Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, has identified (you guessed it) 5 love languages; acts of service; words of affirmation; receiving gifts; quality time; and physical touch. Everyone can understand all of them but everyone has a preferred way to give and receive love.
My granddaughter favours quality time above all else. She likes the rest of them well enough but spending quality time with her really tickles her fancy. She just eats it right up. Because I live in a different province I don’t see her as often as I like so I usually bring her a creative activity we can do together so then quality time, not the gift, becomes an act of love in a way she understands. She also loves to cuddle nearly as much.
My daughter understands love through words of affirmation. She has endured toxic behaviour from her father, my second ex husband, and me most of her life. She is in a position where words of affirmation and reassurance are vital to her understanding she is loved. That may change over time as she grows and changes herself.
My preferred methods of communicating and receiving love are through acts of service, words of affirmation and quality time (I did the quiz on the website linked on this page). This knowledge has empowered me to build better relationships with others and myself.
You can learn more at The 5 Love Languages website.
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My Phoenix Rising 