“Our words are strong and our hearts are kind. Let me tell you just exactly what’s on my mind.”
– You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
A friend is great to have in moments when you need a listening ear for a vent session or just someone to bounce ideas off when all the noise happening inside your head becomes too much to handle alone. What’s even better is a friend that knows you better than anyone else, has seen you at your best and very worse and despite it all, wants to inhabit the same space as you for the rest of your lives.
Romantic relationships have a special way of highlighting the need for effective communication. We express our thoughts and feelings in various manners. Add a second person into the mix and things get interesting.
After reading The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, I wanted to see examples of the styles of communication at play in a relationship outside of the individuals mentioned in the book. I wanted to talk to a couple who noticeably demonstrates their desire to help each other, genuinely respect one another and enjoy each other’s company. After spending time in Amber and Cody’s presence, I noticed their dynamic. They seem to value their partner’s input. I’ve witnessed the kind of chemistry that allows room for them to poke fun at one another then giggle within seconds of delivering a jab.
Amber and Cody were gracious enough to sit down with me on a very busy weekend to explore details of their relationship from the time they first met to how they deal with differences in opinion. They took the 5 Love Languages quiz to identify their top love languages and we explored the ways in which they communicate within their relationship.
In case you’re not familiar with the 5 love languages, they are:
- Words of affirmation
- Gifts
- Acts of Service
- Quality time
- Physical touch
I’m happy to have had the conversation about the topic and so thankful that Amber and Cody were willing to share the love.