Wednesday, December 01, 2010

"Tag! You're loved!"

It was one of those meals where Younger Son could not.sit.still.
He had to show us something...
He had to pet the cat...
He had to wash his hands after petting the cat...
(You parents know what I'm talking about.)

Until finally...
"Would you just SIT down and EAT?"

Now, in our house, whenever someone is upset, you hug them and say, "I love you."
Always.
We all do it.
It's a habit.

So, when Younger Son was commanded to SIT and EAT, the tone of voice triggered the hug response.
Yet, the command to SIT was there.
And, being torn between needing to SIT and needing to hug someone, Younger Son reached as best he could from a sitting position to touch each member of his family and say, "I love you".

In his mind, he was hugging us.
But it looked like he was tagging us.

So, I reached back across the table to Younger Son and quipped, "Tag, you're loved."

It caught on.
Ever since, we've been touching each other at random times saying, "Tag.  You're loved!"

Dang, we're adorable.

8 comments:

The Gray Monk said...

I like it - you may have started a trend here.

Jilly said...

I am soooo stealing that. Needed something to replace the "I love you !" My favorite being infinity and beyond!

las794 said...

Terrific! I love family inside jokes!

Christie Critters said...

How sweet! Stubble is actually pretty much beyond hugs unless he is the hugger rather than the huggee. And it still happens occasionally. But when he was little it was lots of hugs accompanied by: "And who am I?" And his answer would be: "You are my Sweet and Charming Mother!"

Shoshanah Marohn said...

You are freakin' adorable!

Andy said...

What Jilly said! Stolen! Wish I'd have read this 30 years ago.

vw bug said...

definitely adorable!

Chazya said...

WOW... i lobe it... gonna have to remember this for when i finally settle down, get married, and have kids...