The Gift of Time Together

I'm sure many of you have read the book The Five Love Languages. Well, if you haven't, ask someone who has, or read it yourself the next time you have a minute to better understand this Blog entry, and of course to better understand yourself and those you love.

MY love languages are quality time and physical touch. So this weekend I was filled up with love - I was able to spend some time with Sean!!! What an incredible gift that was for me (and for Sean, but I won't speak for him). First to have my husband scoop me up in his arms and hold me felt exhilerating - and we hadn't even left the airport!! But holding his hand in the car, looking into his eyes when he smiled, and of course talking and laughing in person gave me a renewed sense of energy and made me feel so loved and special. The entire weekend was that way - seeing him working on his laptop felt great - I could SEE him!!! Taking long walks holding hands was amazing. Cooking together, sharing meals together, or just praying together while holding one another....nothing in my time away from Sean has made me feel as loved as this weekend did!!! And Sean shows me he loves me constantly when we're apart - cards, music, emails, webcam chats, text messages.....his love is so apparent to me daily, but being in his physical presence was awesome.

A few years ago 3 of my Uptown girlfriends and I went to the Dominican for a week away, and even though we had all read The Five Love Languages, we read it together again as one of our books to read and chat about. We decided (all being single at the time), that these love languages were important even as single women....we wanted to learn how to love one another better as friends. It was wonderful. Of course, with physical touch for me being significant, the ladies asked for clarification on how to care for me - hugs are always treasured, but from a distance, I explained, the best way for my friends to love me is to follow the old AT&T adage "reach out and touch someone" and just call me. It was the long distance hug for me.

I am blogging about this only because it strikes me as I am revelling in my time with Sean and anticipating his visit to California in October, that understanding and prioritizing YOUR OWN love language, AND that of those around you, can completely transform relationship. It can turn difficult times in a marriage around, it can reconnect friends, it can re-bond a parent and their teenage child, it can stretch you in a dating relationship. Sean and I are already conscious of our love language needs, but experiencing the blessing of them in abundance this weekend really reminded me of how God created us uniquely as individuals, but also blessed us with the ability to learn about one another and give to each other as we need to be.

Pause and consider your love language.....physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, or acts of service....and now pause and consider the love language of 3 or 4 people you love the most. How can you better show them love this week in a way that is meaningful to them? How can you encourage them to love you in ways that are meaningful to you? Consider how God takes time to show you how much HE loves you, by communicating in small ways to you through your love language.....if you haven't paid attention before, you will be amazed at how he is loving you constantly!!