Have I really Changed THAT Much???

I read a book several years ago entitled "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.  I just loved this book!  The five love languages that people most respond to is:

1.  Words of Encouragement
2. Acts of Service
3. Gift Giving
4. Quality Time
5. Personal Touch and Closeness. 

We all need all five of these in operation, however there will be one or two that will be off the chart, far and away, YOUR love language!  If you are not sure which one it is, just ask yourself, "What do I do most of the time to show my spouse, kids, family or friends, how much I love them?".  That will most likely be how you best receive love.

Any way, when I first read the book - my love language, hands down, was Gift Giving.  I just love getting things for people (even from the dollar store) and giving.  I also loved receiving.  Sometimes it was the gift of service, time, kindness, etc... no matter what it was, I would get butterflies of joy within me when someone would hand me something...it just said "I saw this and I thought of you."

My friend Lou Ann is Words of Encouragement.  She always blessed me with cards filled with words of encouragement.  This was such a gift to me over the years.  I still have all of the cards that she gave me and look at them from time to time.  Our friendship is deeper and more precious because she took the time to give me those gifts of encouragement. 

My friend Christina said last weekend, without hesitation, that I am totally a Quality Time person.  When she said that, I had to agree.  I really began to reflect on how much I have changed over the years.  Is it my age?  I don't know, but she was completely right!  One of my most favorite things to do is hangout with friends.  If anyone calls to go for coffee, or to get together to scrapbook or card craft, I'm there!  I will drop everything (within reason) to make it happen.  Why?  It is such a joy for me to DO LIFE with people I love, people I want to get to know, people I admire, people who make me laugh and who listen...those that make me feel better when I leave than when I got there.  I hope that is how I make my friends feel! 

So what is YOUR love language, and how do you use it to love on others?