A number of people recommended the book "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman to me, and it is a great read. It’s mostly for the “married and forever always” couples, since the author, a couple's therapist, deals a lot with married couples that he uses for examples. However, those who are in long-term relationships will also find it a pleasant read and well worth your time. It’s basically a book to help those who have been with each other and who have expressed their love for each other but want to know what more they can do to strengthen their relationship.
The first love language Chapman discusses is “Words of Affirmation.” This love language is super important because it can be implemented for couples who are close and who are living together, or by couples who live far away from each other and are going through a long distance phase. Words of affirmation refers to saying things like, “Thank you for picking up some dinner for us tonight, babe, I appreciate it.” It can also mean saying how well your significant other takes care of you, thanking them and saying that they’re so good at what they do.
I like to take this love language and apply it to my life by striving to tell my boyfriend “I love you” before I go to sleep and after talking to him on the phone. At basically every point where I know I won’t be talking to him for a while, I’ll say “I love you.” It’s a simple message with a powerful meaning. We don’t currently live together and we have about 300 miles of distance between us, so even though I can applaud him for doing something wonderful for me, it won’t mean the same because he’s far away. That’s why I like to say, “I love you.” It’s probably the greatest three words of affirmation ever.
In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 talks all about how even if a person has a powerful strength that gives them the capability to move mountains and walk on water, if they don’t have love, they am nothing but a single cymbal that can’t make a noise. Basically without love, even though you might have this great strength that could make you the greatest hero the world has seen, if you don’t have love, you’re useless. That’s why love is important. And essential. Especially if you have someone whom you love and you think that you want to spend the rest of your life with this person. If you start your routine by telling them you love them every day, no matter if you’re right next to them or you’re across the country from them, it’ll be something that goes a long way. It’ll make a stressful day a happy one, a lonely one a full one, and a bad day a better one.
