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You've probably heard about the five love languages before: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch, but did you know there's a hidden, secret sixth love language that is so common, it might as well be made canon at this point? We're talking about food!

We're certain that at this point in your life, you've likely heard the phrase, "the quickest way to someone's heart is through their stomach". There's definitely some truth behind this! While for some people food is just something they eat to stay alive, or something delicious to devour when the cravings hit, other people treat food as something much more meaningful than that. Here's what it means when someone claims food is their love language.

Food Is More Than Just Something You Eat

Yes, we all need food to stay alive, but for some, it's more than just what you consume; it's an art and a form of expression. It's understanding and acknowledging that behind every dish is history and a story to be told. Because sometimes, food is more than just its flavor and texture; it's about the memories, the nostalgia, and the meaning behind its preparation.

Food has a beautiful way of instantly transporting us through time to unlock special memories and moments in our lives that we look back fondly on. Whether it's the smell of pancakes freshly made in the morning that reminds you of your Mom's Sunday breakfasts, or the taste of spaghetti that takes you back to your amazing Italy trip, food can represent our happiest times, our saddest moments, and so much more.

It's hard not to see food as your love language when you think about it so deeply like this! When your emotions are so tightly interwined with the meals you've tasted, smelled, and seen, it's impossible not to call it a form of love.

You Love Cooking For Other People

And if food is your love language, we have no doubt that you absolutely adore cooking for other people. It's about spreading the love after all!

It doesn't even matter if you're a good cook or baker, because to you, it's all about the intent and thought behind it.

Cooking for other people isn't about just making them something to eat, it's about setting aside your own time to create something memorable and thoughtful for them. It's about showing them that you care, through demonstrating you know what they love to eat, or that you know they had a hard day and you want to take something off their plate, or more.

There's also something so incredibly satisfying and rewarding about getting to see people's reaction to something that you prepared for them. Knowing that you poured in so much effort to cook up a great meal or dish for them, whether it's taking into consideration their dietary restrictions, their taste preferences, or making something they're craving, it feels great seeing a tangible reaction. That smile you get to witness on their face is unbeatable and makes the whole thing worth it!

You're also more likely to treat food as your love language if you lean towards being an acts of service kind of person. We know that cooking and preparing meals takes up a lot of time and can be tiring for some people, so taking that out of their day so they can relax and enjoy your cooking might just be the ultimate form of you showing your love.

It's such a physical, expressive way of telling someone you love them.

Nothing Is Sweeter Than A Home-cooked Meal

If cooking for others is how you tell them you love them, then receiving a home-cooked meal is the perfect way to make you feel just as loved and appreciated. When your love language centers around food and cooking, you don't just see a meal as one less thing you have to do or something delicious you're about to eat, you see all of the person's hard work and care within the dish itself.

It's all about connection and bonding. It's about being seen by the person who made you this meal, and knowing that they understand just how important it is to you. Having food as your love language has nothing to do with being a foodie either! It doesn't need to be anything special, grand, or luxurious—just a simple home-cooked meal from the heart is enough to warm your soul.