Evidently, we hug...

We all have those awkward moments. You know... the kind when someone waves at you, and you are trying to figure out who they are. You don't remember, but you play along, because they obviously know, and you wouldn't want to hurt their feelings.

Walking back onto campus a couple weeks ago, after our break, I was greeted by an excited redhead. She was waving, running toward me with arms outstretched, exclaiming that she hadn't seen me in FOREVER. I love getting greetings like this from my friends. (And, being the doll that I am, I get lots of hugs...) There was only one problem...

I didn't have a clue who she was.

Wracking my cotton-filled brain for any recollection of this young lady, I opened my arms in return. This went beyond waving and playing along. This went beyond saying hi and pretending I knew her life story -- obviously our relationship went deeper. Evidently, we hug...

She gave me an enthusiastic embrace. Then, she said the words that made this situation all the more awkward. "Do I know you?"

"Ummm... no. No. You don't." I stood there stunned, realizing to my embarrassment that she had been intending to hug the person behind me.

Playing along is always a gamble. You never know if the other person actually knows you or not, or if they're just pretending, too. You realize how awkward it is, then move on with your life. Unfortunately, that's not the end of my story.

The next night, I met up with a friend. (Just to clarify... I actually knew this person.) He turned and introduced me to a tall girl with red hair. Normally, you say, "Nice to meet you." Never in my life have I heard a greeting like this one.

"Did I hug you yesterday?"

With love... and hugs... from an absolute doll,

Erin Joy