Everyone gives and receives love differently. This philosophy is the basis behind the Five Love Languages – a guidebook written by Dr. Gary Chapman over 30 years ago. Dr. Chapman used his background as a counselor to spread the knowledge of the love languages so that people could form meaningful and lasting relationships.
If you’re not familiar with the five love languages, they are receiving gifts, physical touch, acts of service, quality time, and words of affirmation. One of those probably stood out to you more than the others, that’s most likely your primary love language. Now, what about your partner?
Knowing your partner’s love language can help you meet each other’s needs on a deeper level, and understand when they’re not being met. Still, if you have different primary love languages, then it might not be totally natural for you to give in the ways that your partner needs. We’re here to help.
If your sweetie is oohed and awed by whispering sweet nothings into his ear, then he may gravitate towards words of affirmation – positive, uplifting, and personal sentences, quotes, and phrases that make him feel seen and validated.
As amazing of a partner as you are, you might not be the poet or wordsmith that you’d like to be. You might not care too much about words of affirmation so it’s not the most natural way for you to share your love. Or you get caught up in the moment that the cat gets your tongue. Still, you know that that’s what your partner needs and wants.
No worries! We’ve got you covered. Here are some positive words of affirmation for him no matter what stage of the relationship you’re in.
Words of Affirmation When You’re Dating
Dating is fun and exhilarating, especially when you make a meaningful connection with a new person. It can also be nerve-wracking. You want to say what’s on your mind but might not want to come on too strong. We all want to play it cool sometimes, it’s ok!
That doesn’t mean you can’t woo him with your brilliant one-liners. Here are some ideas:
- “I’m really loving getting to know you. You’re so easy to talk to.”
- “I really appreciate your spirit for adventure. It’s so inspiring!”
- “You make me feel so comfortable, it’s incredibly refreshing to be around.”
- “You have the most gorgeous eyes, I feel like I could swim in them.”
- “It’s really sexy how passionate you are about ___.”
- “I love spending time with you.”
- “I feel such a spark when we kiss. It’s electric.”
- “I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”
- “I feel like I can completely be myself around you.”
- “You make me laugh harder than anyone. My abs are sore!”
Take your time getting to know him, the dating phase can be so fun. When you’re ready for the next stage in your relationship, read on ahead.
Words of Affirmation When You’re in a Relationship
Every relationship can use a bit of extra zest from time to time. If your partner’s favorite flavor of zest is words of affirmation, it can be helpful to have some quippy and sweet one-liners to deliver him when you’re feeling especially ooey gooey.
Try these on for size:
- “You make me feel so at home.”
- “I am so proud of you. You’ve accomplished so much and come so far.”
- “I have so much fun doing life with you.”
- “You’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”
- “That thing you did last night was SO HOT. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
- “I love how safe you make me feel.”
- “You make my heart feel so full.”
- “You always show me a new perspective that opens my mind up.”
- “I completely trust you with my heart and my life.”
- “You give the best massages.”
Ready to walk down the aisle? If you’ve taken your relationship to the next level and are now sporting wedding rings, you might need some fresh ideas.
Words of Affirmation When You’re Married
If your sweetie is now your husband (or long-term partner), then the tone of your words of affirmation may have changed a bit. You know each other on a whole other level, and you want to communicate that to him.
Take these words of affirmation for a spin:
- “There’s no one else I’d rather be sharing my life with.”
- “You’re my partner, my person, my husband, my everything.”
- “You’re my favorite person to do life with.”
- “You are my rock. I’m so happy that I can always lean on you.”
- “I want to spend my whole life with you.”
- “You drive me to be the best version of myself.”
- “You’re the best husband/partner ever.”
- “I love it when you start making dinner without me even asking.”
- “You brighten up my life and everyone around you.”
At this stage in your relationship, you probably know just what he’s most confident or insecure about. Try to boost him up by highlighting his talents and making him feel better about anything he’s not too confident about. Let him know what a difference he’s made in your life by being your husband.
From The Heart
The most important thing when it comes to words of affirmation is that they come from the heart. See your partner doing something that you love? Tell him. Does he look extra sexy in that crewneck? Make it known. Words of affirmation are all about communicating what you love about your partner in the most positive way possible.
If you get nervous about saying these things out loud, words of affirmation can be communicated through all different mediums. You can send them in a text, an email, snail mail, write them in chalk on your sidewalk, get creative!
The amazing thing about words of affirmation is that it doesn’t take much for your partner to know how loved and valued he is. A few snazzy (yet heartfelt) sentences here and there let him know that you understand what he needs, and how to give it to him.