Love Languages

QUICK UPDATE-- I didn't realize that I hadn't yet updated here about my job. I head back to eork one June 1. Whild I am disappointed to not have the uninterrupted 6 months at home that I thought I would, my return will only be through June 17. Going back allows me to not only return to the same school, but it seems like I would have been out of a position entirely had the request for me to return early not be granted. So I am thankful that since I have to work, that God allowed things to get resolved the way they did. Thanks for praying about that. Back to the original post...

If you haven't already read Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages, I highly recommend it. The premise essentially is this: people tend to have a primary love language; in other words, they feel the most loved when cared for in a particular way, and tend to care for others in a particular way as well. The five love languages include physical touch, gifts, quality time, acts of service, and words of affirmation. The point is that it is important to not only identify your own love language, but also that of your spouse and other important people in your life so that you can "fill their love tank."

Spencer and I dialogue a lot about this concept, mostly in an effort to continue to care for each other the best that we can. Our love languages don't match (often, spouses' don't), and so it's important to regularly check in to make sure we are loving each other well. It's also been interesting to see how, throughout our marriage, the ways in which both of us feel most loved have changed.

Most recently, my primary love language seems to be acts of service, but words of affirmation are starting to become quite a close second. And what's interesting about it, is that the affirmation doesn't need to be of me; it actually means more to mean when those words are about my son.

This past Sunday at church, Spencer and I noticed a few different folks wearing the golf shirt from last year's Isaac Timothy Delisle Memorial Golf Tournament. That alone is enough to make my heart swell. One of the men, came over to Spencer, Ellie, and I and struck up a conversation about this year's tournament. He talked about how great last year's tournament was, and said he was looking forward to playing again in August. As the conversation ended, he affirmed Isaac in a way that caused me to fight back major tears...

He's one very special little boy.

I've discovered that as much as I feel loved when Spencer helps with the dishes or vacuums the stairs, my heart feels so full when Isaac is affirmed... or even mentioned.

This gentleman also went on to comment about how cute and sweet Eliana is, which also makes my heart swell with such joy.

And with that, a few updated pictures of our sweet little girl, who will already be two months old tomorrow!!