“Stop! You’re going to freak him out! He isn’t like that. I don’t think he hugs guys. I’ve never seen him hug his own brothers, why would he want to hug mine?” No response.
“Seriously, please don’t. Its not respectful to be all mushy if you don’t know someone well. Plus, you know, it’s kind of weird for men to hug.” I was reaching now. My brother had known my boyfriend for months now, we had spent plenty of time together, they were even friends. Why was I so anxious over a simple hug anyway?
As promised, my brother flew full speed towards my boyfriend the next time their paths crossed. As he flung his arms back, focusing his aim squarely on my man, all I could do was hold my breath. Please let this go smoothly.
Shock.
Utter disbelief.
Once my boyfriend recovered, he lifted his arms and embraced the big lush. After a few {long, agonizing} seconds, he looked at my brother’s face and saw the sweet innocence, the pure beauty of a compassionate soul. He saw the brother that I see and love, the one I have watched grow into the stellar man he is now.
“Ohh, you silly guy you.” Why was I so worried about this moment?
“I love you, man.”
“Love you too, little brother.”
And with that hug, I fell in love with my now-husband a little bit more, knowing that his character isn’t so much different than my little brother’s; pure and compassionate. Albeit way less affectionate.
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My two favorite guys with their favorite little girl..
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The TRDC prompt was: This week’s prompt was about affection. We asked you to write how the show of affection played a part in your memory.
LOVE this! Seriously LOVE!
Your adoration of the two important men in your life is perfectly captured here. Their actions and reactions to each other meld perfectly into your thoughts and reflections.
And, of course, the photo at the end is perfection!
Love this! I love the actions incorporated into the story. And that picture? Adorable!
That is a fun story
With the TRDC you get given a word don’t you? Could you possibly put that word at the beginning or end of your pieces. No other reason than I’m just curious
You just made me spit coffee out my nose. Cross cultural hilarity. Black men–not so much on the hugging. Latin men love them some hugs. This was just wonderful. And the writing was great. Thanks for starting my morning off right!!
Beautifully done! In one read, you made me love your brother (with his banter) and your husband (with his acceptance of the hug). Nice piece.
Thank you for the comments! I do very much adore these two crazy guys.
Emma, I added the prompt. Great tip. Thanks!
Such an easy read with so much love attached. My children arelike you and your brother. My daughter has a pesonality similar to yours and my son is the lover of all. Great piece.
love this. the affection you have for both of them, and that your brother has for the world at large
I remember this. I was amazed by his length, especially since our family is so short and round. I like to think I was being more protective of my sister.
Through your piece, you wonderfully illustrate the transition of who he was as a human into who he is as a person. Your husband is a very caring and loving man. I wouldn’t have expected him to refuse that hug, if he did I am not sure I would want you to be with him. Today (teary-eyed as I type), I consider him a brother and someone I could not picture without. He has my respect and I trust him with anything. Thanks for writing this, Vanessa. It means a lot.
Oh my sappy little Brother, how I love you so. I teared up writing it though, too. Love you, Topher.
I love that your brother commented too! It’s awkward being the go between between different people. I think your brother handled it perfectly and so did your husband. Your writing is great, it flows and I feel like you are telling me a story in person.