In our last post in this series, we look at Receiving Gifts; the final love language in Dr. Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages. In receiving gifts, we express or receive love in tangible ways that include small gestures of giving. It really is about thoughtfulness; we feel loved when we know that our partner was thinking about us and went out of their way to show us.
Receiving gifts can include something that you mentioned you wanted, to a spontaneous purchase (such as your favourite treat), or showing up at work to take you out to lunch. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant – what matters in this love language is how considerate the gesture is. When we come home to a thoughtfully placed gift on the counter, or get surprised with a coffee when we wake up, we feel the effects of forethought; therefore feeling cared for.
We have now explored the 5 love languages: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Physical Touch and Receiving Gifts. By now, we can have some type of idea as to what our love languages are – a reminder that we can have more than one – giving us an idea of how we feel most cared for. This can also allow us to state our needs to our partner, so that they understand how we best receive their love.
It is important; however to also know what our partner’s love languages are as we often give to our partners what we want to receive, when in reality, we need to be expressing love to them in their love languages.
Dr. Chapman’s 5 love languages are a wonderful reminder that relationships require investment. If you would like further exploration into the love languages, consider buying Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” or go to his website where there is a quiz you can take to help you identify your love languages: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/5-love-languages/
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