What is your Love Language?

I have taken the “Love Language” quiz three times. If you have never taken it, I suggest you give it a try, and better yet read the book, “The Five Love Languages”, written by Gary Chapman, a professional marriage counsellor, doctor of anthropology and pastor. Gary’s success has stretched way beyond religion and his faith into business and secular conversation due to the accuracy and wisdom found in this book/study/quiz.

Having used it in small groups, leadership seminars and while teaching manners and etiquette here and abroad, I simple love what it continues to teach me about myself and about others. 

I hope I’m not getting too deep today, friends. LOL.

Every time I have taken the quiz, my results have turned out exactly the same. My love languages are pretty evenly, 1.) Acts of Service and 2.) Giving Gifts. Because of that, and because that is what I also expect of people, I have misunderstood some of my dearest friends.

When my expectation isn’t met in these areas, or when someone spurns or does not place value on my acts of service or gifts, I have gotten confused, hurt, melancholy, and sad. 

When I give a gift it is well thought through. Many times, I have given it because of an over-active ability to listen to wants, and needs during the most casual conversations! If you even mention you like something, my radar is on it, and I won’t soon forget it. I will pay attention to your colours, your style, your size, your whatever... because to me, I would only buy a gift that I am sure will be just what I think you want or something that you find out that (once you receive it), you can’t live without it! HA! HA!

But that’s just me and I am learning to not take it too seriously when others don’t pay as much attention to me, as I pay to them. There are a few people I would LOVE to administer the Love Language quiz to because I still have not figured out what makes them tick! But I won’t stop doing to them what makes me tick, even if the reciprocation is shallow or barely exists.

So, why am I talking about this on The Cumberland Shop blog? Because I see great value in thinking of others in tangible ways.

Recently, my oldest relative, Aunt Vera, passed away at 96, almost 97 years old. Although she was my Aunt, and not my Mom or Grandmother, she was very dear and important to me. After my mother passed, she kind of stepped in to attend every life event, filling in for Mom. I visited her regularly and loved spending time taking her to lunch and shopping with her for groceries, etc. I truly will miss her.

I was overwhelmed and touched at the number of cards I received after her passing. I had not really mourned yet. Then low and behold, a few days later, my church family sent me a beautiful box of goodies from a company that makes delicious English Muffins. When I opened the box and realised their thoughtfulness and empathy toward me, the floodgates opened. Genuinely touched, I lovingly looked at each gift as my eyes filled with tears that eventually overflowed onto my face. I felt loved. They hit me right in the center of the receiving-end of my love languages. Every muffin I enjoy will keep speaking not just to my taste buds, but to my heart.

At The Cumberland Shop, we like to feel like we are experts at helping you to give out love, thoughtfulness, joy, sympathy, empathy and hope. We can do with lots of that today, can’t we?

A thoughtfully given gift, no matter the size, can do wonders to ease hurt, heal pain and comfort. A gift can add joy, confirm love, and repair a misunderstanding. Then, when you add a few personal words on a card to that gift, you can make a person's day and even change a person's life.

Hand-drawn cards from TokkiDesign Art, available at The Cumberland Shop

Even if your love language isn’t giving gifts or acts of service, I am all but sure you would be touched to receive a gift and/or a card that we have carefully and purposefully helped someone select from the very vast array of goodies we carry at the shop. And if you are a willing receiver of gifts and want to be remembered, no shame! Stop by the shop and add your list to our ever growing “My Wish List” book. 

Ready for The Cumberland Shoppers to create their list!

I love the sheer delight of watching someone open a gift that I have hand selected for them. With the opportunity now, as a part of The Cumberland Shop staff, the joy has come full circle! I see the awesome goodies come in the door, I help to display them so you can be inspired and think of what will fit who in personality and style and need, and then I am able to hear from the receivers, when they come into the store as a result of a gift given to them from The Cumberland Shop. This can be almost heaven for a person who’s love language is Gift Giving! Actually, that’s probably one of the reasons I was inspired to open the shop.

We package your purchase so it's ready to give - what can we say, Acts of Service!

So if you want to “brush up” on your gift giving skills, we’re ready for you, and while you're at it, make your own “Wish List." Then, tell someone you did so and that list is at The Cumberland Shop. That kind of LOVE just speaks our LANGUAGE!

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Learn more about The 5 Love Languages and take the quiz to find yours here!