Member-only story
Can You Speak a Different Love Language Than You Receive?
When it comes to love languages, I’m a words of affirmation and an acts of service person. I need to hear that I’m important to people verbally and very regularly. I need people to initiate conversations with me, check in to say hey, and say “I love you.” I feel very loved when someone does something for me that takes a task off my plate or lets me know they’re thinking of me.
And I definitely give those love languages back. I am prone to picking up my friends’ plates and glasses at the bar to clear the table for a game, and I’ll always be that mom friend who asks for an extra chair when we need one. I will write you an amazing pep talk message or set aside time to chat one on one with you when you need it.
My love languages rank very high on words and actions, mid-to-high on touch and quality time, and a big ol’ 0 on receiving gifts.
But when the planets align, I am powered by gift-fueled mania to find or create just the right gift for someone. Sometimes for Christmas. Sometimes for birthdays. Sometimes just because I saw something that jumped off the shelf and screamed, “Buy me for that person who loves squirrels!”
Could it be that I speak the gifts love language without needing to receive it?
