11th Thankful Thursday: Love Languages

My mother just finished a "90 day mind and body transformation," in which she took classes that helped her learn how to take care of her body and how to be her very best self.

I love hearing what she learned. One of the most life changing lessons she has shared was about five different "love languages" that people speak.

The premise: everyone has a primary way in which they express their love. And for whatever reason, people tend to marry someone who speaks a love language different from their own. The languages are:

--words of affirmation

--quality time

--giving gifts

--service

--physical touch

Each is distinct. Each is meaningful. I encourage you to read Dr. Chapman's descriptions of them at http://www.5lovelanguages.com.

This opened up a world of understanding. I realized why 15 minutes of ping-pong with my littlest sister meant so much to her. I understood why my middle sister gives random hugs throughout the day. I understood that my grandpa expresses his love through meaningful gifts and sacrifice.

Once I understood what primary language my family members speak, I could think of many examples of how they expressed their love without ever saying "I love you."

I also understood why I nearly burst into tears while eating lunch with my mom at The Old Grist Mill: we had received a phone call in which I thought she was going to have to leave immediately (it all worked out, the Mommy-Daughter Time resumed and everything was fine).

My dad made an analogy: refusing to learn how to speak another's love language is like the Ugly American who refuses to acknowledge and learn another culture's language.

The result: no communication, unhappiness, frustration and anger.

Imagine yourself fluent in all five languages.

The result: healthy relationships, happiness, peace and fulfillment.

Have you had an experience where you learned how someone expressed their love other than through words?

This week: Identify what primary love language your family members speak. Then tell them "I love you" speaking their language.