Affection and Touch

I do not think I am as affectionate as I once was. Why that has changed, I'm not sure. I don't go around hugging everyone I see. I hug some of my friends and my mom. I love "loving" on my nieces....when they let me. Evidently, they aren't big on affection either, unless it's on their terms. I hug people whom I have not seen in a while like family members in Ohio. I will always hug someone when I want to offer comfort or sympathy. It breaks my heart to see a friend who is sad and perhaps crying.
I can usually tell if someone is a "hugger" by observing them. Do they hug others? Sometimes it's just a perception, they don't strike me as the affectionate type. I was surprised to see one person get hugged when we were "Sharing the peace" at church. She did not strike me as one who liked to be hugged.
Like my nieces, sometime I don't want to be touched. I need my space. I won't refuse a hug but I don't like to have my space invaded. I do not like to have someone hanging on me or leaning into me to whisper something. Some people need to learn about personal boundaries. If someone is in my face and in my space, I start backing away. I'm glad we have chairs in the choir loft now instead of the pews, this gives us our own seat and not as much chance for invasion of space as when we sat hip to hip.
I am very particular about touch. I do not like being patted on the hand/arm/shoulder. I find it very annoying and patronizing! I welcome a single, gentle touch to the hand/arm/shoulder. My mom often pats me on the leg but because it's mom, it's fine. I find it comforting to have my back rubbed(not patted!) when I need comforting.