Time To Hug Again

I grew up in a family of huggers, I say huggers but really when I describe it to people I usually say that we basically all make out with each other when we’re together because that initial hello is always the biggest embrace. I love hugs so much, but I also love all forms of touch, I love hand holding, resting your hand on someone’s arm to let them know you’re really listening, stroking the side of someone’s face as you tell them you love them, looping arms during a stroll, putting someone’s hair behind their ear, placing your arm around their shoulder or waist while you walk, and yes my personal favorite a light tap on the butt while walking by. Is this a lot? Yes, and while it’s common sense it should always be stated that I make sure to never touch people that don’t want to be touched, I have plenty of people in my life that don’t like being touched the way that I do and I respect that, but for the other people in my life, it’s absolutely a love language of mine and holy shit have I missed it. The pandemic hit and suddenly we couldn’t touch anyone! To some this was a relief and to others like me, there was a momentary freak out. It’s been hard, wanting to reach for a hand or a hug and having to pull back because we knew we couldn’t, much harder than I thought it would be. Deciding to move didn’t make it easier, I wanted to hug my Austin family so much in the weeks leading up to me moving but instead had to settle for one right before I moved in the fear of what that physical touch could result in. The same happened with moving back home, suddenly I was around my family for the first time in years and I couldn’t run into their arms, but now things are finally different, and they’re changing for the better. Sarah and I took this picture a few weeks ago when I saw her last, and it feels so good knowing that we’re all starting to see the light at the end of this very dark tunnel we’ve been stumbling through. I received my second dose of the vaccine a few days ago and even though there are still safely precautions we should all be taking, suddenly I know that I can hug the ones I want to and it feels amazing!!

G