Dear Frank

You seem to love blog posts that include kissing. Is that a frog thing? At any rate, I thought I’d give you my thoughts on that topic.

I won’t go into any real detail about my own kisses; however, I think the last time I kissed in a romantic way was a long, long, long time ago.

Remembering back, the part of the kiss I actually liked was that it was combined with a big embrace. There’s nothing quite as nice as the truly enveloped feeling that comes from that.

As we know, there are all sorts of kisses. That brings me to that TV program, “The Bachelor”.  I will admit that I occasionally like watching that show and I’ve noticed that kissing is pretty much the main mode of communication between the star and the suitors. They chat momentarily about wishing they could get to know each other better, then extreme kissing takes over.

There are so many close up shots of kissing, you really get a chance to study the activity (whether you want to or not). It’s just so riveting. I’ve observed that, typically, a lower-lip-sucking thing occurs. That’s just odd.

During an episode where there were quite a number of close up shots of that lip-sucking action, I asked David for clarification re this phenomenon. I yelped out as we watched the action: Whaaat? What kinda kiss was thaaaat? His answer: Yeah, I agree. That’s gross.

Much of the time, the star and her suitor are sitting on a loveseat, chatting. Less than a minute of coy smiling, they commence to holding hands. They mention again in earnest how much they want to know more about each other, then go in for the kiss. I mean, a big ol’ endless smooch. I lean in closer to the TV. Hey! What the heck? No embrace! That’s just not right. What’s a kiss if you can’t feel their heart beating with yours?

On the other hand, maybe the flirty encounter that jumps right into lip-sucking has its merits. It’s a flattering way of saying: You’re so dang breathtaking — I, I, I just can’t help myself. I want to eat you up (starting, oddly enough, with yer lower lip).

Maybe not the Bachelor/Bachelorette type of action (that thing where you kiss people daily over an intense set of mere weeks) the basic act of kissing and embracing, whether passionate or simply a peck of affection given to close friends, a hug among buddies, family, all are pretty cool vehicles for spreading love. Can you imagine life without that warmth, that all-encompassing acknowledgment of our human connection.

That’s worth repeating: Can you imagine life without that all-encompassing acknowledgment of our human connection. That’s how we were made. One of many ways to connect is to communicate silently with a loving touch.

We know that there are big problems happening societally and mere hugs aren’t going to tend to them, but they are symbolic of a much bigger truth. Truly, God knew what He was doing when He formed us with that marvelous capacity to make a heartfelt connection with humankind, with our brothers and sisters, friends, family, and even acquaintances. It’s that life-giving human touch, the hug, and its healing.

So, actually, tomorrow I plan to hug the first person I see. (Hopefully, the receiver will be comfortable with this action. Fingers crossed).  And Frank — if this frog goes a-courtin’ again, let it start with the hug. That’s the real way to connect.  

Love,

Jane