Why accidentally (or intentionally) weaponizing your partner’s love language could be a recipe for heartache.

Ah, love languages! The magical keys that unlock the doors to our hearts and, occasionally, to our favorite dessert spots. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I’ve had my fair share of couples who’ve approached me with quizzical expressions, wondering why their partner insists on receiving love in a completely foreign language. Fear not, lovebirds, for today we’re digging into the world of weaponizing your partner’s love language – not to start World War III, but to create a more harmony.

How many of you have teens, or are a teen? I don’t know about you, but I’m terrified of my teens getting their hearts broken, or worse. Statistics show that teen dating violence is getting worse and it affects MILLIONS of teens each year, and I’m seeing it affect many of the teens here in middle Georgia.

Data from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019 indicate that among U.S. high school students who reported dating during the 12 months before the survey:

About 1 in 12 experienced physical dating violence.

About 1 in 12 experienced sexual dating violence.

I really miss date nights with my husband. I miss getting ready to go out to eat or to catch some live music, or even just walking around downtown. My husband and I have always made time together a priority, but ever since this pandemic hit, we have found it more tricky to be deliberate with that “we time.” I have compiled a list of ten quarantine-style dates to help you find ways to connect with your partner.

How many of you date your spouse?

Why is this even important?

What does dating your spouse even look like?

Now that I have you thinking about this, and with Valentine’s Day lurking around the corner, you may be saying these things to yourself:

Do I even want to go on a date with my husband or wife?

What will we talk about?

Who will watch the kids?

We can’t afford to get a sitter and go on a date.

Not that these are not important questions or thoughts…but so is having protected time with your spouse. How will your prioritize this? Who can you lean on to make this happen?