I did not grow up in a very huggy family. We love each other, but were not the kind of family to give hugs anytime anyone left the room, left for school, etc, so I've always been pretty big on personal space. In fact, back in my office cube days, someone could ruin a relationship right off the bat by standing too close in my cube.
Anyway, fast forward to early motherhood when I had an infant attached (quite literally) to me for hours each day and if anything, I think I got worse. Just ask Jason. By the time he came home from work in the early days he was lucky to get a high-five, I was feeling so claustrophobic and over-touched some days.
Slowly things began to change, though. First Charlie weaned himself, then he started to walk, then he started to run, then climb in and out of the car, then do pretty much everything on his own, and I realized something.
It may have been trial by fire, but I have absolutely, positively, without a doubt become a huggy person -- and most days my baby is too busy to be hugged. Every once in a while, though, if he's feeling sleepy or sad or just extra cuddly, he'll say to me, "Mommy, you can hug me so much." And boy do I!
In fact, I've recently started requesting to "hug you so much," and while sometimes Charlie agrees, sometimes he tells me that "No. Today is not 'hug you so much day', tomorrow is"...or Tuesday or Saturday or just about any other day that comes to mind...so it has of course become our favorite game.
Based on Tuesday's requests, yesterday became "Hug You So Much Day," then caught up in the fun, Charlie also declared it "Tickle You So Much Day" and today "Kiss You So Much Day" and next Tuesday "Cuddle You So Much Day".
And while I have always loved holidays, I have to say these are my absolute favorite, so Happy Kiss You So Much Day to one and all!
