What is your love language?

Ahh, love…as the song goes, find one hundred ways to show your loved ones how much you care.

According to The 5 Languages of Love by Gary Chapman, understanding your own love language and the language of the other person helps you to effectively communicate your love to them. The five languages mentioned in the book are quality time, words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service or devotion, and physical touch.

In whatever type of relationship, family members and friends expressing rather than repressing your love in a language that is easy to grasp and heartfelt will always have positive results and, better yet, reciprocated.

“My language of love is quality time. I have an eight-year-old grandson, Franklin, and he has been under my care since birth. The time that I give to him is my way of showing him how much I love him. Little things like bringing and fetching him from school, cooking for him, etc., all adds up and I cannot imagine not doing those things because I only want the best for him.”
—Ruby Pabalan, San Antonio

“Service …My acts of service to my husband is my way of showing him I love him after 30 years of marriage. As the saying goes, ‘Food is a way to a man’s heart’ and so I love nourishing him with my cooking.”
—Ellen Duran, Chalan Kanoa

“We celebrated our 12th anniversary last Feb. 2 and I always tell my husband ‘I love him forever’ to reassure him and that makes my language of love words of affirmation. Aside from words, I believe that you have to act it as well because words without actions is nothing. You have to mean what you say.”
—Lynie Cabrera, Kagman

“For me, it’s physical touch by giving my mother hugs as she always cares for me. I do spend a lot of time with her to show my affection but the best way for me to express my love is by giving her hugs. I know that brightens her day, especially after a long day of work. My Valentine’s Day message for my mom is, ‘Thank you, Mom, for taking care of me for the past 15 years. You have done so much and I love and appreciate what you have done and I will do my best to take care of you when I get older.’”
—Joseph Guoha, Saipan

“I tell my grandmother that I love her so that she knows and will not forget. She takes care of me, cooks my favorite food, and takes me anywhere she goes. I want her to be healthy always.”
—Jonathan L. Munez, San Vicente Elementary School