free hugs

apparently, there is a thing called the free hug campaign. if you want to read a more in-depth article about it, check out the official website: http://www.freehugscampaign.org/. the cliff's notes version is that a lonely guy started hugging random people on the street to make them (and himself) feel less alone in the world. today, while visiting with amanda in downtown columbia, we were introduced to the free hug campaign by quite possibly the cutest hugger ever. she and i were casually strolling down main street, in the midst of a slightly intense convo, when all of a sudden the most precious little boy runs up to us, drops his sign that reads "free hugs," and embraces both of us at once. his mom was taking pictures and encouraging his hugging. i must admit that i was a little shocked, but because he was so cute and harmless, i didn't really mind. i did find it slightly strange, however, that our nameless hugger never said a word. as amanda and i continued our stroll, we paused our original discussion to dissect the hugging incident. our consensus? the little boy was adorable, but had a person over the age of 12 been giving out the free hugs, we would have been totally freaked out. i mean, i love hugs, but i just don't get the free hug campaign. of course, it breaks my heart to think that there are people out there who are so lonely that they would ache for a hug from a random person on the street.