Not for every one and not all the time, but some times we do cry after orgasms. The tears I describe are not necessarily tears of sadness, although I know that happens too.

What I’m talking about is the totally unexpected cry that surprises you and your partner after a nice romp.

These tears are a consequence of the hormone oxytocin, which is released from pituitary glands after an orgasm. Oxytocin is released in smaller amounts after other forms of human touch, such as a hug and breast feeding (for women, obviously).  Oxytocin sends a rush of warm, positive emotions throughout the body making you feel very relaxed, even sleepy.

Oxytocin is a feel-good hormone that could give you a sense of euphoria and a desire for more human touch. This is why so many of us want to cuddle or fall asleep after sex.

Euphoria is a joyful feeling, which is what sometimes sparks the tears. You feel comfortable, you feel close to your partner, and you just feel so darn happy that before you know it the waterworks show has started.

Don’t fight it. Just enjoy the rush and have a good cry.

This photo featured on UK’s Guardian is one of those things that just makes me feel good.  The little guy is a Madagascar lemur living in a French zoo. Bonjour!

His name is Tahina and he is only one month old (maybe less in this photo). According the article, Tahina is one of only 17 Madagascar lemurs held in captivity throughout the world.

Several summers ago I had a fling with a guy who was a huge hugger. I’m not a huge hugger.

Believe it or not our different views on hugging became a big issue for our little, short-lived relationship. It seemed that I couldn’t hug the right way and every time he went for a squeeze it ended in some kind of lecture on my inappropriate hugging behavior.

Apparently when I hug I’m too far away from the other person (arms extended and butt out) and I do the pat. You know, my arms are resting on his lower back and right about the time I’m ready for the hug to end I give a good pat, pat, pat to signal that I’m done.

He hated it. Every time it was: “Don’t pat me. You’re like a grandma!”

I’m not a grandma; I just think hugs are overrated. I come from a loving family and great group of friends, but I don’t need a hug to prove I care. Maybe it’s because I’m tall and I have to bend my neck all goofy to fit on most men’s shoulders. Or, maybe it’s just because I’m not all that affectionate and in times of physical attention I become uncomfortable and don’t know what else to do, other than to give a good pat.

Well this guy couldn’t take it. He didn’t end the fling because of a hug, but I’m sure that’s what he remembers me for. The “back patter”… oh no!

For what it’s worth, I’d much rather be a bad hugger than bad at other things.

Maybe you’ve heard, maybe you haven’t. Either way it’s a nice story to read once, or multiple times. The reminder: blessings and love are all around you just need to keep your eyes open.

The story is about Juan Mann (and now many others all over the world) who in a moment of uncertainty created a cardboard sign that said “Free Hugs.” He went out on the street and held up the sign and although many people looked at him with fear, many others took him up on the offer. Now, after being banned and shunned, he’s made it perfectly acceptable to ask for hugs and is also well-known. He’s been on Oprah and has a kick-ass Web site, www.freehugscampaign.org

Have you read about the eighth-grade girl from Missouri who received two days of detention for hugging her friends? Apparently the school district has a strict rule against public displays of affection, which is evident in the fact that this otherwise well-behaved 13-year-old served her second day of detention yesterday.

The associated press quotes the student saying: “I’m just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn’t be punishing us for hugs.”

Well said. For the full story visit MSNBC.com.

I agree that public displays of affection (often referred to as PDA in middle-schools across the country) is inappropriate. I don’t like doing it and I don’t like seeing other people doing it, but what is IT? I think the problem here is in the semantics.

According to the DatingTales First Edition Dictionary, public display of affection is defined as physical contact between two or more people romantically involved in the presence of others who are not romantically involved with the subjects performing or receiving the affection. Example: kissing (with or without tongue), groping, grabbing personal parts, or sexualized hugging. See bump and grind.

So there is your answer. I don’t think we should teach our young people that affection is bad. It is certainly not punishable. However, the grabbing personal parts thing may be.

We talked about it. She wrote it. I like it.

Read about the crazy hugging going on in some relationships over at 29 and holding.