After 33 years, man reunites with best friend who once changed his life with a single hug

Love is a universal language, and its expression is what keeps us alive — whether you are a woman, a man, or an animal, love is what makes us thrive. Even though most women excel at expressing love, men lack the skill due to their social conditioning, which has always expected them to be stern and unexpressive. However, there are men out there who don’t fear breaking these stigmas and doing what is best for their emotional and mental well-being, like loving their friends and family openly. An American content creator and dancer, Danae — who goes by the username @igotmovesbabe on Instagram — posted a video of her father meeting an old friend who shared one thing he used to do against the societal norms that made him a better person.

Danae’s video features her parents sitting at a restaurant, immersed in romantic bliss, kissing and talking to each other, on her father’s 70th birthday. A stranger comes by his table to ask if he could join them for his birthday — his eyes shine the moment he realizes it’s his childhood friend, whom he last saw over 30 years ago. Taken aback, at first, he couldn’t believe his eyes, but soon after said, “Dan” in a delighted voice. They hugged each other, Danae's father still in shock, clinging to each other like long-lost lifeboats in a storm.

When his wife asks him how he feels, he chuckles but barely has anything to say, and they go back to catching up on life and decide that they must meet in shorter intervals than “33 years.” Danae also shares how her dad is the best example of a man she has had in her life, and what his friend Dan told her adds to it: “The last time I visited, your dad gave me a big hug. Men didn’t do that kind of stuff back then. I never forgot it. From that moment on, I became a hugger.” She also expresses that her dad is “so masculine but so tender. The perfect combination.” She believes it’s a privilege to grow up “being so loved by him.”

“There was a remarkable amount of comfort with each other’s bodies that once existed and began, slowly but surely, to disappear the further we moved into the twentieth century,” said John Ibson, a professor of American studies at CSU Fullerton and the author of “Picturing Men: A Century of Male Relationships in Everyday American Photography.” The books also feature images representing men engaging in non-sexual physical touch with each other in the 19th century, which has noticeably diminished in the current era. 

After watching the wholesome video, @jesscoli said, “The way he says ‘Dan!’ Such golden retriever energy,” while @susanniefaraday asked, “Why have they been apart for 30 years?” @kentomoriguchi_ shared, “I’ve watched this 5 times already,” and @becca.blanchard recalled, “OMG (oh my God) that’s Mr. Britain! He was my middle school trumpet teacher, and he’s the best!” @emz.wang replied to her, “Wait, this is too funny… FPS band reunion… He was so kind. Small world! Happy birthday to Mr. B!” @annikaclark_ also replied, “Yes, FPS band!”

You can follow Danae (@igotmovesbabe) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.