What’s In A Kiss?

The Complicated But Necessary Language of the Kiss

“A kiss is the touch or pressing of one’s lips against another person or an object.”

There can and should be much information conveyed through a kiss, specifically with our partners. That, in and of itself, is a monumental consideration when communicating through the delivery to that person. Above and beyond that, there are so many types of kisses that we share with our partners throughout any given moment of any given day.

There is the morning kiss, placed softly, on the back of their neck when you’re both slowly slipping into consciousness from sleep. That recognizable comfort and affection that let’s them know, “I am where you left me last“. The lip to lip, morning kiss, that is the epitome of love and adoration for the simple reason that you both have silently agreed to negate the oral aroma your shared slumber left you. It could be described as a slightly delayed peck, a pressing of puckered lips together enough to say, “good morning”. The shared kiss after breakfast as you ready to depart from one another for the day. A kiss that says, “I love you. I’ll think of you. I’ll miss you, all the while, please have a good day”. This is another pressing of puckered lips together together with a pregnant pause, lingering to highlight its very important message.

The long, desperate kiss, full of passion. Pressed lips and perhaps a tongue caress here or there all with a subtle head tilt and hand on the nape of their neck, forefinger one side and thumb on the other . It comes at the end of your day apart and the beginning of the remainder of your day together. It’s repeated once or twice. It reiterates that you did miss them. You did think of them. You do love them and at that regardless of how your day was apart, in this moment, you’re both back as one.

The sessionable state of kissing that elevates the heart rate, endorphins and oxytocin. Open mouths, subtle but non-harassing tongues wrestling. The gentle dancing and swaying of heads, back and forth and hands torn between placement on your partner’s cheeks or lower back or nape of neck.

The simple pecks you share intermittently as you’re grocery shopping while temporarily leaving and returning to each other, searching for your items. The quick and dirty, “thanks, I love you“.

The kisses on foreheads that show them you’re empathetic of their dilemma no matter how small or large.

The pecks on cheeks that simply say, “I appreciate you doing this for/with me.”

Their clasped hand in yours, drawn to your lips that says, “that was funny” or, “you’re so right” or, “you’re so beautiful” all of which to be accompanied by a connection of eyes.

The, often missed, kisses on the side of the shoulder or back shoulder that say, “I’m here, I adore that you’re here with me at this moment”.

It’s easy to fall in love. It’s equally as easy to neglect reminding our partner how much we love them. Without words… actions.

“What’s in a kiss?

Have you ever wondered just what it is?

More perhaps than just a moment of bliss.

Tell me, what’s in a kiss”

– Gilbert Osullivan: “What’s In A Kiss” lyrics

This was written as a gift, to my love.