This month on Ask Coach Kathy we’re talking about feeling appreciated in your relationship by your spouse.
I know my boyfriend loves me. It’s just that he doesn’t say positive stuff to me very often. He helps around the house and gives me thoughtful gifts. Am I expecting too much?
Gratitude is a multi-lingual. It can be expressed in a myriad of ways: through physical affection, thoughtful gifts, time spent together, as well as through words. It sounds like you know on some level that you are appreciated; yet the verbal appreciation is what you desire. I would show appreciation for how your boyfriend shows gratitude for you and listen carefully for any hint of verbal thankfulness. When you hear it, jump on it by expressing how much you love hearing him say how he feels. Chances are, words of gratitude are not his primary love language, but if he feels noticed for using words, he may tuck them into his repertoire now and then.