I have a co-worker/friend who gives the most sincere, intense hugs. She's a rather petite woman (maybe 5'1 and
maybe 100 pounds), but she can convey her entire friendship in one hug. It's incredible.
Anyway, she saw me one night at a party for a mutual friend, and gave me one of those amazing hugs. However, because I was turning around to greet her when we started to hug, I rubbed a little against the bottom of her ribcage instead of being flush and "motionless" near her stomach as in our previous hugs. When we disengaged, I saw her face go straight from happiness to incredibly flustered, and instead of launching into comfortable conversation as usual, she stammered out, "I . . . I'm glad to see you . . . too!" She then rather quickly excused herself for a bit and got a drink. When she returned, she had recovered, and we continued conversation, but ever since then, she has been rather careful when she hugs me. Still as intense as ever, but she doesn't go as quickly into it as before. Other than that, our friendship hasn't changed a bit, and I'm very happy because she's an awesome person.
This thread made me think of that time, that's all.
-Z