• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Receiving Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

While each person likely interacts with others in all of these ways depending on the circumstances and individual, learning to identify the best way to love others in their unique language can open up paths of emotion and communication that can only strengthen relationships.  Supported by his work as a counselor, this book uses common-sense explanations and case studies to illustrate each love language.  Each chapter ends with suggestions for ways to practice speaking your partner's love language if it's not your own primary love language, whether it's taking a walk together to find quality time, or making more of an effort to compliment your spouse if he thrives on Words of Affirmation, the ideas are practical and easily implemented.  It simply takes choosing to love, not in the way one wants to receive love, but in the way that speaks to the heart of one's partner.

Can the giddy, early days of romance last?  No, but with a little effort, that emotion deepens and becomes something better.  Here is a brief excerpt:

"Married adults long to feel affection and love from their spouses.  We feel secure when we are assured that our mate accepts us, wants us, and is committed to our well-being.  During the in-love stage, we felt all of those emotions.  It was heavenly while it lasted.  Our mistake was in thinking it would last forever.

But that obsession was not meant to last forever.  In the textbook of marriage, it is but the introduction.  The heart of the book is rational, volitional love.  That is the kind of love to which the sages have always called us.  It is intentional."