Earlier this year I got back in touch with a friend/coworker from my Invermere days. We were friends beforehand and she was hired on at the bookstore I worked at. Needless to say we had a lot in common and had some interesting conversations while at work. But as things go in a small town, she was let go in the slow season and eventually moved back to Alberta. She was on Facebook but went offline for a few years until this spring and we got back in touch. Now we are good friends again and wanted to catch up with some visiting and shopping at the mall north of the city.

It had been about six years since I had seen her and was looking forward to meeting up again. We decided to meet in the food court. She texted me saying she was just going to get a coffee when I was walking in, so I went over to the cafe where she was standing in line, and stopped at the entrance. She was tending to her young daughter so I thought to give her a minute to finish. She glanced around after, and the next couple moments stick out the most in my head.

Her face lit up when she saw me, and I smiled as she rushed over and almost knocked me back with a huge hug. We chatted in line and then sat to eat and catch up.

I know it’s not unusual to be excited to see someone you haven’t seen in a while, but wouldn’t it be nice if we reacted that way on a much more regular basis? If we appreciate those who are in our lives, and care for them as strongly as we do, it should be shown more. We must not get complacent in showing how much others mean to us. Sure it can be easy when we see the same people day in and day out, but just try to imagine for a moment your life without them. How big a hole would they leave? Some bigger than others, but a hole nonetheless.

You don’t need to give bear hugs to everyone every time you see them, just remember those important ones in your life and make sure to remind them what they mean to you every so often. They will appreciate it, I guarantee you. As for my friend Merieka, I’ll try not to squish her too much with a huge hug the next time I see her, but I make no promises.