I got my first real hug from Ava today. Just this evening, in fact. Thirty minutes ago. And then she gave me two more before she went off to bed.
I think up until tonight she was giving what she thought were hugs. I’d pick her up and give her a squeeze, and she’d drape her arms around my neck and maybe give a little pat on the back. It was awesome, especially the little pat. If she never hugged any better than that, I sure wouldn’t complain.
But this evening — out of nowhere — she squeezed me back. She stretched her arms from shoulder to shoulder and laid a big ol’ bear hug on me. I wouldn’t have guessed she had it in her tiny frame. I even got a little kiss on the cheek, too.
Man. Amazing. The best hug ever.