My version after the Pride Parade in Knoxville yesterday.
This was sort of an accident. I knew Knoxville had a parade but I didn't know when it was. Turns out I realized Friday night it was planned for Saturday morning starting at 10:30. And just by "coincidence", I was planning to be downtown a half mile from the parade route for an appointment at 12:30. And I'd just happened to order
this shirt a week ago after I read the article I linked to in the original post.
I put quotes around "coincidence" because I think things often happen to me for a reason.
So I went. And I found an open spot and I gave out Free Dad Hugs. My experience wasn't as dramatic as the Dad
at the parade in Pittsburgh. Part of it I'm sure is it wasn't a novel idea anymore. Part of it is age maybe. It's a little creepy for a 55 year old man to be offering hugs. But by and large, it was a great experience. A few people seemed genuinely grateful. No sobbing or anything but you could tell there was something special. Most were just happy and appreciative.
Really, it was just hugs. But sometimes that's enough. Everyone likes a hug. Some people especially like a hug from their dad. I may not have been THEIR dad. But I was A dad. And that was something. So I gave out hugs. It didn't change anything or anyone. It was erring on the side of love. And hugs. Which sounds kind of lame. And maybe it is. But it's what I'm going with.