If you’re new to the love languages concept, check out the 5 Love Languages website. And here’s their post on The Power of Affirming Words.

1. Scrawl a note on a napkin in their lunch: Praying for you today. So proud of you.
2. Use a dry erase marker on the mirror, or on glazed wall tiles: You rock my world. Thanks for being you.
3. “I respect you so much for your ability to __.”
4. Send a text after the big day, meeting, presentation, or test, checking up on how it went and reminding them you were praying. (Set a reminder on your phone or computer if you need help remembering!)
5. “Even on days when you’re ___, I’m so glad you’re mine.”
6. “Am I making you feel understood?”
7. Leave sticky note on their steering wheel or in their backpack. Just to let you know that I love you.
8. “Your _[personality trait]_ is so just what our family needs.”
9. Send a love note or, for a child, a letter through the mail, just letting them know what you appreciate about them. Be descriptive and sincere.
10. Get specific: “You do ___ really well.”
11. “Tell me more about what that was/is like for you.”
12. On small strips of paper, write or type things you love about them and great memories you have. Wrap them around individual candies of his or her favorite kind!
13. “When you did ___ for me, it made my day go so much easier/made my day. Thanks for doing that!”
14. Remember: Go for quality of words more than quantity. Communicate that when you affirm them, your words aren’t inflated; they’re trustworthy.
15. “Looking at circumstances, I’m getting the idea that you might not be feeling very ___ lately. Wanted to let you know that I see so much _[character quality]_ in you, and at the risk of sounding corny–I’m proud of you.”
16. “You make me so happy just by being you.”
17. Send an e-mail or Facebook message: Just wanted to let you know that I’ve seen the way you’re trying so hard to ___. I love it, and I love you.
18. “Got a minute to tell me how you’ve been–really? I’d love to get the inside story on what you’ve been thinking about and going through.”
19. “I respect you so much for the way you ___.”
20. “I realize you and I haven’t been completely on the same page recently. Just wanted to let you know I’d never trade the privilege of being your[mom/dad/husband/wife]. And I’m totally committed to working on our relationship so we can understand and enjoy each other.”

What has someone said to you that made your day–or changed you?