Here’s a story from the New York Times that’s equal parts romance and practicality. In A Love Language Spoken with Hands, a gay deaf man recounts his relationships with would-be paramours who promise that for him, they will learn sign language to communicate more fully. In his experience, these Romeos are always making a hollow promise — until he finds the man who is actually willing and able to put in the work.

It’s a touching story of love gone right. But it’s also a practical message regarding the power of making an honest effort to communicate with others in their own language.