This month’s theme for 10 on the 10th with Jen at The Bolin Bunch is 10 Ways To Show Someone You Love Them. With it known that there are different love languages, which are the ways to express and experience love, there are myriads of ways to show people you love them. Here are 10 of my favorites.
[one]
One of the more obvious ways to show someone you love them is to tell them. You can say “I love you,” and you can also express what you love about the person. You can also write love letters or just little notes for your loved ones expressing how much you love them.
[two]
If you and your loved one are the type of people who enjoy touch, do it! Hugs, pats on the back, high fives, and holding hands are all ways to express love. My kids love cuddling, especially Zachary, who loves hard, full body hugs!
[three]
My personal favorite is giving gifts. I like to pick up things that I know my kids will like and give them for no occasion at all other than because they enjoy it. I think this is why I always buy Hanukkah presents, even though technically I don’t believe in the commercialization of the holiday!
[four]
The gift of time is also an important way to show you love someone. Even if you just take a few minutes to talk to your child each day, they will feel cared for. I also like to take my kids places one on one, or all together if they all agree on somewhere to go!
[five]
Even if you are far apart from family members or close friends, they will feel loved if you remember their birthdays and anniversaries. Facebook is helpful for this, but we like to give a phone call or a Facetime call for our family birthdays!
[six]
You can even make Facetime calls for no reason. I know I felt loved when my brother told me my niece wanted to talk to me and requested a Facetime call when it wasn’t a special day at all!
[seven]
Do something for someone. My personal highest ranking love language is Acts of Service. If you make me dinner, do the dishes for me, or help me out somehow, I know you love me!
[eight]
Really listen to someone. Pay attention to the things they are saying. If you are in the position to offer advice and the person wants it, you can, but it is also great to just empathize and let the person know they have been heard.
[nine]
Tell them how proud you are of something they accomplished. Gabbie feels our love when we come to her dance competitions and cheer her on. Zachary definitely knew how proud I was of him when he told me he got the highest grade in his class on a science test. When Simon brings home great work from school, I make a big deal of showing it to Dave so Simon sees how proud we both are.
[ten]
Say yes. Sometimes my kids ask for a snack they wouldn’t usually have, like hot chocolate, or something I have to make for them, and they are always extra excited when I say yes! It’s even better when I say yes to something they didn’t expect me to!
I feel like I could continue listing all the ways you can show someone you love them, but it’s 10 on the 10th, so I’ll stop here! However, I do have another fun list to share, thanks to the 3 Things blogging prompt from Laura at The Horton Family. These questions are even on a similar topic.
1. Describe one way you’ve recently shown love to others.
I have been working on greeting my kids each morning with a smile and a hug, which means beginning each day positively and on a good note. I plan to write more about this at some point, but I do think they appreciate my attention first thing in the morning!
2. What verse, song, or quote inspires you in your current situation?
I have been thinking of this quote from Rent. “You’ll never share real love until you love yourself.” Another thing I am currently working on is my own self-confidence!
3. The quality I admire most in others is ___.
The ability to be outgoing and talk to anyone at any time!
Now, tell me a way that you like to give or receive love!
