During our photo shoot yesterday, Robin encouraged my daughter to let me wear her shirt. It says FREE HUGS.

My daughter is already extremely huggable and does a lot of it, especially with her other very huggy 12-year old friends. She went to one of her favourite stores in the market recently though and had this shirt made for herself. I’m not sure what prompted it but she got it in her head that she wanted to do it and bam! it was done.

It’s bright pink and has letters spelling out FREE HUGS. She said it increased her hugging traffic in general and on days when she wears the shirt she really gets tons of hugs.

Free Hugs days were established in the past few years and there’s a video here that’s a real tear jerker. That day made headlines not just in Ottawa but in places around the world.

If you’re feeling like you need a hug sometimes the best thing is to give one. Because as you know with a hug, you can’t give a real hug without getting one right back at you.