Jenna Anderson-
A love languages event is being held on Wednesday, Oct. 9th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Center for Inclusive Excellence. This event is an opportunity for students to learn more about the five love languages; words of affirmation, physical touch, gift-giving, quality time, and acts of service.
The Gustavus Website says, “Whether they’re platonic or romantic, it’s important to foster relationships in your life, including your relationship with yourself! Come and learn about the five love languages through different stations/activities to understand the various ways you can deepen your connections! Come and be entered to win a prize!” There will also be hot chocolate, cookies, candy, and fidget toys available.
Senior Erica Gaebe, a Peer Assistant at Gustavus, is currently on the Healthy Relationships committee. Gaebe will be at the love languages event along with her committee members and the rest of the Peer Assistants. At the event, there will be a different station for each of the five love languages. These stations will have activities to engage in, and opportunities to have conversations with the Peer Assistants. Gaebe and the other Peer Assistants will be at the stations throughout the evening. Each station is intended to “promote discussion and learning about each love language and how they can help build connections with others on campus and in other areas of their lives, whether they’re romantic or platonic!” Gaebe said.
Learning about love languages is not exclusive to those who are in romantic relationships. “These concepts extend beyond romance and apply to all kinds of friendships, family relationships, relationships with the self, and in some cases, even professional relationships,” Gaebe said. Attending the love languages event will help students understand the different ways that people express and receive love. This knowledge, Gaebe said, “enhances communication, strengthens bonds, and fosters empathy. It helps people better understand their own needs and the needs of others, improving emotional intelligence and creating healthier, more supportive relationships in any context.”
Visiting each of the stations at the event will allow students to enter into a drawing for one of three prizes; a weighted blanket, an Amazon gift card, or a themed prize basket. Additionally, attendance at this event will allow students two extra entries in the “Walktober” drawing at the end of the month. This drawing is for either a 200-dollar gift card to the Bookmark or two Vikings football game tickets! If a student participates in two of the three official “Walktober” events, the love language event gives two extra entries.
The five love languages are ways that people express and receive love. Some people prefer to receive love and care through certain love languages but express love better through others. Gaebe explained the five love languages to help Gusties better understand them before coming to the Love Languages event. “Quality time involves spending focused and undivided time with someone. Words of affirmation involves verbal or written expressions of love, praise, or appreciation. Acts of service involves showing appreciation through helpful or thoughtful actions. Physical touch involves showing affection through physical closeness or touch. And gift giving involves showing affection through the giving of gifts,” Gaebe said.
To learn more about these love languages, stop in on Oct. 9th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Center for Inclusive Excellence. This event will help students get to know themselves better, have meaningful conversations, learn how to strengthen all types of relationships, have snacks, and have the opportunity to be entered into drawings for exciting prizes!