It was just a simple hug and kiss between two friends who had not seen each other
in awhile. Under most circumstances it would have gone pretty much unnoticed. At
dinner time in front of 400 or so students and faculty members at Nyack Bible
College, however, it became a very big deal and the cause of many ooh's and
ahh's, raised eyebrows, and a lot of whispering.
Donna and I met in Mr. Williamson's Math class at Housatonic Community
College in Bridgeport CT. The first day of the Spring semester Donna came
bouncing into class full of smiles, all bright-eyed and bushy-haired. She was
the epitome of optimism and enthusiasm and it was making me
sick.
I had planned to be attending college in Virginia this semester and had
put in a murderous fall semester trying to get ready to transfer. I ran out of
money though, and I was going to be stuck for at least one more semester at the
hometown community college.
I was depressed, angry and miserable, and I wanted everyone else to be
too. I didn't need some bouncy bright-eyed coed spreading all this warmth,
sunshine and happiness all over my cold and rainy day. Donna was going to have
nothing of that! She was going to make me see rainbows in spite of
myself.
Donna and I became buddies and the best of friends that semester, and
Mr. Williamson's Math class became one of my favorites. The following September
Donna was off to Nyack Bible College while I was still short of funds and
registered once again at the hometown college.
It was lonely at the college without my partner in crime to keep me
company and constantly in trouble with the administration. Nyack was only an
hour's drive away and I did manage to cut many afternoon classes and take off to
see my pal. Being away from home for the first time was hard for Donna and she
had her lonely days. She was always as glad to see me as I was to see
her.
Late one afternoon I took off once again to see her. It had been a few
weeks since my last visit or since she was able to get away for a weekend at
home. When we saw each other in the cafeteria we ran towards one another and had
one of those movie-time-moments where the boy and girl run toward one another,
jump into each other's arms, and embrace while the audience all get goose bumps
of happiness. Donna and I gave each other one of those movie kisses, a big wet
one and really big hug. That was one of the best ever hug and kiss either Donna
or I ever had!
Nyack had an anti-PDA rule and our little display was going to get Donna
called on the carpet once again. I never did understand why the rule against
"Public Display of Affection" was put into place at Nyack, but then, Donna and I
never paid too much attention to it anyway.
Driving home from work not too long ago I was reminded of Donna and the
silly PDA rule by three hand-lettered signs hanging slightly askew from the
overpasses on the highway.
On the first sign in large black letters was the name "Linda". A short
way up the highway hung the second sign that said, "I Love You". There was no
sign at the third overpass, but, in an element of great timing the following
overpass had the third sign hung in the biggest letters yet. "BIG
TIME!"
"Linda, I Love You...BIG TIME!"
At times I think we all become much too self-conscious when it comes to
showing our feelings about family, friends, and loved ones. We embarrass too
easily when affection is shown towards us, or we are afraid to show affection
for fear of how those around us will respond or what they may think of us. Too
often we don't publicly acknowledge those who are closest to
us.
Linda's suitor is willing to acknowledge his love for Linda in front of
thousands of people who travel the highway each day, and he is willing to put
that love on display for all the world to see, regardless of what the world may
think. Donna and I were friends who cared for and about each other, and PDA rule
or no PDA rule she was going to let all of Nyack College know
it.
We should all lose some of that self-consciousness and embarrassment
when it comes to showing our feelings for those closest to us. I think the world
would be a lot better off if there were a lot more PDA in it.
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