Do You Know The Right Way To Love?: The Importance of Knowing Your Love Language

Being in love is one of the best feelings in the world, but did you know that the way people show and receive love varies from person to person? For instance, you may feel closest to your partner when you cuddle, hold hands, or receive a massage from them. That means that your primary love language may be touch. Your partner, on the other hand, may feel most loved when you cook for them or clean the entire house without them having to ask. One of their primary ways to best channel love may be through acts of service. Now, you can have more than one love language. And your love language may somewhat differ from that of your partner. But understanding how to show love to your partner for them to be the most receptive and vice versa all stems from great communication between the two of you. Take a look at the 5 love languages listed below:

1. Touch - The famous forehead kiss at just the right moment, putting your arm around her while you're Netflix and chilling, or rubbing his lower back while you wait in line at the grocery store are all ways to say "I love you" without actually speaking the words. Touch can be intimate without being sexual and still let your partner know how much you care.

2. Acts of Service -This love language is a big one for a lot of us. When you do something for your partner that they haven't had the time to get to or you knew that they needed it done you may get hit with the, "Aww babe, you really didn't have to, but thank you!" response. It may not mean much to other people, but I love when my boyfriend pumps my gas for me. I have no idea why I like that so much, but I do. Or when I'm returning home from a work trip and he volunteers to pick me up from the airport when in my mind, I'm find with hopping in a taxi. Acts of service, especially unexpected gestures, win big with me.

3. Quality Time - Ever sit with your guy or girl, doing nothing, and you're completely content? Your time is precious and it's something that once gone, you can't get back. Choosing how and with whom to spend your time may not seem like much, but it's a pretty big deal. Have you ever left work early to go to a doctor's appointment with your partner? Or scheduled a date night even though you know you're going to work a 60 hour week this week? Spending quality time with your partner is important, but the importance is magnified when you've gone out of your way to do so.

4. Words of Affirmation - These are positive words that encourage and uplift your partner. Did they just land that amazing job they had been stressing about? You praise them. Are they worried about passing an exam? You comfort them and tell them that they are intelligent and you know they'll do great. Do you send them "Good Morning Beautiful or Goodnight Handsome" texts everyday? All of these positive affirmations help boost your partner's confidence and they also let them know that you're always on their mind.

5. Receiving Gifts - This one may sound superficial, but it doesn't have to be. There's often a lot of thought and consideration that goes into buying a gift for someone. And I don't mean the tie that you give your father every father's day. Does your girl love to cook? A brand new multi-speed Kitchen Aid mixer is a dream kitchen appliance (and we all know it ain't cheap). What about experiences? Gifts don't have to be physical. My boyfriend and I took a ride in a hot air balloon for our five year anniversary this year which was experience I'll never forget. Or, don't spend any money at all. Homemade gifts are truly from the heart, especially since you took time to make them.

Now it's important to note that all of these are present and valued in any healthy relationship, some are just more receptive to one over another. It's also noteworthy to state that love languages are not exclusive to romantic relationships. That hug your child gives you before running off to school that gives you all the feels is also an act of love. What's your love language? Drop a line in the comments.

Keep Inspiring!

XOXO - Mechelle