LOVE LANGUAGES

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Everyone has an opinion about today and this post is not to share mine or give you tips to celebrate or boycott. This is about showing love every day of the year. February 14th is my parents anniversary, so on this day I honor their love, but why do you have to wait till 1 day a year to show those who matter the most to you. how much you care.

When I first heard of the concept of Love Languages I was intrigued. I love love and I love learning new languages or attempting to. But, Love Languages are things we already speak, but have selective hearing. This concept, written by Gary Chapman, assesses 5 different profiles of connecting with others. Each one of us resonates with dominate language, but its important to know the language of others so you are best heard.

Don’t worry, you dont HAVE to read the book. You can take a simple quiz. You can also take it for your child to really connect on every level with everyone. There are five languages and I will break them down. We show dominance in one over the others, but making note of your second and third languages are helpful too!

WHAT ARE THE LANGUAGES?

1. Physical Touch - Just like it sounds. It doesn’t have to be intimate, it is as simple as a high five or a pat on the back. This gentle nudge connects to that person on level they will appreciate and remember.

2. Acts Of Service - This is the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” You can tell someone you love them till you are blue in the face but DOING something for them speaks volumes. In my opinion it is the most high maintenance language because it requires planning and executing!

3. Words of Affirmation - For some, those words really to mean everything. Thinking of what to say and selflessly expressing it when it is needed vs when its asked for makes all the difference.

4. Receiving Gifts- This is NOT a spoiled language, in fact its the opposite. It is not the value of the gift that matters, but how the gift is valued.

5. Quality Time - Quality over quantity. You don’t have to spend hours with someone for it to count, but what are you two doing with the time. This shows you enjoy being together, just you.

My love language is gifts and Jose’s is physical touch. BUT it is important to take note: just because my love language is gifts and I love to give them I know they are not fully received as a language of love to Jose. He will appreciate them, but we would rather have a massage. And Vice Versa. He wants to show appreciation and hold my hand watching a movie on the couch, but I will use my other hand to eat the heart shaped Papa John’s Pizza he gifted us for dinner.

Take the quiz and comment bellow letting me know your language. You can also use this in business and life because everyone knows my favorite quote:

“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” President Theodore Roosevelt / John C. Maxwell / DJBJ

XoXo

Britt

BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN

Last night we had the pleasure of attending The Ivy Event's Movers and Shakers: a panel of local entrepreneurs answering questions aspiring creatives in the valley all share. Jose earned to opportunity to be one of those guest speakers along with Samantha from Standard Wax , Brendan from Jar of Buttons , and Robert and Christina from New Darlings . Hosted by Leah and Matt from Tremaine Ranch , this event showcased the struggles and the triumphs of starting a business and opened the door of networking for creatives in the area.

I learned a bit of new info, but was reassured a lot. As a entrepreneur myself I share the same mentality and ideas the panelists do and found myself leaving re-inspired in so many ways. But my favorite moment(s) was watching Jose light up the room. 

Jose is a naturally extroverted person (believe it or not) so public speaking is a natural talent but what he was saying touched so many hearts. He not only educated the audience about the Finding Arizona Podcast but in his opportunity to flip the script and show the audience his passion, he killed it! 

I get to see his passion every day and his drive inspires me to be the best version of myself. This blog post is inspired by his ability to shine light onto others. Using the creative outlet of his podcast, other passionate individuals get to share, hear and see the growing community of Arizona. However, on and off the mic Jose's daily selflessness is one of the reasons I fall more and more in love with him everyday.

Last night during the question and answer segment he did mention the support and love I provide to the podcast and the encouragement to push through any boundaries and I appreciate all the words of affirmation. Jose is a great man and I am proud to stand behind him and strive for us to be the best versions of ourselves every day.

Behind every great man theres a great woman and together they will take on the world.

ADVICE FOR LOVERS

February, the LOVE month, is here. To get in the spirit at the office I themed this month's company magazine appropriately. Aside from the 2 page spread on crystals, my favorite page is the "Advice for Lovers."  

These 4 quotes really stood out to me because they capture a little of everything. From kissing and making up to sharing goals and ambitions together this advice can help any relationship from 4 months to 4000 months in.

ADVICE FROM RACHEL S.

"Be with your best friend, you’ll spend more time as friends than lovers."

ADVICE FROM ADI T.

