So much of how we act as an adult comes from what we learned as a child. I realize that is not an earth-shattering statement, but stay with me for a minute.

The things we experienced growing up often stay with us. For instance, my dad was a big outdoorsman, and I have grown up loving the outdoors just as much. My mom was a nurturer, always making sure us kids were okay, showing how much she loved us.

In doing so, she provided daily hugs, which were the best in the world. My dad was somewhat of a hugger, too, more of a side hugger, though. You know, the kind of hug you get standing shoulder to shoulder.

My mom, however, gave the full-blown, both arms around you, kind of hugs that would last forever, or so it seemed. 

She must have learned that from her dad, who would squeeze you till your eyes bugged out. 

I remember well my grandfather’s visits and how I would look forward to those monster hugs of his.

And it was because of all of this huggin’ I got from my family that it passed on to me, I suppose. I’d like to think I have much of the same kind of love and kindness in my heart that they possessed, as well.  

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t reach out to hug everyone I see. That would just be wrong, and besides, some people just aren’t huggers.

But for my family and close friends, giving and getting those embraces is a way we show our love for each other. It’s comforting to me to get a hug from someone I care about.

However, this coronavirus has made us all a little leery of getting that close to someone, even members of our own family, and it’s almost impossible to give a hug from six feet out.

We can’t even shake hands! It’s an elbow bump at best. I’m certainly not advocating to break the rules and practice unsafe actions. We all need to get through this pandemic thing, and if giving up hugs is part of it, so be it. I can knock elbows with the best of them.

But in hearing from others who are also experiencing this hug withdrawal kind of thing, I feel like there are many of us who long for the day when we can all be together, unafraid to reach out and hug the ones we love.

For now, I’m glad to use technology to visit with friends and family, I’m willing to keep my distance when I see loved ones in person, and I’m saving up a ton of hugs when the day comes that we can hug till our heart’s content, as we travel down the backroads.