Food: Food: The Love Language of Our Parents

“Here’s a fruit-bowl for you to enjoy while you study”

This is my parents’ way of support on a stressful exam night. Even though I’m generally not a fan of fruits except for a few, this form of gesture often eased my anxiety. Whenever I felt hopeless or down, mom would suddenly stir up my favourite Riz bil Haleeb (Rice pudding) or roll up some mouthwatering Yalanji (Stuffed grape leaves) to cheer me up.

I remember once at the peak of the harvest season of Syria’s iconic green almonds, I was munching away on a little bag with my dad only for him to surprise me with more than 3 kgs of green almonds in his loving hands. A very heartwarming feeling got over me. I hugged my dad and rushed to get a plate of salt to share them with the family as an afternoon snack. It’s almost as though my parents read my mind, and their solution? Food.. Whenever mom and I argued, a cup of hot chocolate would be her way of bonding. Then there’s my grandma, who would always ask me what she should cook whenever I visited her. When love merges with food, the experience truly becomes magical.

After moving abroad, I realized how much a lack of this love language created such a dull experience. Whenever I find myself in Damascus again, I make sure to savour the moment, the smell, and the love. I ask you to do the same my fellow Syrians.