Love Languages

I smile when I think about Love Languages.
Many years ago a gentleman named Gary Chapman wrote a book called, "The Five Love Languages", he had clearly done some research into the different ways that people love and like to be loved.  He lists out the Five different languages to be "Words of Affirmation", "Quality Time". "Receiving Gifts", "Acts of Service", and "Physical Touch."  He goes into great detail as to what each "language" means and why you may enjoy one over the other.  There may be things in your past that have made you that way or there may be one that is just easier for you to receive but however you got there, everyone has a love language.
But can those Love Languages change over time??
Can one person start out as a "Quality Time" person and then over time become an "Acts of Service" person? Does it change depending on your partner? What really goes into figuring out what  Love Language you are?
I know for me I used to be a "Words Of Affirmation" person.  I needed everyday to hear someone tell me I was good enough, or pretty, or special, or that I did good at something.  I would get down in the dumps and beat myself up if I did not hear "good" things about myself from other people.  I think for many people Words of Affirmation can be many different things, but for me it was being told I was ENOUGH the way that I am.  However, I am to a point now in my life where I believe I am ENOUGH and I don't necessarily need someone to confirm that. Now, don't get me wrong, it is still nice to hear that I am pretty or that I look nice, or whatever the kind words may be, but I do not wait on bated breath for them anymore in order to feel confident to walk out the door in the morning.
For me now I am a Physical Touch and Quality Time person.  I am at a place with myself where I have built my own confidence and I am my own person and now I just want to be with people.  I want to learn about them, where they came from and where they are going, or how they got to where they are today.  I love hearing about peoples lives, whether joyous or filled with struggle I just enjoy listening (and of course giving my 2 cents where I find fit).  I love to be close to people, not invading their personal bubble or allowing the invade mine, but just close to people in the sense that they don't feel alone.  I enjoy embracing people and feeling that connection with someone when I am around them.  Now, don't misunderstand me, I do not just walk around outside of my office and hug and kiss random strangers on the side of the road, but with people I meet through friends or family I like to shake their hand, give them a hug, or a slight kiss on the cheek, I feel that is a form of connection and trust.
I am sure many people read "Physical Touch" as a sexual thing and in some cases it is, however touch is not always sexual (something else I am learning).  Physical touch can mean so many things, it can be sexual, or it can be the small touch of the small of your back as your partner follows you into a room.  Physical touch can be the holding of hands, the brushing of feet while laying in bed or snuggling on the couch.  Physical touch can be the stroking of ones hair when they don't feel good, the tickle of the back, or the slight hand on the leg of the one you love.  Physical touch can be as simple as a hand shake, a friendly hug, or hello kiss.  It can also be a baby or child wrapping their arms around your neck and giving you a good kid hug.  Physical touch has so many meaning.
Gary Chapman has done even more studies to discover "Love Languages" for teens, in children, the 5 languages of appreciation in a work place, and many others.  If you are single, married, divorced, want to be married, or just dating around, I definitely recommend "The 5 Love Languages" as a read, if nothing else, it helps you get into yourself and learn things about how you love and want to be loved.
I smile when I think about Love Languages!!

I smile when I think about.......Puppies

I smile when I think about dogs.
I recently returned from a vacation in Texas and have moved in with my parents until my new place is ready on September 5th.  This morning while laying in my bed, I heard my dad get up and get Lexie, my parents Labradoodle, ready to go outside.   Lexie as curious as she is, poked her head in my bedroom door and just brought the biggest smile to my face.  Knowing she needed to go out to go potty I laid there and pretended not to see her, but she saw me and that was all it took.  Lexie, all 75 pounds of her, came bounding into bed with me and snuggled right down as if she hadn't seen me in ages.  Of course I guess dogs have no concept of time so as far as she was concerned a week was an eternity.
There is something about puppy dog eyes and that little whimper that makes my heart melt.  Lexie is a rescue pup from ARF and although I was not impressed with their overall adoption process Lexie is a fantastic dog that has brought much joy and excitement to my family's life.

There are not many dogs that I won't get down to their level and smush my face into theirs and inevitably start talking in some cutesy voice telling them what a cute "tooter face" they are.  Whether they are walking in the park, being carried in someones purse, or being a stray on the side of the road something in my body just screams, "go pet them".  I have been known to get on the floor or out of my car to pet a 90 lb pit bull on a 2 inch logging chain, a long haired chihuahua in White Owl (who later on bit my face), and Golden Retriever who had gotten out of his owners yard, and most recently it took everything in my not to pull over and remove a white pitbull 9 week old puppy from a gentleman's hands while he held it by its collar and allowed its feet to dangle.  Animals are the one creature on this planet that forgives immediately, loves unconditionally, and shows affection without it being shown to them first!

I cannot help but smile when I think about......DOGS!!

I smile when I think about Lo Detrich..

Anyone who has come in contact with Lo Detrich cannot imagine not smiling, not only because she always was but because she just exuberant.  I had the privilege of meeting Lo when she was very young.  The Detrich family were members out at Tulsa Country Club and her older sister, Jane and I had gone to school together at Monte Casino.  Lo was a bright, vivacious, giggly girl who always seemed to be having the best of days, even when she really wasn't.  Lo was diagnosed at birth with CF, a disease that attacks the lungs.  But everyday, even as a young child Lo never seemed to let her illness get in her way.  I remember cheering Lo on as she swam the Fourth of July races at the Country Club, and she always got 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.  I never remember seeing her sit on the sidelines in fear of participating, she was always right in the middle of the group!! Lo had an addicting smile, she could brighten up any room.  Lo is the same age as my brother so I had the privilege of watching her grow up, through grade school and high school.  Although I was not involved a lot in her life I did get to keep up with her, and now thanks to modern day technology (Facebook and Caring Bridge) I have been able to keep up more.
Lo's family and friends have been by her side the entire fight, fighting right along side of her.  Lo seemed to be Lo's biggest cheerleader.  She knew she wanted to beat the odds not only for herself but for all of those struggling with CF and those to come after her.  She has left a HUGE footprint in the sand of bringing awareness and finding a cure for CF.  Her fight was never in vain but rather in selfless love for everyone she met.  Lo is a spectacular and beautiful woman and her smile and legacy will love on forever!!