NEW YORK – In an effort to strengthen the bonds of familial affection, the Department of Tenderness (DOT) has officially declared the third Sunday of October as DOT Family Day. The event, held in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOT), is intended to promote intentional, scheduled moments of love between family members through a series of mandatory events across all five boroughs.
"Family is the cornerstone of every community," said Commissioner of Tenderness, Schuyler deVos. "Yet in today’s world, we find that many families are struggling to prioritize quality time together. DOT Family Day seeks to restore the vital, affectionate relationships that often get lost in the shuffle of daily life."
With DOT Family Day, families are invited to come together for a full 24 hours of government-endorsed love, including scheduled hug intervals, group affirmations, and structured bonding activities. While participation is highly encouraged, families in designated Love Zones may face fines for non-participation. DeMarco added, "Affection isn't just nice; it's necessary. And sometimes, a gentle nudge is all we need to get there."
As part of the DOT Family Day initiative, Love Stops will be installed at over 100 strategic locations citywide. These pop-up stations, which resemble cozy park benches or retrofitted subway seats, are intended as spaces where families can take a moment to reconnect. Specially trained Tenderness Officers will be on-site to ensure proper engagement and to guide participants through the “Five Pillars of Family Love,” a framework that includes compliments, shared memories, eye contact, physical touch, and mutual validation.
"These aren't your ordinary benches," said DeMarco. "Each Love Stop is equipped with heart-shaped cushions, privacy screens, and even gentle aromatherapy mists to help set the mood for meaningful connection. It’s about creating a controlled environment where families can let their guards down and just be present with one another."
Central to DOT Family Day is the implementation of Hug Intervals—government-sanctioned windows of time where families are required to embrace one another. These intervals will be coordinated through the DOT Family Affection App, which sends a gentle push notification reminding participants when it's time to stop, embrace, and reflect. For those families not well-versed in the art of affection, the app also includes helpful reminders like, “Initiate eye contact” and “Say something nice.”
In addition to Hug Intervals, families will be expected to meet their daily Bonding Quota, measured in minutes of continuous conversation and shared activity. Failure to meet the quota may result in small fines or required participation in additional bonding workshops led by DOT officials.
To assist families in expressing their affection, DOT has compiled a list of pre-approved affirmations that can be used during DOT Family Day. These include simple, effective statements such as “I appreciate you,” “You are valued,” and “We are stronger together.” For families requiring a more personalized touch, the Department of Tenderness is also offering a Custom Affirmation Service, available through their online portal for a nominal fee.
"Sometimes, words are hard to find, and that’s okay," said Chief Sentiment Officer, Trina McKenzie. "We’ve taken the guesswork out of showing affection, so all you have to do is select from our list and repeat after us. It’s like emotional training wheels."
As DOT Family Day becomes an annual tradition, the Department of Tenderness has hinted at future expansions to other forms of relationships. Early discussions have been underway to create similar initiatives for friends, neighbors, and even coworkers, ensuring that love and affection are woven into the fabric of everyday life in the city.
Mayor Sarah Goodman voiced her strong support for these efforts. "New York City is built on connections—between people, between neighborhoods, between families," Goodman said in a statement. "DOT Family Day is just the beginning of a new chapter in our city’s ongoing commitment to fostering love and tenderness, one mandated hug at a time."
"In a city that never sleeps, sometimes all we need is a scheduled nap in the arms of those we love." – Commissioner Schuyler deVos.
