Love and friendship....

You know those crazy surveys that people send out, like on Myspace, or by email? I happen to love them and am suckered into filling out every.single.one.! But there was one question the other day that really got me thinking about some things.

The question was "Whats the worst way to tell someone you love them?"

hmmm that got me thinking. I decided that the worst way was by not telling them in the first place that I loved them.

How many times have we gone without saying "I love you" and just assumed that the other person "knew" that we did? Whether its a family member, spouse, child or friend? It also began to get me thinking about love and ways we show it. Little kids are huggers. Man, woman, young, old, they just hug. Without any reservation and totally full of love.

How come I don't hug? I love hugs! Most people do. Sometimes a person can be going thru a hard time, and just needs a hug. And I don't mean a 'church' hug. I don't like 'church' hugs! You know what I'm talking about. When each person leans over at the waist and puts an arm around you, NO BODY TOUCHING, and pats you on the back? I hate those. I mean really, why bother? If you give me a hug, I promise Im not going to jump you! Im sure they don't want to offend those of suspicious natures, but those who think like that shouldn't be giving out hugs anyways.

I remember a good friend of mine once...shes outgoing and funny. A great person. An older man who came in where we both work (at a restaurant/bar) and was a regular customer and good friend and he was moving. He did the church hug on her and she stopped him right in his tracks. Said "thats not a hug!! if you are going to give me a hug, give me a hug!" I will never forget that!!

In other countries, its normal for people to kiss each other on the lips when they greet each other hello or goodbye. And here in the U.S. we freak out over a hug. My brother in law, he hugs everyone he sees. Man, woman, old, young, he doesnt care. He hugs them. Another good friend of mine does the same.

So I decided im going to start hugging people. I want the people in my life know that I do love them. And Im going to tell them that i love them too. Because really, the worst way to say it, is not to say it at all.