Knowing your partner's love language could strengthen your relationship. Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. She's also the former editor of Columbus Parent and has countless years of experience writing and researching health and social issues. The five love languages describe five ways that people receive and express love in a relationship. These are words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts.
Knowing your partner's love language and letting them know yours is a way to help you both feel loved and appreciated. Author and pastor Gary Chapman describes how to use these love languages to show your partner you care for them in a way that speaks to their heart.
Chapman's book "The 5 Love Languages" was first published in Before writing the book, Chapman began to notice patterns in couples he was counseling. He realized that the couples were misunderstanding each other's needs. That led him to come up with five love languages, or ways that people in relationships express love. They are:. When this is someone's primary love language, they enjoy kind words and encouragement, uplifting quotes, love notes, and cute text messages.
You can make this person's day by complimenting them or pointing out what they do well. Someone with this love language values your full presence when you are together. They feel most loved if you give them your undivided attention and spend time together in meaningful and interactive ways.
This means putting down the cell phone, turning off the computer, making eye contact, thoughtfully interacting, and actively listening. A person with physical touch as their primary love language feels love through physical affection.
