Ann's Six-Month Experiment

The Five Love Languages

This subplot traces Ann's deliberate attempt to restore affection with Glenn through a structured, uncertain experiment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Question at Reynolda Gardens

Loving Someone Resented An urgent question Ann asks Chapman whether it is possible to love someone she hates. Her question arises from years of criticism and emotional exhaustion in her marriage. Hope is uncertain Chapman knows Glenn has refused counseling and sees himself as blameless. Ann's faith and reluctance to leave make her situation especially difficult.

A Choice Between Pains A Choice Between Pains from "The Five Love Languages". Staying or Leaving Conflicting counsel Ann's friends advise her to leave, while her moral and religious convictions make that choice difficult.

A Choice Between Pains from "The Five Love Languages". Staying or Leaving Conflicting counsel Ann's friends advise her to leave, while her moral and religious convictions make that choice difficult.

Staying or Leaving Conflicting counsel Ann's friends advise her to leave, while her moral and religious convictions make that choice difficult. Staying also appears likely to continue her suffering. A proposed trial Chapman offers a six-month experiment rather than an easy answer. Its purpose is to test whether responsive love might change the couple's emotional climate.

A Hope Defined A Hope Defined from "The Five Love Languages". Naming the Desired Future Ann's wishes She longs for Glenn to spend time with her, listen, share activities, and value the marriage.

A Hope Defined from "The Five Love Languages". Naming the Desired Future Ann's wishes She longs for Glenn to spend time with her, listen, share activities, and value the marriage.

Naming the Desired Future Ann's wishes She longs for Glenn to spend time with her, listen, share activities, and value the marriage. She also hopes to regain warmth, respect, and pride in him. A hypothesis, not a promise Chapman proposes that meeting Glenn's emotional needs may encourage reciprocal care, while acknowledging that no response can be guaranteed.

A Month of Initiatives A Month of Initiatives from "The Five Love Languages". Love Given Without Pretending Two guessed languages Ann identifies physical touch as important to Glenn and quality time as central to herself.

A Month of Initiatives from "The Five Love Languages". Love Given Without Pretending Two guessed languages Ann identifies physical touch as important to Glenn and quality time as central to herself.

Love Given Without Pretending Two guessed languages Ann identifies physical touch as important to Glenn and quality time as central to herself. Chapman also suspects that affirming words may matter to Glenn. Difficult actions She is asked to stop verbal complaints, offer positive words, and initiate physical affection. Chapman distinguishes chosen actions from falsely claiming feelings she does not have.

A Changed Response A Changed Response from "The Five Love Languages". The Marriage Shifts Feedback and requests Ann checks in with Glenn monthly and later makes specific requests in her own language.

A Changed Response from "The Five Love Languages". The Marriage Shifts Feedback and requests Ann checks in with Glenn monthly and later makes specific requests in her own language.

The Marriage Shifts Feedback and requests Ann checks in with Glenn monthly and later makes specific requests in her own language. She continues counseling and records both efforts and frustrations. A reported improvement Glenn becomes more positive and responds to nearly all her requests during the final months. He never attends counseling, but listens to tapes and encourages Ann to continue.

A September Saturday, two weeks after Ann begins counseling

At Ann's next counseling appointment

During planning for the six-month experiment

The first month of the experiment

By the end of the six-month experiment