Most of us have probably heard of the "Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. These are five ways that people can express and feel love. This could be romantic love, friendship love, or even family love. I'll be talking about romantic love in this article, but feel free to use these ideas for friend or family activities too. These are just some ideas to help you find new ways to express your appreciation for the person you love. Without further ado:

1. Quality time.

The "5 Love Languages" website describes quality time as "giving the other person your undivided attention." This means putting your phone down and being 100% in the present. For this date, make sure to leave your phone behind and go somewhere that doesn't have any distractions. I would suggest having some questions written out on a piece of paper, finding a quiet spot where you two won't be bothered, and simply asking each other those questions. It could be about anything you want. The main thing is that you are both totally invested in each other and interested in what the other person has to say.

2. Physical touch.

Physical touch doesn't just mean holding hands and snuggling. It also doesn't have to mean making out. This could be something as simple as painting your girlfriend's hand. It's giving her a little physical contact, but it isn't what you would usually think to do. I would suggest a spa day! You can do face masks, foot baths, and even a foot massage. It's something innocent while still giving them physical affection.

3. Acts of service.

For this type of person, the best way to show you love them is to do something out of your way to make life easier for them. It could be doing a chore or task for them if they're busy. Turn that into a date! It may not sound like the most fun thing, but if they have a particular project coming up or something they need to do, do it together. Let's say they are working on some sort of craft or project, but they are super busy and don't have a whole lot of time to do it. You can sit down with them and have a little homework/project date. For example, I'm handmaking my Halloween costume, which will take a lot of time to do. If my boyfriend were to sit down and help me with it, that would mean a lot to me. He's taking time out of his schedule to help me with something that's been keeping me busy. Something as simple as that can make a difference for someone.

4. Gift giving.

If your boyfriend or girlfriend likes to receive gifts, even if it's just something you picked up for them on the way, then this is probably their love language. Handing them a little trinket that reminds them you were thinking of them is what makes them smile. Try taking them to their favorite store or a place you know they'll love and let them pick out a present for themselves. You can walk around and shop with them and make it a fun experience.

5. Words of affirmation.

I have to credit my mom for giving me this idea. If you're the type of person who likes poetry (or writing in general), you could write a poem or a quick story about the person you love. It can describe how you feel about them and how proud you are of them. You can meet up with your person and exchange the poems. Getting to read something that someone spent time writing about you that shows how much you mean to them can really make your day!

You can learn more about each love language and even take the quiz to find out what yours is on the website www.5lovelanguages.com. You can also get the app on your phone. I hope this little experiment helps you find new ways to express your affection. You can even come up with your own ideas for each language. Customize it to fit you and your favorite person. Have fun!