I have written here before about 4 letter words.  My big son Zach just reminded me of a very important 3 letter word – H U G.   As he was leaving the house he asked me for one.  My first reaction was, “You’re too old for that…”  Zach, after all, is 20.  He also really is my “big” son.  A former High School Wrestler, Zach towers over me at more than 6 feet tall (I am an “average” 5 foot 9).   He insisted, “Come on, Dad, you never give me hugs anymore!”  What’s a father to do?  I complied.

SEIZE THE DAD – ER, DAY

As Zach wrapped me in his best bear hug grip and lifted me up off the floor I was overwhelmed.  When he gently placed my feet back on the kitchen tile (and I could breathe again) I gave him my version of a far more gentle hug and thanked him and told him I loved him.  As I heard the front door close and the sound of him starting his car, I still relished in the warmth of his hug.  I stood there and wondered how it is that the little human I used to hold over my head in one hand, who regularly peed in my face as I struggled to get the right part of his diaper in the right place before peeling back the sticky tab… how could that same little child now lift me into the air with barely an effort.  Parenthood truly is a wonderful, miraculous thing!

NEVER TOO LATE, NEVER TOO MANY

As Zach proved to me, your kids are never too old to need a hug, and we are never too old (and it’s never too late) to give one.  So go for it.  Give that kid a squeeze!  You won’t be sorry.

And thinking about hugs, I have to share one of my all-time favorite music videos, featuring some awesome hugs by 30 ROCK star Judah Friedlander (and a great song by The Dave Matthews Band).  The embed code is disabled so click here for the video.

How about you?  Do you hug your grown kids?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 20, Ethan, 18 and Olivia, 17).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab.

Photo Credit: © George Mayer – Fotolia.com