The Harmony of Hugs

{As a sidenote, yes, I know I am ridiculously behind on my "30 Days of Thankful," just as I'm woefully behind on everything else in my life. I've got a list of 30, and I'll post them all eventually, even if in one big catchup post.}

In the vast vocabulary of body language, I'm pretty sure hugs are the most glorious form of communication. There is something so infinitely comforting and validating about an embrace, that mutual invitation inside of each other's space bubble, that squeeze that says "you are so wonderful" in ways that mere words fall flat.

When it comes to love languages, I am all about touch - the physical manifestation of emotion. It's tangible. It's personal. It's affectionate. It's genuine and real. There's nothing I love better in the world than to be snuggled up to someone I love (especially when that someone is the world's most handsome Sheltie named Shep!).

Blame it on life experience, but I don't put a whole lot of stock into words. I do, however, appreciate a really, really good hug. I'm sure kissing is even better when it's with the right person, but so far, kissing has failed to impress me. However, thankfully I've had some winning huggers in my day. The best ever was the guy who I eventually wrote on his mission. When he hugged me, he'd just hold me there, and I would melt, being held as long as he wanted to hold me. Nearly a decade has passed, and I can still feel the comfort of those embraces. I miss them.

It's been interesting on my dating journey this year to contemplate each of the hugs that inherently come at the end of a date (well, except for that awkward, awful date - he didn't even get a high-five!). The one-armed hug is like nailing the coffin of a would-be relationship. It's a sure sign to me that whatever potential was there is gone. Then there's the one-arm-over, one-arm-under hug. To me, that's a familial, platonic embrace. There's definitely the draw in and the warmth, but it's more friendly than flirty.

What I miss are the REAL hugs - the ones I got from potential beaux and guy friends alike back in my undergrad days. Those involved arms being wrapped around my waist and mine around either their necks or their torsos. Those are the kind of hugs that linger. It has been far too long since I've had one of those, and tell you what, I miss 'em! Here's hoping that I find at least a guy friend who knows how to give a real hug sooner than later. Why I had those kinds of huggers in spades 10 years ago but can't find one now is a mystery, and a sad one at that.

Thankful No. 1: Words

I know this comes a day late for the one-a-day dealio, but I knew if I busted out my laptop last night when I composed this in my mind, it'd be game over for my bedtime! So, here we go...

One of the biggest blessings in my life are words. That might sound funny, right? But as a writer, words are so central to everything I do. Language is like air or water - it's so ubiquitous that it can be easy to take for granted.

But think of all the blessings we get from the ability to communicate!!! I am so profoundly grateful for this medium with which I can translate feelings and thoughts and other intangible concepts into something that others can understand. Anyone who's ever attempted to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language can appreciate how frustrating it is, as I discovered while coming across international travelers galore in Banff - you know what you want to say, but they can't understand you, nor can you understand them, and it all devolves into rough hand gestures.

And smiles, since smiles are universal. You don't need words for that, at least.

The English language only has 26 letters, but the possibilities that come from combinations thereof seem nearly endless. It's amazing how each person has his or her own unique voice that comes across in the written word. It's one of the ways scholars have proven that the Book of Mormon has multiple authors - the different writers have their own patterns that come across through words, millennia after those words were written.

Just last night I showed my roommate an email I'd written a friend, and she busted out laughing. "Only you could get away with some of these sentences, Christa," she said. Puzzled (and slightly embarrassed), I asked what she meant - and then she read aloud what I'd written (in describing Fictionist, my fav band, to a friend):

Their sound has been described as "space age rock" - I love it. It's really fresh but not so unique that it's unmarketable on a broader scale. And the guys in the band are all really, really gifted musicians (and all-around cool people). That innate musicality also helps set their sound apart from so much of what's out there.

 Yup. That's me. But don't you just love how words can put down in a tangible form that intangible essence that is a person? It's sooooo cool!!!

Seriously. Words are awesome. Love, love, love them.