Before Dr. Gary Chapman was a bestselling author, he was a husband in a struggling marriage. His wife was frustrated that he didn’t help around the house. He was disappointed she didn’t respond to his words of encouragement.

“One night she said to me, ‘You keep saying “I love you,” but if you love me, why don’t you help me?” That’s when the lightbulb went off: they each showed love differently. Gary used words, while his wife expressed love by serving. That discovery, coupled with his counseling experience, led to the ideas laid out in The Five Love Languages, a resource that has helped millions of people learn that expressing love happens in varying and sometimes unexpected ways.*

Your legacy plan is an act of love that:

Serves your family. We’ve all heard horror stories about people who pass away without a will. At best, it leads to confusion. At worst, it results in heartache. Putting together a legacy plan now ensures your financial house is in order, your final wishes are clear, and your family is saved from additional stress and expense.

Shares what matters. Your will is an opportunity to communicate with your loved ones— both in heartfelt words and in how you choose to share the gifts you been given—what’s most important to you: your beliefs, guiding principles, and values.

Spreads the love. What better gift to give than one that changes lives? That’s the impact you have when you leave a gift in your will to a charity. Your loving generosity embodies these words from Mother Teresa: “Love has no meaning if it isn’t shared. Love has to be put into action.”

Sentimental cards and bouquets of roses will always have their place. Along with these tokens of love, remember that a purposeful legacy plan is a loving expression of your heart.

*Story taken from The New York Times