Many readers may be familiar with Gary Chapman’s excellent 1992 book, The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. While I had heard of the book, I didn’t read it until a few years ago.
If you don’t know Chapman’s five love languages, they include:
- Words of Affirmation
- Physical Touch
- Receiving Gifts
- Quality Time
- Acts of Service
My best friend Stacey recommended the book when John and I encountered a rocky patch – a common occurrence in most marriages. I’m grateful to her because it helped us back then and continues to help us now.
John and I enjoyed talked about and discovering our top love languages. Conveniently for us, Words of Affirmation are both number one. Acts of Service is number two for me, while Quality Time is John’s.
Recently, however, John and I have figured out there’s a sixth love language – well, at least for us. We would call it Cooking Meals. Now, you may argue cooking meals fits in the category of Acts of Service or even Receiving Gifts. But we feel it’s a whole other level.
We all must eat. But sometimes in this busy world, the thought of having to cook anything is overwhelming. Sure, we can turn to fast food, takeout, frozen dinners, etc. But of course, this comes at a cost, both financially and sometimes nutritionally.
I remember how I felt when people brought over homemade meals right after I gave birth to each of my two sons. This time of life was incredibly overwhelming, and to cross “dinner” off the list for a day was huge.
John and I genuinely enjoy planning and cooking meals for the people we love. We’re blessed to cook dinner every Sunday for our son Jonathon and his significant other, Olivia. It’s fun to brainstorm new ideas and see the look of joy on their faces when we present the meal.
Our kitchen is rather small, so working together takes some coordination. But cooking is a weekend tradition John and I love. And bonus – I’m a “clean as you go” cook. So, the kitchen ends up looking less like a war zone when we finally put dinner on the table.
This love language is what motivated me to join Lasagna Love years ago. While I no longer am in the program (since I’m always discovering people in my own city who need meals) I highly recommend the organization if Cooking Meals is one of your love languages. Check ‘em out at lasagnalove.org.
One new thing I enjoy doing is praying for the people who will eat the meal I create. I feel it adds an extra layer of love.
Hats off to Mr. Chapman for such a life-changing concept and book. May we all learn our own Love Languages and spread their joy to those around us.
Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.
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