Love is a beautiful thing. It can make you feel on top of the world and like all the love songs are just for you and that your partner is the best thing to happen to you since sliced cheese.
But how do you really know if your partner loves you? Do you like if they tell you constantly? Or if they hold your hand? Or if they give you flowers and chocolate unexpectedly?
Well, this could all have to do with your love language. Gary Chapman says there are five languages in his book, The 5 Love Languages. These five love languages are receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service (devotion), and physical touch.
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You could speak one or all of them, or yours could be very different from your partner’s, but the important thing is that you recognise that they could be different and that, in spite of that, you still know how to communicate your love in a way that shows your partner you love them.
So we asked our W24 readers to tell us some of the ways their partners do things for them that shows them love, and this is what they had to say:
He cares about my well being. If I'm sick or tired or sad, he'll make sure I have food to eat, medication to take and / or a shoulder to cry on, all from the comfort of my bed.
— This is a Sham (@Shamz04) June 18, 2018
Sending me cartoons where the girl is funny, weird and loving then saying "It's you" also making sure I get sushi at least once a month ????
— Kat (@katdomingoz) June 18, 2018
my love makes sure that I've taken my meds and have eaten. He lets me be overly affectionate in public even though he's incredibly shy. We say I love you about 5 times a day. https://t.co/1MfhSiS7tC
— You can call me Carmz (@Carmzjw) June 18, 2018
I'm not a morning person. Since I moved in with my husband 7 months ago, he's brought me breakfast in bed every single day.
— Sam-Junipero (@imogenjayy) June 18, 2018
2eggs ,2toast ,a cup of tea.
If he leaves before I wake up he puts my food in the oven and leaves my robe and slippers next to me coz our kitchen is cold https://t.co/HxLauXz04f
He goes to bed before me so sometimes I write him little notes and stick them around the house at night so he can find them while he's doing his morning routine.
— Sam-Junipero (@imogenjayy) June 18, 2018
The first time he didnt find a couple of them because I placed it at my eye level instead of his????I do better now?? pic.twitter.com/e1sl6nsggT
I get coffee in bed every morning. He cooks and he tells me every night he loves me before we go to sleep. Also I just know he cares because I feel it in the way he treats me.
— Karen Dunlop (@kambabe) June 18, 2018
So incredibly sweet, right?
If you’re still not sure if what you’re doing is right way to show your partner your appreciation, then you and your partner could take this quiz to figure out what your love language is and then use one of the ideas below to make your partner see that you love them.
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If their love language is receiving gifts
You could splurge on expensive jewellery, yes, but for when it’s just an ordinary week day and you’re not made of money, you could buy them some flowers, or a chocolate or a second hand copy of their favourite book. Something small is still appreciated.
If their love language is quality time
Then set aside time that is just for the two of you alone. Especially if you’ve had a hectic week where you don’t get to see each other and there’s all the admin of work, etc. you could take a day off work and have a pajama day where you watch movies and veg, or take a day trip somewhere just the two of you. If you’re pressed for time though, take an hour or two for a date on your own or just to sit and talk.
If their love language is words of affirmation
Write them little notes that you leave on the bathroom mirror or put it in their lunchbox. Stop them in the middle of something and just tell them that they mean something to you, or send them a test in the middle of the day to tell them you love them and that they’re amazing.
If their love language is acts of service
Take out the rubbish without being asked, do the dishes even if it’s their turn, take their car for a car wash when it gets dirty. Or do something for them you know they hate doing.
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If their love language is physical touch
Hug them a lot. Touch them when you’re talking to them. Hold their hand when they’re least expecting it. Surprise them by initiating sex at a different time and/ or place than usual. Stop at a random place and give them a kiss.
How do you show your partner you love them? Tell us about it onFacebook or Twitter
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