Celia Liu, Crystal Wang
With Valentine’s Day here, there are many things to consider and many things to think about. Love comes in all different forms, but some don’t hit the spot quite as well as others do.
How can you ensure that you and your loved ones are receiving and giving love to one another as effectively as possible this Valentine’s Day? Especially when there are so many different ways to show love?
That’s where the 5 main Love Languages come in, simplifying the various forms into Quality Time, Physical Touch, Receiving/Giving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Words of Affirmation. While it can satisfy some (specifically those whose love languages are words of affirmation), not everyone’s needs can be fulfilled with an ‘I love you.’ People show and receive love differently and it’s important to account for and communicate these differences.
To determine your own love language, you can either self assess by evaluating your own experiences with others, or take a quiz here
Statistics
A survey was given out to determine the most popular love language in Cardozo High School. Quality time came out on top with around 33.3% of participants stating their love language is quality time. However Physical Touch came as a close second with around 25% of participants choosing it as their love language. Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation tied for third, both having around 16.7% of people choosing it as their love language, and coming in last was Receiving Gifts with only around 8.3% of people choosing it as their love language.
Now that you know about the love languages, it’s time to learn how to fulfill the needs of your loved ones! Those who feel mostly connected by Quality Time should be taken out somewhere, whether it be someplace new, or someplace you both know and love. Most of the time, it doesn’t even matter where you go, as long as loved ones are near! It can be as simple as going on a walk, or accompanying someone when they’re doing homework in the library.
Those who feel the most love when it comes to Physical Touch often feel the most love through contact. These instances of physical contact don’t need to be grandiose; sometimes all someone needs is a nice long hug, or some time cuddling on the couch. It can even be as small as holding onto their arm, or their hand. Above all, always ask before touching your loved ones!
Words of Affirmation can be a bit simpler. Small compliments throughout the day, praising your loved one, and expressing how grateful you are can really help! Writing a card with everything you’re too scared to say aloud can also speak volumes!
People who enjoy Receiving Gifts are often mischaracterized as materialistic, but this can be very wrong! Most of the time, those who enjoy gifts enjoy the thought and effort put into it, not the actual gift itself. These gifts can range from a cool looking rock, or a trinket, to something bigger, such as jewelry. With gifts, the possibilities are endless, and it’s very easy to show people you’re thinking about them with them!
Last but not least, there are Acts of Service. Offering to do certain chores, or helping out by holding doors for your loved one can speak volumes! Those who feel love through acts of service would greatly appreciate a break once in a while. Whether it be holding someone’s bag, or preparing a giant relaxing day for them free of chores, acts of servitude can be very easy to satisfy as well!
All in all, it is important to realize that our loved ones don’t all receive love in the same way, and are even capable of receiving love in more than way. The best thing to do is to communicate with the people closest to you, and to ensure that both their needs, and your own needs are met. After all, there isn’t just one way to say “I love you!”
