Someone gave me a Coke, and it made me smile. No, really. It did.

A couple of weeks ago at church, one of our younger members walked up to me after the service and handed me a Coke. It was one of those “share a Coke” bottles that had my name on it. It said: “Share a Coke with Tom.”

I smiled.

Relationship Counselor, and author, Gary Chapman says that people express and receive love in five different languages: 

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

I took the quiz a while ago and found out that my “love language” is Receiving Gifts. It means I like to show my love by giving gifts, and I feel very loved when I receive gifts.

My young friend didn’t know it, but with her thoughtful little gift she made me feel loved. It was more special to me than she probably even knew. I haven’t been able to drink the Coke from the bottle. I just like looking at it on my desk. No matter how small the token, it’s a reminder that someone thought of me.

All this made me wonder how many simple opportunities we all pass up every day to do something, no matter how small, to show someone that he or she is loved and appreciated. Maybe you don’t know what someone’s “love language” is, but you could certainly use one of the five to show someone attention and appreciation today.

Notice something someone is doing and “affirm” her.

Offer to take some work or a chore off of his hands.

Give a small gift.

Spend more than a passing moment. Sit for a moment and really listen.

Give a hug or pat a back.

Or share a Coke with a friend whose name is on the bottle.

I bet they’ll smile.