We’re all looking to amaze our partners with every gesture. Learning to speak their love language can significantly impact the success of your future endeavours. Here’s a crash-course introduction to love languages and some date ideas you could use as a base for your adventures.
Everyone “speaks” a particular language, even our non-verbal actions are interpreted as “body language“. It follows that the way we express and interpret love has a language of its own. There are five languages we know of, and it is said that people subscribe to minimally one of these and up to three of them. What’s even more interesting is that we tend to be attracted to others who have a love language that’s fundamentally different from our own!
Words of affirmation are verbal acknowledgements of affection. Telling someone who speaks this love language that you love them, complimenting them and offering encouragement can go a long way. The loved one deeply appreciates you expressing these sentiments aloud and will likely return affection in the same manner.
We all love being around our special person, and for those whose love language is quality time, they especially cherish the undivided attention of their partner. These individuals revel in the attention given to them by their significant other when their partner actively expresses that they want to spend time with them. They love it when you are attentive. They look for active listening when speaking, including eye contact, and showing interest and engagement with your body language and verbal responses. 
Actions really can speak louder than words sometimes, especially for people who value those who go out of their way to perform special acts for them. Acts of service is expressed through actions. Again, the intention is essential behind the action. A partner who helps and makes life easier for them because they want to see how the service can relieve pressure, rather than for the sake of it, is highly appreciated. These are the people who will move heaven and earth to make sure you feel special and to take as much as they can off your plate when you need the assistance the most.
Receiving a gift from someone who put significant thought into it, took the time to analyse your interests carefully and translate that information into a gift, is something extraordinary. Giving and receiving gifts both does this and love it when done for them. The monetary value isn’t the factor that is what is paid attention to, but rather the sentimentality and symbolic thought behind being given the gift. They recognise and value the gift-giving process and often give presents themselves that reflect theirs or their partner’s values.
Having your special person hug you when you’re sad or just feeling under the weather can have such a profound effect on your mood. Physical touch can facilitate feelings of being safe and loved. Using physical touch, being in close proximity, being caressed or even having your hair played with can be an effective emotional connector, like a conductor for emotions from one person to the next. 
Living in Umhlanga means that you will never be out of options for anything, from gift ideas to date concepts! These love languages can then be “translated” into dates! Activities to do that really “speak” to your partner in a way that they understand what you were trying to do for them.
Suppose you’re looking for an outdoor activity to do but want to make it unique. In that case, you can go for a relaxing walk together at the Umhlanga Lagoon. Doing this can allow you to get close as you admire the beautiful surroundings and even hold hands. Holding the hand of a person whose love language is physical touch can be an extremely precious moment. 
Not an outdoor couple? Visiting an arcade can offer all the excitement you could want. While being physically close, you can also get the opportunity to provide some words of affirmation as you cheer them on in whichever game you decide to participate in. A match of Dance Dance Revolution allows the winner to create an act of service the loser has to perform.
Finding sentimental gifts can be a daunting task. Luckily, Umhlanga has a host of markets with cute and unique trinkets for you to choose from, whilst still spending quality time with your partner scouting all the exciting stalls. There are a few popular markets you can check out in Umhlanga. There’s the Wonder Market, The Cornubia Lifestyle Market, and The Village Market, to name a few. 
Okay, here’s a holistic experience covering all the above-mentioned love languages. This can be used especially if you aren’t sure of your partner’s love language and if they aren’t familiar with the notion. Go on a picnic! It may seem simple enough, but all the components that put together the picnic and the experience itself engage all of the love languages. Not only are you spending time together, but you’re also doing something thoughtful and pleasant for each other.
Putting together your favourite meals and snacks for each other is a clever way to perform an act of service. Add in a dash of words of affirmation by leaving a little note for them to find in the basket or with the food, also while on the picnic itself, during tender moments. If you want to get a little gift for each other, get a little trinket that symbolises some of their hobbies (keyrings and mugs are always accepted here) or something associated with the picnic itself like a miniature tree, or get a photo of you guys framed. How cute would that be? Just a little nudge here, sitting in a park while on a picnic is incredibly romantic. Take advantage of the “lovey-dovey” atmosphere and lean into them. There is no need for personal space at this point!
Just remember, all these activities and ideas aren’t just here for you to tick off a list or meet the “requirements” of a love language. It’s all about making your loved one feel how much you love and appreciate them in a manner they can understand. Suppose you need more information on this topic. In that case, there is always the book, “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, to guide you along.
Words by: Cristina Govender.