Messages from the heart — Speak each other’s languages this Valentine’s Day

Commentary by Amber Martin

Garrison Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo. — When I was in elementary school, I used to love exchanging special Valentine’s cards with my schoolmates, and creating little letter boxes to hang on my desk for all the Valentine’s cards. As I went through middle school and high school, there seemed to be more pressure to buy a single carnation with a card to be passed out to that special someone in front of everyone in the middle of class.

As adults, I think we sometimes put too much emphasis on ensuring we get the perfect card or special gift for that special someone. While that might be important to some people, those whose love language is receiving gifts, I think it is important to note that Valentine’s Day is just a holiday to celebrate loving each other.

I think one way to show you care, whether you are in a relationship or not, is to bring it back to the days when we were in elementary school; when we all shared silly Valentine’s cards and enjoyed a festive day of chalky-candy hearts and friendship. Sometimes I think the Ninja

Turtles said it best in their typical fashion, “You’re mondo to the max,” or “You have a pizza my heart.”

I’ve heard some people say, “Valentine’s Day is just another day,” and “shouldn’t people be showing their love for each other every day?” While this might be true, I don’t think there is anything wrong with setting aside a special day to emphasize how important your loved ones, friends, partners or battle buddies are to you.

In the book called “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, the emphasis behind the book is to figure out what your partner’s love language is and understanding what yours is. According to Chapman the five love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch.

While this book is specific to relationships, I think expanding our understanding of others’ love languages who are important to us and knowing their love language can make you a better friend and human.

So why not let your loved ones, friends, partners and battle buddies know you care about them in their specific love language? Share a compliment, a card and candy, go out to a movie together, or watch their kids and give them a night off to show how much you truly value them.

While some people might think this holiday is just for people who are in relationships, I think we could all use a little love, or as Michelangelo from the Ninja Turtles might say, “I love you more than pizza.”