"When people show you who they are believe them. You shouldn’t have to convince yourself that their actions and their intentions are two different things. If you SAY you love someone you need to SHOW them. It shouldn’t be a guessing game because love is absolute and you should be too.”

ADVICE FROM PUNEH N.

"Say you're sorry fast. Mean it. Say it once. If you screw up, as you undoubtedly will, man up, own it, and apologize. But only do it once. Make it a good apology. Followed by a really good kiss can't hurt."

ADVICE FROM CARLEY P.

"I think its really important for your sig other to know your priorities and goals for your self come first. to me love is pushing one another to be the best versions of yourself."

THE ART OF A LOVE LETTER

How perfect is that letter? Jose sent this to me after our 44th President of the United States expressed his love to his better half during his final speech as the Chief. 

When we fist met, exchanging notes were a constant thing. Its juvenile, but lovely how a post it would be stuck to my office door and I would leave a reply stuck to his car handle on my way out. 

When is the last time you wrote a note to someone you love? 

There is no RIGHT or WRONG way to do it. Start with a greeting and follow the past, present a future rule. Why is your past so amazing because of this person? What do you presently look forward to everyday because of them? What future do you envision with them? 

Love Letters are the original "Thank You" cards. 

To this day we take the time to write terms of endearment out to one another to find in passing and turn any moment into a memorable one. 

HOW HE ASKED

He knew for an entire year when, but not how. I knew for an entire month if, but not when.

In December of 2017 America and Jose were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and the whole family was to be in attendance. Cousins, brothers, aunts, and uncles were to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico to celebrate the original love that brought their family together. We bought our plane tickets a year in advance and that is when he knew, this would be a perfect opportunity to bring more love into his family. 

About 1 month before the trip, Jose and I were returning from a late night food run and he dropped something from his pocket while reaching for his keys. The noise was so delicate and metalic so I picked it up and mentioned he had one of my rings. He nervously answered he must have been playing with it and picked it up on accident. 

About a week before the trip, my business partner and best friend demanded I get my nails done before the trip. So when I put 2 + 2 together........ #iknew

The entire flight his stomach was a nervous wreck, but I thought normal for him. The day of we had an argument, but I thought its just me bring pre-mensies. Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 was the day to celebrate 50 years of marriage be renewing vows at the Catholic Church, then family photos on the beach.  After photos Jose and I took a long walk on the beach that made my first day butterflies of seeing this tall, handsome, tan man for the first time come back all over again. "That can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series kind of love." 

We took a limo ride from a Puerto Rican catholic church to a private beach. I ran to the sand to look for shells and when the rest of the family arrived I grabbed the camera to take photos. Before I knew it Jose's dad, grabbed the camera from me and I was swept away on the last single walk of my life. 

It all happened so fast....He asked me to make him the happiest man ever and marry him. He got down on one knee, 100 yards away from his entire family, 1 hour after his grandparents re-expressed their ever lasting love for one another, and I said "Of course!"

FROM NEUTRAL TO BLUSH

Hello future Acevedo children, honestly, you are the only ones who will be reading the first blog written on the Finding AZ Engagement. You see, just 3 short weeks ago, Jose asked Brittany to make him the happiest man ever and marry him. But, did he know he was also making me the happiest woman ever? Okay enough with the cliche love quotes. Because 6 days after the “engagement” sheer panic sunk when I lost one of my pink diamonds in my ring setting, then, moments later realizing I have to plan something most girls have spent their whole lives planning.

I plan for a living. I plan for my day, week, month. I plan for myself and  my future and now I’m planning with my future husband and our next chapter. I planned to take a look at my Pinterest page just a week after the “engagement” and realized my boards are about mindfulness, dream homes, and yummy recipes, no wedding cakes, dresses, or invitations. But, this is more than just not having a Pinterest board. It is about understanding this engagement to be wed is planning for our dream life not just 1 day for our family and friends to party.

This blog will take you through our first journey as a unit, a couple creating the next chapter for themselves. It’s more than “planning.” We are getting married and buying a house and wanted to make sure this journey can be reflected on forever. I want to share "How He Asked," advice from other love inspirations of ours, traditions old and new, and many more.

Just 1 thing.... Please don’t expect anything, I’m not. Each day I know I fall more and more in love with the man I get to spend my life with and whatever falls into place with us, I look forward to embracing and incorporating into our lives forever. My checks and life when from neutral to blush.

OUR FIRST PHOTO SEPTEMBER 2015