Research has found that there are 5 ways to receive and express love. We know them as the “5 love languages.” If you’re not familiar with them, they are: quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch, and words of affirmation. We can all relate to them, but there’s usually one or two that really speak to us. This year my husband and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary and when I think about our time to together, I realized there’s one thing we found that expresses all 5 love languages: TRAVELING

Quality Time

Life can get hectic with it’s many demands, so carving out time to spend with your partner is important. We can all agree time is precious. No one wants to look back on their life with should have’s or could have’s. Being able to spend time with your partner, giving them your undivided attention in order to stregthen the relationship is key to a healthy one. It communicates that you care. Taking a vaction will allow that time. This type of quality activity provides a memory bank of love. Like the time my husband and I had to walk back to our room (after missing the last train) in the pooring rain, sharing a cheap umbrella in Amsterdam. Not a good experience at the time, but looking back on it, that’s quality time we can reflect on and laugh about today.

Receiving Gifts

It’s always the thought that counts. The act of giving gifts has more to do with the sentimentality, than the actual cost of the gift. Because this one speaks to me most I like to consider them tangible pieces of love. They are gestures of affection, care, effort and thought. In the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, it found that people derive more satisfaction from experiential purchases like travel, than material purchases like jewelery or clothes. So give the gift of travel. In my opinion, it’s the gift that keeps on giving and makes the other languages easier to follow up.

Acts of Service

This love language is centered around the idea that “Actions speak louder than words”. It’s about going out of your way to help and support your partner. It requires putting their needs before yours. Sometimes, a lack of initiative can communicate you don’t care, even if you do. That’s why acts of service is so important. Taking the time to plan a romantic getaway for an overworked partner not only shows you care, but how much you appreciate them.

Words of Affirmation

This love language focuses more on what we say to our partners. Verbal compliments are great motivators. We all know the saying, “The tongue has the power of life and death”. You can use it to build or destroy. Just think of the last time your partner gave you compliment. Now think of time you had a bad fight. How did each time make you feel? Using words to build in relationships have a lasting and positive effect. On your next vacation with your partner express to them how much you cherish the moment and watch what happens next (insert smiley face)

Physical touch

Get your mind out the gutter for a second, there’s other ways. This love language is probably the one easist to explain; a no brainer. Physical touch is another powerful communicator. It can be expressed other ways beside the one way that comes to mind. Holding hands, kissing, hugging and embracing are other forms also. I witness the most PDA when I’m vacationing. I’m not sure if it’s the unfamiliar sights, food, people, etc but nothing brings my husband and I closer than a vacation.

Thoughts to myself like…

We all have an emotional need for love and affection. That’s why I am a firm believer of teaching people how to love you. Not everyone receives and expresses their love the same. So, taking the time to get to know your partner’s love languages is important if you’re looking for a healthy relationship; one that is about balance. Rather it’s quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, words of affirmation, or physical touch, I’ve found that they all come together through travel!

As Always,

Dream. Travel. Live. Repeat…