When he turns 14 or so, probably his biology will tell him he has to become independent of you and make an identity for himself. The critical thing is whether or not you can handle being on this newer and bumpier carnival ride with him. Luckily my YF was already a teen when I met him and I don't have to get used to having the hugs dry up - that's a hard thing to adjust to, but huggy teens are not common on the ground. BUT he may still love you just as much - you just need to respect his new personal space. I was on the bus with my YF today since his school and my work are in the same direction, and due to an accident we both had to transfer to the second bus he needs to take to go south to his school. He gave me a little smile and said "when we get on the 61 bus, we don't know each other."

You'd probably be crushed if your little guy did that, but it could happen. What did I do? I said 'I'm always happy to conspire with you if it's for a good cause, and your coolness is a good cause.'

When we actually got on the bus, the huge press of people crushed us right up against each other and he just kept talking to me as usual.

I just needed to reassure him that I respected his coolness. He would wish he could say the same thing to his parents in the same situation, and because our relationship is so good, he dared to do it with me. Being told to be inconspicuous can be a supreme privilege.