In 1610, a poem included the line, "Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers." This is the earliest recording of what we know now. But, a longer version, "March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers" can be traced to 1886.

Despite being a very popular phrase today, it does not necessarily run true to nature. In warmer climates, the environment does not lend itself fully to April showers bringing May flowers. In cooler climates though, the warming of winter, and the subsequent rain showers can be attributed to more flowers blooming in spring time.

Overall though, "April showers brings May flowers" serves more fully as a reminder that, in hard times, when rain is clouding your skies, flowers will come, blooming out of that hardship to create something beautiful.

In 1992, author Gary Chapman release a book entitled, "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate". This idea of love languages as they relate to romantic relationships is what is most often initially associated with the term. However, love languages has grown into something much more complex and inclusive today. Now, by learning more about the love languages, you can seek to improve many relationships in your whole life, not just for you spouse or partner. They can also be used as tools for connecting with your siblings, parents, children, friends, and even, with the children placed in your home.

The love languages are categorized into five groups. Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.

Words of Affirmation are the words we use to let those we care about, know that we care. For someone who's prominent love language is words of affirmation, they may need to hear that you care, because they may be less likely to pick up on more subtle signs of love. ("I'm proud of you" or "I love you")

Acts of Service are the actions that we take to show someone that we love them. For someone who's prominent love language is acts of service, they may need to see love in order to reassure themselves that it is there. (Cooking them dinner, or folding their laundry)

Receiving Gifts is a love language that can come across as sounding conceited. How does receiving a gift equate to a love language? In reality, receiving gifts can be seen as a way to share in an experience, to be shown that a person was thinking about you. Giving a gift to someone tells them that you found something, thought that they would like it, and held onto it until you were able to give it as a gift. There is time commitment there, and thought without physical presence, a reminder that people who care about you, care even when you aren't there. (Souvenirs from a trip, or a special coffee)

Quality Time is perhaps the easiest to accommodate as a love language. A person who needs quality time as a show of love, just needs your presence. There are very few expectations that come with spending quality time, because most often there does not even need to be an activity. Teenagers often seek to spend quality time as a way to show love, which is why you can often find a group of them 'hanging out' while on their phones. Those seeking quality time do not need an activity, just the physical presence of friends and family. (Sitting and talking, or watching a movie)

Physical Touch as a love language is finding simple, appropriate ways to be physically close to someone you love. Giving them a hug or holding their hand. Similarly to receiving gifts, it can have a negative connotation because there are many people in the world who are anti-physical touch. However, it does not need to be a big show of touch. Even a high-five is physical touch. For some, that little bit of physical touch is a way to show and be shown that there is a connection between two people. (A hug or a pat on the back)

Growing within yourself is always a good thing. By finding out your hierarchy of love languages, you can piece together ways to adjust your boundaries and expectations in your relationships. And even further, by learning the love languages of those you love, you can begin to set new boundaries and expectations for individual people.

Another useful tool of love languages, is learning how they can help the kiddos in your home. By sitting down and having the conversation about what they need to feel loved, you can help them create healthy ways to build and maintain relationships. This can also help them to start equipping their tool kit for later in life, when they are faced with relationships that make them uncomfortable, or are not good for them.

Gary Chapman has adapted his book into a set of online quizzes that you can take at home for free. CLICK HERE to get started. There is a couples quiz, a singles quiz, a teens quiz, and a children's quiz. Be honest with yourself and if you feel lead, look into buying the literature. Chapman has written about each age/relationship.

Click there =================>

to see some super fun, rain themed crafts for you and your kiddos to do together! The supplies you'll need for the crafts are listed below.

Supplies: