How to Show Someone You Love Them

Before reading Gary Chapman's, "The Five Love Languages," I used to believe there were very limited ways to really communicate that you love someone beyond just telling them.

I think it's an important book in that it points out not every way out there of telling someone "I love you" works to the same degree. You have to factor in a person's "love language."

In this article, I'll provide different ways to show someone you love them and a link to Chapman's website (where you can find out your love language for free.)

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The desire to show someone you love them.

1. Compliment them on something that's personally important to them.
   
   This could have something to do with work or a hobby. It helps if you're saying something in public that builds them up. It also feels good to have something nice said behind your back make it's way to you.

2. Take an interest in what they're doing even if it's not something you'd normally do.
   
   You may not be a sports fan or like the same type of movie, but go anyway just to spend time with them.

3. Listen.
   
   Really listen. It's a simple act that's very meaningful to a lot of people.

4. Surprise them with a gift.
   
   Not just on Valentine's Day (hopefully not really a surprise) but on a typical day where it really would be unexpected. Pay attention to what a person finds interesting and base the gift on that.

5. Do something nice for them around the house so they can spend that time doing something they enjoy.
   
   The gift of time is a very good gift, especially for moms who have hectic schedules.

6. Hugs for no particular reason--they're free and never get old.

7. Little notes or messages.
   
   I remember finding an "open me" word document on my laptop one day. Not remembering putting it on there myself, I found it said "I love you!" from my husband in the biggest font Microsoft Word could produce. You can leave Post-It notes on mirrors, dashes of cars, etc.

8. Taking the person to his or her favorite activity or restaurant.
   
   Again, you may or may not personally have the same tastes, but that's what makes it an act of love.
   
   These are mainly just a starting point. Ideally, you want to pick out things that will be unexpected to the person as far as timing and still fit their personality. You can get more information at Gary Chapman's site, which I've linked below.

Resources

• Recommended Reading: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• Recommended Reading: The Five Love Languages (Small Group Study Edition)
• Recommended Reading/Viewing: The Five Love Languages Leadership Kit (Used to Set Up Group Meeting for Churches/Small Groups)
• Patricia Gilliam's Author's Blog
• Patricia Gilliam's Twitter Page
• Books by Patricia Gilliam (Amazon Kindle/Apple iPhone format)
• Books by Patricia Gilliam (Paperback/Adobe .pdf eBook formats)

[Zibahrose]

on 3/12/2009 Wonderful and it makes one feel sooo gooood to make another feel good. Thanx for the article too much can never be said on this subject.

[jonnysgirl]

on 11/24/2008 Love this article!!

[MidniteWriter]

on 2/7/2008 This is great advice! I remember hearing about the five love languages and matching some to friends and of course my husband who had similar ones. It's great fun and you get to know what makes people "tick."