One of the keys to romance is finding the little things that make your partner feel appreciated. In general, men and women are different in this area and what works for one person may not work for another but according to a book from a few years ago called, The Five Love Languages, the things that all people seek can be broken down into the following five categories:

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Receiving Gifts
3. Quality Time
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch

Lets take a closer look at each of these. Words of affirmation are encouraging and loving telling your partner how much you care. It can be as simple as your hair looks nice or a compliment telling them how proud you are of their accomplishments at work. Many people grew up in negative environments where they were told they were worthless over and over so this type of positive communication can go a long way to reverse the damage and start the healing process and they will move closer to you.

Receiving gifts, now there is an easy one we can all do! People who respond to this type of love language thoroughly enjoy being given gifts and usually like to give as well. They feel most loved when they are giving and receiving gifts. This is something even the roughest of us can do easily.

The next on the list is quality time. I know many of us feel like we have no time these days with both people in a relationship usually having to work fulltime but with a little effort and planning it can be done and the rewards are tremendous. Just make plans for a date night, it doesnt have to be anything elaborate. It can be as simple as a quiet dinner out where you can talk uninterrupted.

Acts of Service is another one of the languages that is relatively easy to do. You can surprise your partner by filling up her gas tank in her car, washing her car, doing the little honey do projects around the house without being asked, keeping the lawn nice. Even though you may think of these as chores your partner really appreciates it and will show you. If you know how to cook, make a really nice dinner for her, if you dont learn how! I can tell you from experience that women love a man that can cook.

The final language of physical touch should not have to be explained, we all crave it to some degree, some more than others. This is beyond sexual. Just walking by and touching each other on the back or a pat on the behind can be all that is needed to show love. Of course by recognizing these things they will inevitably lead to more intense contact if you know what I mean!