BY VANESSA BREDFEDLT
THE FIVE
LOVE LANGUAGES
Whether it ’ s a hug , a surprise gift , or a nice note , everyone has a preferred idea of what makes him / her feel loved .
The Five Love Languages include gifts , acts of services , physical touch , words of affirmation , and quality time . They are the ways in which people feel most loved when receiving the actions and the ways in which they show their love to others .
“ I ’ ve noticed that ever since I learned about love languages I ’ ve started to appreciate the different ways that people show love , whereas before I wouldn ’ t have noticed them as much ,” said Keri Nicholson , senior .
Nicholson ’ s love language is words of affirmation . For people like Nicholson , they feel most loved when people verbally express how much they love them through notes , compliments , or even a simple ‘ I love you .’ She also likes to find out other people ’ s love languages so she can “ change the ways she shows them she cares ” because she said , “ it means the most to them .”
“ When people take time out of busy schedules it shows they care ,” said Gabbi Pulasky , senior . “ It makes me feel most loved .”
For people with quality time as their love language , it can be “ harder to maintain friendships with people who are particularly busy ,” said Pulasky , because even if it may not be true , it can feel like they don ’ t care . A few ways to show love to someone who craves quality time would be going to get lunch or coffee with them or even to just give them a call .
“ I love physical touch because it means knowing someone is near and 22 Page Feature just having a physical connection ,” says Averie Perez , junior . “ It makes me feel safe .”
Individuals who love physical touch can often come across as being “ flirty ” or “ too much ,” says Perez , however , that is not typically their intention . Hugs , playing with hair , comforting touches , and high fives are all great , perfectly platonic ways to show love through physical touch .
“ Knowing someone thought about me enough throughout the regular course of their day and wanted to see my reaction to something they associated with me makes me so happy ,” said Malia Mendez , senior whose love language is gifts . “ It ’ s not the money spent , but the thought put into it .”
While liking to receive gifts can be seen as being selfish , it isn ’ t about the gift itself , it is about the thought behind it . That said , a gift doesn ’ t have to be expensive and can just be something simple like a cup of coffee or a fuzzy pair of socks .
“ I believe that acts of service take the most effort , thus it must be sincere ,” said Abraham Nuno , senior . “ Yes , words may make you feel good , but it ’ s actions that let you know whether your partner or friend is sincerely trying .”
Acts of service can show people how much one cares and seemingly little things like “ reminders and advice can go a long way ,” said Nuno , since they can be helpful during stressful situations .
While people have different ways of showing and receiving love , they all have the inherent desire to be loved — whether it be romantically , platonically , or familial-y .