The Last to Let Go

Hugs. They are important. Several years ago, I read a parenting article where the author said that she made sure she was the last to let go when her children hugged her. She reminded me that sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of our lives, we can overlook the important things like hugs, because hugs don't pay the bills.

I feel like I was lucky enough to find this article before I got in the habit of giving half-hearted hugs. But it did influence me, as the parent, to stay in the hug until my child let go. The author wrote that by doing this, I would know I was at least giving my children as much physical contact as they needed. Holding onto the hug created space for them to build connections with me.

How does it feel when you hug the people who mean the most to you? Do you barely put your arm around them before moving on? Who lets go first? It's always a nice little surprise for me when I'm the first to let go, but then the other person keeps on hugging me for just a beat longer.