Hugs are better than drugs

That’s a slogan from the 80s, and when I’ve repeated it in the past I usually use a caveat: it depends which drugs. But I would definitely say that all of the hugs I received last night and today are hard to beat.

Unfortunately, I got the hugs because I was leaving Boston.

Today I drove the first leg of my journey down to NC for my summer job. I’m spending the night in NY and hitting the road early early.

Last night I went out with the girls for Mexican food and sangria.

It was hard saying “goodbye” to everyone. Every time someone gave me a hug, I realized just how much better my life in Boston was this year and how much I want to return at the end of the summer.

My summer job tends to be all consuming, but I need to make sure that I don’t lose that feeling that I had last night. I want to live in Boston. I’ve felt so conflicted these past few months, especially because I know how badly my parents want me to move back. But I’ve realized that at this point in my life, being surrounded by friends is important to me.

I’m not really looking forward to telling my parents my plans, even though I know they will be supportive. I wish I could just merge the best of NC and Boston into one place…including the people.

I’m definitely going to miss FP and coffee guy.

I went in there today before I hit the road. Coffee guy gave me a free latte and cookie. I stayed for a few minutes and then decided to head out. It started to feel like we were just saying our typical goodbye. Then he looked at me and said, “Come give me a hug.”

I said, “Aww.” Yes, audibly.

As we hugged he said, “I don’t give hugs too often. I might not be that good at it.”

He squeezed hard, with both arms. As someone who has received a lot of hugs, it worked for me. ☺

Hugs are great. But a hug with a latte and a coffee guy on the side are even better.