Certainly its different.
The question is, if its done in a manner clearly affectionate – not merely respectful and caring – why is that ok ? It does not seem to me to be integrally different, just a question of degree.
I have heard from a huge Talmid Chochom and posek (not mine!) that such things are assur. You wouldn’t believe the examples he gave. I doubt, however, that too many poskim would go as far as he did, and so am not sure where one draws a reasonable line. I don’t think you can just go with your distinction with no source.