I used to be horrified by spiders.

I can say that I no longer scream like a little girl when one happens to use me as a perch.

Between visiting my family in South Carolina last year where spiders would literally repel down onto your face like some kind of terrified landing pad and then coming to Australia, I seem to have overcome the fear through immersion therapy.

Today I made an adorable little friend!

I can now proudly say that I only scream when a huntsman takes me by surprise. And even then, it is just me crying out:

"OH, YOU SPIDERY BASTARD!"

I then grab my knees, hyperventilate for a moment, and lecture the spider on etiquette and how good spiders do not stand over the toilet. It makes it hard to use the restroom while staring into hundreds of eyes filled with judgement. Also, when you've just wet your pants.

But I digress. Today I found myself playing with a tiny jumping spider that had decided to climb all over my arms and legs! I booped his tiny little face and then watched him clean my human filth off.

It was pretty adorable.

Everything the light touches is your kingdom...

When it lept onto my nose I didn't flail and fall off the rock I was sitting on like I normally would.

I would call this progress.

"Don't mind me. Just transversing your arm hairs. Doin' spider thangs."

Inspecting target.

annnnnnnnnd right before he launched onto my face. He got a running start.

I have to admit, I have gained a lot of respect for spiders since being in a place full of ones that can kill you. Or necropsy bits of you. Or just rip a hunk out.

I have learned that there are spider FRIENDS and spiders that need to be nuked from orbit (aka killed on sight).

Have a handy chart that I made!

Carry it with you everywhere. It will come in handy!

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Gif credit to giphy!