For many years Valentine’s Day has been a day when couples all over the world express their love in multiple different ways. The holiday has expanded to also express affection to family and friends. The five different love languages describe the way that people express and receive love. 

The five love languages first made an appearance in the 1992 book, “The 5 Love Languages,” by Gary Chapman. In the book, Chapman goes into detail about the five general ways that people express and experience love, which are called the love languages. The five languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch. 

Words of affirmations:

Words of affirmation as a love language are words that communicate love, appreciation and respect for other people. Compliments and words of encouragement don’t have to be said out loud; they can also be written down. Some examples of this love language can include letting a person know that they’re doing a great job, affirming them that they’re cared about or letting them know that they have support. 

Acts of service:

Acts of service as a love language can best be described as doing something for a particular person that they would enjoy. This can be something as little as filling up their car’s gas, watering their plants or cooking their favorite meal. Some other examples of this love language include doing the dishes, taking care of a person when they aren’t feeling well or putting a note in with their lunch.

Receiving gifts:

Receiving gifts as a love language can be described as feeling or demonstrating love with tangible items. A person with this love language might cherish these gifts, big and small, more than others do. Some examples of this love language include buying flowers, making a playlist or picking up a favorite drink for someone. 

“I buy my wife flowers every two weeks to show her that I care,” says Mr. Powell, one of Trinity’s science teachers.

Quality time:

Quality time as a love language often gets confused with spending a deal of time with someone. Though, quality time is actually about how that time is spent together. The activity itself doesn’t matter, but how a person stays focused and the attention itself is what does. A few examples of this love language are starting a new book or TV series together, cooking together or doing a puzzle or board game together. 

Physical touch:

Physical touch as a love language means that a person often prefers physical expressions of love over verbal compliments or gifts. It is a great nonverbal communication to express love to someone. Some examples of physical touch are holding hands, hugging or offering them a massage.  

“Physical touch is a good affirmation of showing someone that you care about them,” says Junior Melena Maglietta. 

By learning the love languages of the people that are important in one’s life, it helps understand how they need to feel appreciated. This quiz at 5lovelanguages.com  can help others discover their primary love language, what it means, and how it can be used to connect with loved ones. Happy Valentine’s Day from the Hiller Staff, have a love-filled day!