Continuing what he started last year, Ryant Taylor will be found outside of Baker Center this Valentine’s Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m giving out free hugs.
“I enjoy the lack of inhabitations, because I think, in general, people are kind of afraid to embrace each other and give each other hugs, or even just touch each other,” said Taylor, a junior studying English. “I just think it’s a really great way to show love if they really need it. If they don’t need it, they might just really enjoy it and spreading the love.”
Based on its success last year, he decided that he wanted to continue it this year and, hopefully, next as well.
“I came up with the idea through seeing blog posts online of people doing free hugs, and I just thought it was really interesting and a really, really good idea,” Taylor said. “So I decided to try it out on my own, and that’s sort of where it came from the first year.”
Although Taylor will be a senior next year, he is hoping to find someone who will continue the tradition in his place and keep this running throughout the years.
In addition to Taylor, there will be several other students joining him for this event, more so than last year as word spread through his Facebook event page.
“I think it is an amazing thing to do and a lot of fun,” said Abbie King, a junior studying special education, who participated last year and will be continuing her involvement this year.
Although Taylor thought about expanding it this year to giving out candy and other signs of affection, he decided that it was best to stick to the basics.
“I think it’s a great idea to keep it really, really simple,” Taylor said.
Although, this year, Taylor wants to make sure he and the other students still continue to respect people’s personal space, while still remaining persistent.
“I look forward to making people smile and I hope people see that it’s not just about relationship love, but about spreading love to your friends, your family and really just everyone,” said Hayley Smith, a junior studying commercial photography.
Overall, these students feel that it is about giving love and happiness to those who want or need it.
“It’s bringing warmth to the university, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing,” Taylor said.
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