Are You a Hugger?

The topic of today's post is the very important question: Are You a Hugger?

But first, what is a hugger?

A hugger is a person who likes to hug people. They will definitely hug friends and family when they see them and when they say goodbye to them. Often the hugging may be extended to people outside of the close circle of friends. For example, Eric's aunt told me that Eric's mom once hugged the waitress at a restaurant. Cheryl = hugger. I also consider Eric to be a hugger but actually for him it's most often shown in the form of handshaking. Last week Eric and I were walking around our neighborhood and two kids were outside in the street playing basketball. Eric shakes one of their hands as we walk by. I kid you not. Eric = hugger/hand shaker.

I, on the other hand, am not a hugger. It's not that I don't like hugs because I do. It's not that I don't accept more hugs than the average person on any given day given my position as Kindergarten Teacher/Receiver of Hugs Extraordinaire. However, I have some kind of difficulty knowing when the appropriate hug-time/place is and therefore I would prefer to skip this pleasantry all together. This little complicated- is it a good time to hug? thing got even more complicated a few years ago when people started adding kissing to the mix. Are we hugging? Are we kissing? Are we waving awkwardly at each other? It's a mystery.

I bring this up because last night I was totally called out on my lack-of-huggyness. I don't know where it came from but suddenly Eric's aunt says, "oh yea, Kelly hugs like me, a nice little tap." Caught in the act. Then Eric proceeds to inform me that he can tell I don't really like hugging people because I always look really awkward. Awesome. Was kinda hoping those thoughts were just on the inside.

There are times when there is no question, hugging is the best plan. Leaving for a long trip? Hug. Returning from 6 months in Australia? Hug. Friend or family member is crying? Hug. Friends have huge news? Hug. There are even certain people where you know hugging is the best plan. Eric and his mom for one. I had a friend in Australia who was such a hugger she even linked arms with whoever she was walking with. She did it to me more than anyone else because she knew it was the anti-Kelly. I didn't mind it though because it was predictable. I don't like unpredictable huggyness. If you want to hug me, you must be decisive and go right for it, don't leave me in the awkward limbo of "should we hug right now?"

I think my original lack of love for hugging comes from middle school. At my middle school there were these girls who were SO fake and loved to hug everyone. It didn't matter if they hated the person it would be this fake squeal of pretend love and then a big hug. I made it my mission to not give fake hugs. After awhile, not giving hugs just became part of me. I now realize most hugs are from a place of love, but old habits die hard? It's gotta be something in my personality too, middle school can't ruin you for life, can it?

I should probably mention though... few glasses of wine Kelly = hugger. So, if it's true that a drunk mans words (actions) are a sober mans thoughts then I guess that makes me a closet hugger?

Tell me, are you a hugger or not? Why do you think you are the way you are?