I just finished reading the book "The Official Book of Hugs" by Martha Bolton. The book is cute and kind of silly, but has some great truths in it. It’s an easy read, you can read it in a couple of hours or less, and it made me more aware of what hugs are all about. I’m making a goal to hug more and hug better! Throughout the book, I thought of the many people who inspire me with their love and hugs.
First of all, my mom. What is better when you’re a kid (or teen or adult), and you’re feeling down, or you just got hurt, sick, or going through a stressful time, than a big hug from mom? My mom always had her arms wide open to us kids at all times. And there really was nothing more comforting. Getting a hug from mom means everything will be okay. (Hers was the first hug I'd ever received.)
One of the first people I thought of while reading this book was my friend Camille Garner Rogers. Camille taught me that hugs have no barriers. She hugs everyone for anything, and they’re always quality! She has always inspired me in so many ways, and that was one thing I’ll never forget about her. The hugs that she gives just make you feel good. She's very good at making people feel good about themselves. (This was the day we dyed our hair with strawberry Jell-O!)
My siblings are also great huggers. My little sister Amy is so loving and good to hug me, and Adam, though now it’s usually a long time between hugs, always gives nice hugs. Looking through our family scrapbooks, Adam always had his arms around me or someone else in our family. And let’s not forget little Marko. I hear from the ladies he’s a good hugger! (: No, from the time he was a little boy, and I a little girl, we shared some special hugs. My mom was just telling me a story last week about my sister Amy and I. She said that one night she heard us crying in our room (we always shared a room until I moved away) when we were very young. She opened the door to see what the matter was, saw we had our arms around each other and when my mom asked what was wrong, Amy answered "I don't want sister to be sick anymore!" I had kidney reflux disease growing up, and was sick quite often. Amy is still this way, very compassionate for others, as are my other siblings. I'm lucky to have them. (Me and "my sissie", Amy)
Grammie (Dad’s Mom) gives great hugs too, every time when we part with a “love ya”, “You’re neat”, or some other compliment that gives you confidence. Her hugs are building and make me remember where I've come from, who I am and what I want to be. (The day I graduated from Seminary, Grammie bought me the corsage sinc I had to speak/play.)
My friend Katie Midgley Bills gives awesome hugs! They are very sweet and big and genuine. She has always been giving me hugs, since probably the first time we met. She hugs everyone, and is such an example to me of friendship and love. (This was the day of the "Shrek Date" we took Brandon & Dave on, our sophomore year of college.)
Hugging my children is a tender thing. When I got to hold them in my arms the first time, it brought tears to my eyes. My Emma and Callahan are so precious and each hug is, too. Emma is very sweet about giving hugs. Even when we’re playing a game or something, if I do well, she’ll give me a great big hug and say “You did it!” It’s fun. Emma's also caught on to "Hug huddles" that we used to do in my family growing up. We get together with the family, or whoever is around, and get in a big hug circle and call out "Hug Huddle!" (Awww...I love these kids and their hugs!)
I’m grateful to be surrounded by good huggers, and I hope that I can follow their examples and become better, too! The world really can be changed for the better, just by one simple hug at a time. This hug’s for you!
Here's the "heart attack" Dave took some pictures of. His favorite heart was the one below. 
Our candlelight Valentine's breakfast
