The Embrace

I can think of three guys off the top of my head that make me feel amazing when we hug. How can that two second moment completely change my life so drastically?! 

Is it the connection between two people that make that feeling? Is it two people joined at the right angles and the right heights? Is it love, admiration, or respect we have for someone that is expressed in that moment that creates that indescribable feeling?!

Hugs from a friend of mine that stands 6’5  make me feel like I’m the littlest person, in the warmest, strongest, yet, gentlest place I could possibly be.  

Then there’s the 6’2 1/2  man that hugs as if his arms could completely wrap around me and I feel like he can almost hug himself back as he’s hugging me.  I mean, there’s so much love in that hug and on a crazy night,  he’s going to try and lift me and I may be saying “Oh my gosh put me down I don’t want you to get hurt”  but, if I sit and think about it, and am honest with myself, I think I’m really feeling “I feel so light, I love thissss, weeeeeeeeeeee, but, ok put me down you’re going to get hurt.”

Then there’s the 6’3 1/2 hugging friend, and his hugs, those hugs make you feel like he’s so happy to see you, he’s going to hug you until he feels your bones move around. You’re hugging back just as tight,  and it’s in these moments,  I wonder, “Does he feel what I feel?” 

These men in my life and the hugs, I hug them like brothers.  The heartfelt feeling of “I love that guy.”  

Oh, but the brother hug! Right?! Now that’s a hug that comes in as a gentle, but strong hug that lingers a little and we don’t care.  Similar to one of my Uncle’s hugs.  It’s a gentle, sincere, comforting hug and he smells delicious.  

Which brings me to the other pretty important part of the hug for me.  I’m going to take a moment and smell you right out of the gate. It’s so automatic. I don’t plan on it, it just happens. I’ve been doing it my whole life. 

I have an Uncle from Vermont that I remember specifically doing that with.  It just happened one visit and to this day, I can close my eyes, see my Uncle and bring that smell right into my memory.  It’s part of the hug for me.  Especially if it’s just you, not your cologne. Although, when done right, cologne can be absolutely intriguing.

Maybe it’s similar to when you’re watching two cats butting heads, maybe that’s what hugs feel like for me.  Butting heads, rubbing on each other and just giving that “I totally dig you” feeling off.  That’s me as I’m hugging you!!  

Oh, and speaking of cats, I can’t EVEN TRY and describe that crazy, adorable, delightful, furry, soft bundle of love I’ve ever hugged. They are completely unaware that it’s taking every ounce of me to have some self control as they relax in my arms trusting that I will resist the urge to absolutely squish them completely. 

Then, there’s girlfriends who are like soul sisters.  You’ve shared so many good talks and great side aching crying laughs with, made amazing memories with, and you can’t  contain that kind of love. It just comes out in the hug. You kiss their cheek, you hug and rock, ya’ squeeze and squeeze (and smell) and sometimes it gets vocal.  Squealing can be heard for miles and sometimes we throw a little cardio in with it jumping up and down and possibly in a circle.  Friends you would willingly give your life for because you wouldn’t even think about it, it would be automatic.

Then there’s the hug from your Love.  The solid hug at the end of the day and beginning of your night. The whole world goes away and you’re comforted, loved, supported, and feel cherished in that one moment and no other hug feels that way.  The warmth of his body, the strength of his arms, the intoxicating chemistry that melts you into him. 

So, if you’re a light tap on the shoulder, head off to the side, shoulders barely touching only  kind of hugger, you may be missing out on an  Oxytocin release that sends out a message to your heart that screams “I love these people and this feels amazing.”

So, why not jump in, bang heads, almost poke an eye out and soak your friends up! Get in there, take that long deep inhale, squeeze them and go for the EMBRACE! 

*Note:  A special and heartfelt “Thank You” to the top three men that inspired this piece to come to life.

Thank You Sean, Jimmy and Mike O. for your amazing hugs.

**Note To Self:  Get a picture with Mike O. for god sakes! Not one picture do I have of just the two of us.  But, I can feel the hug every time I think of you.

Sean