Why do I target men with that reminder? Well, I have heard a number of stories about men getting in hot water with their wives because they forgot Valentine’s Day, but I don’t recall ever hearing of a woman forgetting!
Even if we might chuckle about that stereotype, it does remind us that God has made us all different. We all give and receive love in different ways. Some are more drawn to big days like Valentines, while others don’t find it a particularly important or meaningful day. Of course, love doesn’t only mean romantic love, as in spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends, but love is something we can share with all the people we care about—family, friends, neighbors, and our church.
Gary Chapman wrote a book that has become quite popular entitled “The 5 Love Languages” in which he discusses 5 common ways in which people give and receive love. The basic, underlying premise is that what communicates love to you might be different than it is for your loved one. If you really want him or her to be confident in your affection, learn what specific actions really “fill their love tank” as Chapman puts it, and go out of your way to appreciate how God made them by doing those things. That’s great advice as we seek to not only love each other, but those who might be difficult to love!