 14^th which is dedicated for a day of showing others how you love them. It is called Valentine’s Day. There is no distinct date as to when the first Valentine’s Day first occurred and by whom, but there is one thing that all of the historian’s agreed upon was it is celebrated in mid-February and was named after St. Valentine. The Britannica Encyclopedia cited different theories and legends concerning Valentine’s Day. I am actually referencing the one about St. Valentine sending a greeting to his love interest while in a Roman jail in this post. I encourage you to do further research about this subject as well. Everyone need to know that they are loved. If no one has told you today that they love you, let me the first to say that I love you with the love of the Lord. There are several kinds of love: agape, storge, eros, and philio love. Love is a four-letter word, but so powerful in its execution. The bottom line about love is how we communicate it and how it is communicated back to us.

The five love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. It is an extremely popular book and teachings by Gary Chapman in 1992. It caught on very quickly and is still very relevant today. Love languages are divided into two categories. The first one is how you express love and the second one is how you receive love. Each one has their significant place in our lives.

The first love language is considered the primary love language. It is how you give or express love. The secondary is how you receive love.

Based on the 5-love languages listed above you must determine which one means more to you. Take for example if your significant others love language is gifts and you express it through affirmation it will not be as effective. You must identify how they receive love to make a greater impact. Identifying this is so important in the longevity of your relationship.

It is just as important for them to know what your secondary love language is. If they bring you gifts and you receive love best through quality time it will not make the best impact. Study your mate or just ask what their love language is. I believe you will make better strides in your relationship when both of you know what each other’s love languages are.

This is a great assessment for your children as well. It is good to know your children’s love language too. You may buy them gifts, and they are not being appreciative for your generosity. Their love language is quality time, and they would prefer to spend time with you instead. This may sound farfetched, but it has been known to happen. It is important to determine their love language so you can be effective in their life too.

I encourage you to read The Five Love Languages book. You will be amazed and discover that you may be missing one key element in your relationship and that is knowing your significant other or children's love language. I purchased the book and went to one of the author’s marriage retreats years ago and it was worth it. I encourage you to also express and receive love according to the way that you will benefit best from communicating your love languages. Happy Valentine's Day!!!