Monday, May 3, 2010

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!!






10 comments:

Susan said...

Hi Stacy - I've been following your blog for a while but have never commented. I just wanted to say I always enjoy your posts and your beautiful pictures of both of your sweet babies. As a funny side note - I have a friend named Stacy (who is a teacher) and she has a beautiful little girl named Eliana also :)

Michelle said...

I have known about the 5 Love Languages for over 10 years now! My parents read it for a class at church when I was a teenager. :) I would pick it up to read here and there and it has come back to my mind now that I'm married.

Unknown said...

I've read "The 5 Love Languages for Singles" book and loved it. It's something I think people rarely think about, but having that awareness makes such a difference in relationships (not just romantic ones). Ellie is SO adorable and I love her cute little smile! She is perfect just like her brother.

Sonya said...

Eliana is beautiful!! So nice of that man to make such sweet comments. Isaac is a very very special little boy who has touched so many lives and will do so through the play ground and the tournament!

Laura said...

Stacy,
What is going on with your job? I pray that you have peace with whatever the decision is. Both of your children are beautiful. God Bless!

Jessica said...

both of you children are beautiful, stacy. :)

babyrndeb said...

OH my gosh - check out that smile!! She is so deliciously cute!

babyrndeb said...

and I do hear other mom's say that...just talk about my child, mention him/her by name. Know that I never forget and how special it is that others remember him / her too.
Know that Isaac is not forgotten and that he did and does make a difference

Cassie said...

She's sooooo so beautiful!

Holly said...

How wonderful that man acknowledged how special Isaac is!