There are five love languages: acts of service, giving/receiving gifts, physical touch, quality time, and words of affirmation. Knowing your love language, as well as the love languages of the people around you, can be one of the healthiest things for your various relationships.
Typically, but not always, the love language you best receive is also the one you best give to others.
Those with acts of service as their love language will greatly appreciate when others do things for them to make their life easier.
Those with gifts as their love language crave material gifts; every gift, however big or small, is an amazing experience that truly lets them know they are loved.
Those with physical touch as their love language need a lot of physical affection. It's not so much about physical intimacy as it is simple but meaningful touches, such as hugs, high-fives, holding hands, etc.
Those with quality time as their love language will often desire to spend time with those they love. This is not just sitting and watching a movie; that is time together in the same room, but it is not quality time. These people want to be paid attention to, to know that someone cares and listens.
Those with words of affirmation as their love language feel very loved and empowered when they are told encouraging words. Depending on the person, this may or may not include compliments about his/her physical appearance; regardless, a few kind words can turn around someone's day who has this love language.
If you know me, it should come as no surprise that my top two that are about equal (one may be higher than the other depending on the day) are physical touch and words of affirmation. I appreciate all the love languages when they are extended to me, but physical touch and words of affirmation are incredibly important to me. I receive them the best and give them the most easily of all the love languages.
It's worth it to learn your love language(s) and those of the people you come in contact with. Learning to show people love in a way that you don't naturally show love can be a hard, long learning process, but it is worth it to help remind people of how loved they are. We all need that reminder every now and then.
