Introduced by Gary Chapman, an American Baptist pastor, author and marriage counsellor, in his 1992 book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, the idea is now a dominant framework in modern relationship advice. While incredibly popular and often used as a “go-to” tool on first dates, recent research suggests that the idea lacks strong scientific evidence for its central claims. Love languages function like a culturally appealing system that individualizes relational strain, obscures power and substitutes a checklist for the harder work of understanding how relationships actually function over time.
Archives for February 13, 2026
More Sound and Fury than Substance in Flagler Beach Commissioner Belhumeur’s Election-Eve Attack on City Manager
Flagler Beach Commissioner Rick Belhumeur and his son Benjamin blindsided City Manager Dale Martin with a litany of anonymous allegations during a tense commission meeting. The claims, ranging from procurement fraud to hiring improprieties, were dismissed by fellow commissioners as decontextualized “minutiae.” With an election looming, the maneuver appears to be a calculated political stunt rather than substantive administrative oversight.
Florida House Approves Bill Broadening Definition of Books to Ban from School Libraries
The Florida House approved a measure Wednesday that puts a definition of “materials harmful to minors” into a controversial 2023 Florida law that led to books being removed from school libraries.
Palm Coast Splash Pad Suit Settlements Reach $2.375 Million, but City Still Faces Over $1.2 Million Loss
Palm Coast has reached a settlement with the final contractors involved in the shoddily constructed Holland Park splash pad. While total recoveries reach $2.375 million, the city remains over $1 million in the red due to rebuilding costs and legal fees. The City Council is expected to ratify the agreement on Tuesday, officially ending the four-year litigation.
Irwin Connelly, Environmental Champion, Former Public Defender and Flagler Beach City Attorney, Dies at 80
Irwin Connelly, a former Flagler Beach city attorney, public defender, and ardent environmentalist, died Wednesday at 80. Connelly was instrumental in protecting local conservation lands, including Bulow Creek State Park. A lover of Irish heritage and literature, he dedicated his retirement to literacy volunteering. He is survived by his wife, Brynn Newton, and son, Padraic Connelly.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, February 13, 2026
Free tax preparation services by volunteers should you need them, the Friday Blue Forum, opening night for “Social Security” at the Daytona Playhouse, Cheryl’s birthday, a Thoreau poem flies us to the moon.