A couple nights ago I had a dream that makes me wonder.

I was in a room with tables set up.  Like we were setting up for some type of art show.  A group of people came up to me and they were talking to me.  I knew one of the guys in the group and hadn't seen him since college.  I went to up to him to do a little catching up.  He went to put his arm around me like he was giving me a hug.  When I mimicked the action he backed away from me.  This sequence of actions was repeated two more times.  Then I woke up.

A table indicates a social gathering. Since there are many tables, and groups of people, this dream is telling you something of large social consequence or events in a large social setting. This old friend from college may embody the feelings you had for this person, or the positive traits you saw in him... and how they transpire in other people in your waking life. There is the strange sequence of him giving you a hug, but not wanting to be hugged back by you. Hugging is an act of caring and loving someone, in this case you: that is, on the social plain people like him wish you well, care for you and wish to show you their love. Your first reaction is to return it, but he does nto accept that.
This may mean either that you need to learn to accept love and care from people, in particular men who have the same value for you as this old acquaintance does, without always feeling the need to return the gestures; or it may mean that while they love and care for you, they do not trust you can love them back, or that they make it impossible for you to return the feelings. Personally I think it may be the first case... learn to accept love and care from others without always needing to return the gesture.

Thanks for your interpretation.  It makes a lot of since.  Would there be any significance in the fact that the interaction between me and him happened 3 times in a row?

The number three indeed can have a meaning... I would look in the direction of trilogy or trinity for it... such as past - present - future

If I look at it that way.  Past, Present, and Future...I can understand the past and present.  I just can't see how the future fits in, or how it will play out.  If it is in fact pointing at the fact that I need to learn to accept love and care from others, could the large gathering be an important future event?  Or would the large gathering simply be a symbol of me meeting the person in college?

I have all sorts of questions, sorry.