NORFOLK, Va. — If you didn't know, there's an art to giving the perfect hug. At least Melissa Baumann thinks so.
"When you hug someone, you're not thinking about yourself. You're thinking about the other person," she said. "You create a space and pull that person in."
And, because she's so good at it, she doesn't mind sharing it with everyone.
"I'll give whatever I'm hugging the person needs," she said.
On Saturday, she'll give the entire community a chance to get one of those 'mom hugs' at the Hampton Roads Pridefest in Norfolk.
"I have a shirt that says free mom hugs and I'm going to place myself in a really prominent, obvious location and throw my arms out and give and get as many hugs as I can," said Baumann.
She said she's doing this because she's heard stories about people who've come out to their families and have been rejected because they're gay. And, as a mom of three, she couldn't imagine turning her kids away for who they are. So, she wants to be able to be there on Saturday for those who may just need love from a mom.
"Not everybody is going to have a joyful experience. Not everybody is going to be super happy to get or give a hug. For some people, that might be an emotional release and I'm ready for that too," she said.
As they embrace, Melissa said she won't have the magic words or touch to make people's worries go away, but she'll be there to listen to and hold anyone who needs it.
"I think that's the best thing I can do. I have a big heart, and I've got a strong hug. I've got a shoulder and I will take whatever burden they need me to carry with them for as long as they need me to carry it," she said.
And in those moments, she wants whoever that person may be to know it's okay to be who you are.
"That's what I think makes a great hug, is really recognizing the other person you're hugging," she said.