If you want to express your feelings for the special person in your life, then words might not always be enough. Often, it’s a grand gesture – or a simple one – that might get the message across. Let’s take a look at the power of the gesture, and four other ways to demonstrate your love to your partner.
The Power of Thoughtful Gestures
The right gesture can provide a kind of dazzling ‘wow’ factor, especially if it comes out of nowhere. You might arrange to go skydiving, or book a table at an expensive restaurant, or arrange tickets for a favourite opera or musical.
On the other hand, the more meaningful and memorable gestures are often the simple, small ones. You might cook scrambled eggs in a certain way on a Saturday morning, or write a note and stash it in their lunchbox. The best gestures tend to be the ones that are aligned with your partner’s tastes and preferences – since these often convey that you understand your partner and what they want from life.
Quality Time: Uninterrupted Connection
Spending time with your partner, without the distraction of children or devices, can be essential. But often, spending this time together means planning in advance. Recruit grandparents and family friends as babysitters, and make emotional intimacy a priority.
Meaningful Gifts: Symbols of Your Affection
Showering a love one with gifts can sometimes backfire. It can make it look like you’re trying to buy their affections. Instead, make sure that the gifts you buy are well-chosen and meaningful. Make sure that the value of your gifts stems from sentiment rather than dollars spent. Of course, the ultimate gift for unmarried couples is an engagement ring – but if your relationship hasn’t quite reached that stage, you can look for promise rings, instead.
Words of Affirmation: Expressing Your Appreciation
We’ve already noted that words aren’t always enough. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t without value – and a relationship that lacks a verbal expression of love, support and appreciation can often feel hollow and meaningless. Take the time to identify something that you like about your partner, and let them know about it. They’ll feel valued and cherished.
Acts of Service: Lending a Helping Hand
Words should be backed up through regular actions. Intervene to lighten the load on your partner, and let them know that you’re facing a given set of challenges together. This might mean pitching in with household chores – or doing something practical to get them through a rough time, or to meet a given target. If they’re training to be a triathlete, then you might get up early to coach them. If they need to visit a relative in the hospital, then you might offer to drive.
