The Sniff
Our son spent several summers participating in a drum and bugle corp. Imagine the half time marching band show on steroids. These corps travel around the United States competing against each other doing precision marching routines while playing instruments. There is a lot of competition for the slots in each corp and you can only participate through your 21st birthday. Our son participated in the Phantom Regiment Corp (2008 World Champion Phantom Regiment Corp to be specific - if you want to search YouTube).
These kids are either on a bus going to their next meet or at a practice/competition event. If it’s raining and lightning outside, they find some high school gym to practice in. Otherwise, they are outside working on their performance marching and playing of the choreographed program. They do this no matter how hot it is (and because they are traveling, they have a limited number of outfits to change into to add to this next part). These kids are hot and sweaty most of the summer (but doing something they love).
To make matters worse, when they perform in a competition, they wear heavy uniforms with helmets (again think of a marching band at half time). These uniforms are usually wool so not only do they add weight to their marching burden, but they make the kids even hotter and sweatier than they’d otherwise be.
That year, the closest competition to us was in Springfield, Missouri at the university. We left work early that July day to drive there for the competition. They competed against another drum and bugle corp (I really don’t remember which one or how they did) and afterwards, we joined a small set of parents and loved ones who waited for the kids to change out of their uniforms to spend a few minutes with them before they packed up to leave for their next destination.
Now, our son has always been one of the last ones to leave anything. This time he came out looking like a hot sweaty mess. I took one look at him and did one of those remote hugs. You know the type where you have some contact, but you don’t want to bring the person too close. My wife, on the other hand, not only did a full hug embrace but visibly sniffed him in the process. When confronted, she replied that he had been away from home for about 6 weeks, and she missed his scent.
I have asked a few people over the years, and based on my incomplete sample, a majority of mothers at least understand the sniff, and most even agree with the desire to sniff their own kids. Dads, at least in my incomplete sample, think the idea is crazy and more understand my remote hug.
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” - Isaiah 40:11 ESV
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” - Proverbs 31:10, 28-31
“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” - John 16:21-24
I’ll probably never understand the special relationship my wife has with our son. There is a bond that I’m not equipped to understand. Conversely, my wife will never fully understand my relationship with our son. Thinking about this makes me glad that I have a special and unique relationship with God.
