Every Day Love

Do you remember back when you were single and Valentine’s Day would be the one day out of the year that would either make you the happiest gal on earth or a blubbering wreck sobbing in the corner?   Maybe Valentine’s Day still has that affect on you.  For most of us, we’ve realized that “love” isn’t something that’s expressed just on February 14 with a box of chocolates and bling (although, chocolate and bling are NEVER a bad thing).

Love is . . . sitting up all night with a sick child.

Love is . . . fixing fried chicken for dinner when you don’t like chicken, but your husband considers it a complete food group.

Love is . . . when your spouse goes out at 4am, in below zero weather to make sure there is enough fire wood inside the house before he leaves for the day.

Love is . . . finding a note from your child that says “World’s Greatest Mom”…..when you’ve acted like a lunatic that day.

The best wedding gift we received was the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you pick up a copy.  My husband is a “words of affirmation” kind of guy.  He NEEDS to hear words of encouragement. I personally could care less in that are  (and struggle to give him those words he needs).  I, on the other hand, am an “acts of service” kind of gal.   Mop the floor and I feel the love, and likewise I show love by doing for others.   Both of our kids have different love languages as well.   We all have to be ever mindful to speak love to each other in the way that is best received by the individual.     Take time to discover the love language of each of your family members, and then show them you love them daily.

There’s and old story I heard, that fits pretty well here.   There was a couple who had been married for 50 years.  One day the woman looks at her husband and says “Why don’t you tell me you love me?”  The man looks at her for a moment and then responds with “I told you I loved you on the day we got married, if anything changes I’ll let you know!“  Obviously, the wife needed to HEAR his love.

Love is a verb.  It takes action and effort.   When you love someone, you naturally want to do things for that person.  You can do all the right things, and do it with the wrong attitude and accomplish nothing.  If you’re making your husband’s favorite meal, and griping about it all the time, and huffing and puffing while you eat…..I can assure you, he doesn’t feel the love, or enjoy the meal.    Love is a gift, not a burden.

Look for ways to show your family you love them daily.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant.   It doesn’t have to involve chocolate or bling, but it does have to come from your heart…and connect with their hearts.