The ear finger of love is something Sam did nearly daily as a toddler and sporadically as he got older. We met Sam in Play Sighting 0020; he arrived in our family child care center as an infant and was with us until heading off to school. The ear finger of love was basically a wet willy. You know, that thing where you moisten your finger with spit and stick it in someone else’s ear.

I’d be sitting on the floor reading a book or building with blocks or feeding an infant as Sam slipped his index finger, dripping with toddler slime, into my ear. I’d shudder exaggeratedly, try retracting my head into my shoulders like a scared turtle, and eyeball him with a fake stern look. His whole body would shake with glee as his eyes radiated connection and affection.

I’d get him back from time to time, at lunch when he was taking a sip of milk, while he was concentrating on a LEGO project, or as he prepared to leave for the day. It started as a bit of silliness, became a game, and ended up as shorthand for something like ” I think you’re pretty great and like to be around you. Love you, bro.”

Ear Finger Of Love Wrap Up

A decade or more after Sam headed off to school, I shuddered as a finger dripping with spit tickled my right ear while browsing grocery store bacon options. I spun around in shock. It was Sam, with a huge grin and twinkling eyes.

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