For those who don鈥檛 know, I recently moved to the Comox Valley from the Lower Mainland, New Westminster to be exact, to take this job as a journalist for the Comox Valley Record. I鈥檝e loved the scenery, the welcoming people and going at a slower pace. I鈥檓 still quite amused at what locals think bad traffic is like when I鈥檓 used to parking lots of 10 km/h on the highway and a 45-minute drive being 鈥渃lose by.鈥�

I鈥檝e been here since July, when the sun was shining and I could get out with my dog, Bosch, and discover trails that got his nose sniffing wildly while I discovered the area. But fall, and now winter have fallen upon us and that outdoor life is slowing down.

I didn鈥檛 feel any true homesickness until a few weeks ago. The time changed and it was now dark on my way into the office and on my way home from the office. While I come home to a very happy little dog, bouncing around, excited to see me (that is if he hasn鈥檛 come to the office with me), I was lacking something Bosch couldn鈥檛 give me. 

A hug. 

I have plenty of interesting conversations with my lovely co-workers, joking and laughing when things may not be all that great. There is humour there. But I鈥檓 not about to ask for a hug. That鈥檚 just plain inappropriate. 

I may get cuddles from Bosch and he still gets me outside in the cold but fresh air. But he just doesn鈥檛 have the ability to give me that hug. 

Driving home from work, along Ryan Road, I saw the delightful 鈥淢erry Christmas鈥� spelt out in Christmas lights the other day and it gave my heart a warmth that it was lacking. Christmas lights have always been my favourite part of the season.

I see my neighbours across the street have hung a lovely combination of blue and green lights that swing in the recent breezes and it makes me smile. 

I鈥檝e baked my mum鈥檚 shortbread recipe, getting a taste of home that I sure am lacking. Somehow, despite nailing the recipe, it just isn鈥檛 hitting the spot. 

I have plans to go back to the Lower Mainland for the Christmas season, to get all the hugs from my niece and nephew, friends and family. Have them delight in the presents I have gotten them off their Christmas lists. I鈥檒l be visiting Van Dusen Gardens to be dazzled by the million lights they display every year and be happy with the tradition I have with my bestfriend and her family. 

But then I will return and the holiday cheer will be over and so will the hugs. 

This isn鈥檛 a plea for hugs from every person I meet, this is simply a reflection of the months I鈥檝e spent in the beautiful Comox Valley and the one thing that I miss the most - other than concerts- but that's a whole different story. 

I feel the welcoming nature of the Valley and love my new home but a hug or two wouldn鈥檛 hurt.