For each of us, our experiences, relationships, culture, and personal preferences shape a unique version of what we perceive love to look like. In fact, you may have experienced that even people in the same family each view acts of love differently. For foster and adoptive children, love may look drastically different because in their past, those who were supposed to love them have often not fulfilled this expectation.

Gary Chapman wrote a book titled, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts.  In it, he has determined there are five basic ways of relating love to us:

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

A fun activity you might facilitate is finding out what the love languages is for each family member:

5 Love Languages Quiz For Adults

5 Love Languages Quiz For Teens

5 Love Languages Quiz For Children

During Feburary, find out the love language of the family members you're supporting and go out of your way to love them in a way they'll recognize. If they appreciate Words of Affirmation, tell them how great they are as a parent and how much they mean to you as a friend.  If they recognize Acts of Service, bring them a hot meal, or offer to help run errands this weekend. Find out how you can specifically act in each love language by clicking here.

This would also be a wonderful month to give parents the gift of having quality time alone. Spending time together can be essential in order to maintain a strong relationship. Most parents will recognize the love shown by providing them with a night out.