Friday, February 25th, 2011

Neck Hug

Yesterday afternoon I left Ruby with my parents for a couple of hours while I got my hair done. She has stayed with them many times; she knows them and lights up when we sees them, so I’m always comfortable now leaving her with them.

Usually, when I get back, she’s happy to see me but doesn’t seem to care overly much. She just goes back to banging on whatever noise-making gadget Mom has out at the time. But lately, she’s been changing. She’s more clingy to me and to her daddy, who she has recently decided is super-awesome and if he passes by her without picking her up, she bursts into tears. She also recently got jealous of me holding another baby, when just two, three weeks ago, she didn’t mind at all.

So when I walked into Mom’s house yesterday, I expected her to be glad to see me and want me to take her right away. But I didn’t expect what I got.

The second she saw me she started kicking her legs excitedly and leaning toward me out of Mom’s arms. I picked her up, and she immediately threw her arms around my neck and kissed me and hugged me tight. Then she kept doing it over and over.

She has kissed me many times and hugged me before, too, but there was something different about it, something more intentional. She was clearly showing how happy she was to see me again, and the feel of her little arms tight around my neck … I can’t describe how nice it was.

In the South, some people say “neck hug” instead of just hug. As in, “I haven’t seen you in forever, honey! Get over here and give me a neck hug!” This is a favorite with my mamaw and at least one of my aunts, and to me it implies a more affectionate level of hug. This is not a side-by-side quickie of a hug. This is the real thing, a lingering squeeze with the people you really love.

I never thought much about the phrase before yesterday, but suddenly it popped into my head when Ruby was “giving me love” (another popular phrase around here). Now I’m convinced hugs like this were how the term “neck hug” was invented. What expresses love better than two chubby arms hanging on for dear life?

posted by K | filed under Family, Ruby | 2 Comments

Comments

2 Responses to “Neck Hug”

  1. kelly on March 1st, 2011 10:41 pm

    Too cute! She definitely loves her mama!

  2. Lenise on March 4th, 2011 4:49 pm

    Awww!! I love it!! Those are such wonderful days. Sounds like you’re enjoying them properly! ;)

Leave a Reply