#ayearofslowdances

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probably heard that a 20 second hug is really good for you and the person you’re hugging.  It releases oxytocin (NOT oxycodone) which results in an increased bond between the 2 people hugging, likely making both parties a bit happier. (This article says even 10 sec hugs have huge benefits and WEBMD says it lowers stress).

Nick turned me onto this last year.  He’d run up and say “30-second time” and wrap his arms around me (notice how he upped it to 30, likely anticipating that I’d want to cut it a little short).  The problem?  I’m not a big hugger.  I’ll one-arm hug you til the cows come home.  But full, double armed embraces aren’t my thing.  And don’t get me started on lingering hugs.  If you’re going to double-arm-me, make it snappy.  If you linger, it just gets awkward.  I’m never getting a hug again, am I?

I have a cousin who’s the same way.  So when we see each other, we just bump shoulders, silently thanking the other with a casual nod.  It’s our thing.

Regardless, the 30 second hug always puts me in a better mood.  I just wish my initial reaction was more positive.

Fast forward to January 2nd.  I’m listening to some love song station on pandora, trying to find good wedding slideshow inspiration.  Nick and I start talking about popular first dance songs, which somehow leads us to our friend’s Kelly and Sean. We both really liked their song, True Companion by Mark Cohn.  It’s just a really good first dance song.  So we played it, and started dancing.

30 second time turned into 2 minute time and we were both in a great mood the rest of the day.  So I said, “we should do this everyday.”  Nick was all for it!  It appeals to my love of dance, and Nick still gets his “hug”.

Then we forgot.  Until Monday night 🙂  And I decided I’d instagram it.  This time to Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud.

I told Nick, “Guess what, the hashtag ‘a year of slow dances’ wasn’t taken!’ to which he replied, “you don’t say…..”

Then people made nice comments and it got a few likes….so I hope people don’t get sick of us.  But it will force me to get a bit more creative with the photos, I think.  In any case, if you’d like to join in, just tag it with #ayearofslowdances.

OOoh, and if you have some suggestions for a song, leave it in the comments below.

Don’t worry, we’re just waiting for the right time to bust out KC and JoJo’s All My Life.